She is without a doubt a true Hollywood legend.
Born and raised in Beverly Hills, she married Tinseltown’s top producer when she was just 23 and remained by his side as he dominated the television industry for decades.
Now at age 80, she’s enjoying her fourth chapter as a socialite and philanthropist, and of course, as a doting grandmother to her seven grandchildren.
She is Candy Spelling, wife of the late producer Aaron Spelling and mother to actress Tori Spelling.
Despite her star status, some of Candy’s longtime fans had trouble recognizing her on the cover of the latest issue of Westlake Malibu Lifestyle magazine.
Candy Spelling, 80, looks completely unrecognizable on the cover of Westlake Malibu Lifestyle magazine
Her long blonde hair and surprisingly youthful complexion had some people confusing Candy for celebrities half her age.
‘Is Candy in the room with us? It looks like Trisha Paytas,’ commented one.
‘I thought this was the gorgeous queen of Potomac, Gizelle Bryant,’ wrote another.
A third added, ‘Khloe Kardashian looks incredible.’
Speaking to the publication about her life with late husband Aaron, Candy admitted that she struggled to find herself after the legendary producer died in 2006.
‘For almost four decades, my job was to raise our two beautiful children, entertain, and create the stable homelife Aaron needed so he could be out there in the Hollywood trenches,’ she shared.
‘When Aaron died, I not only lost my life partner, but I was also suddenly missing the force of nature who had defined me and our family,’ she continued.
‘For the first time in 38 years, I had to learn to function in the big, scary world on my own.’
The 80-year-oldis pictured at the MOCA Gala in Los Angeles in May, 2025
Candy is pictured with daughter Tori and late husband Aaron in 2002
After Aaron’s passing, Candy reinvented herself as a successful Broadway producer.
Her work earned a Tony Award for 2016’s The Color Purple, which starred Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson.
As for her personal life, it’s no secret that Candy has had a rocky relationship with her only daughter Tori, but the pair have become closer since Tori split from Dean McDermott in 2023 after 18 years together.
‘I love my daughter, and I support her in whatever she does. I support my daughter, what can I tell you?’ Candy told TMZ at the time.
She also said that she would be willing to help Tori with financial support if her daughter needed it.
In November, Tori and Dean agreed to tackle their debts together, including the $1.7million they owe in back taxes.
Candy and Tori have had had a rocky relationship in the past, but appear to have become closer in recent years
A young Candy is pictured with little Tori when she was still a child
According to Us Weekly, the exes also reached a settlement on their own that prioritized their children.
Tori, 52, and Dean, 58, agreed to waive spousal support for both parties, according to court papers filed on November 3.
The former couple also agreed to waive child support and share custody of their five children, Liam, 18, Stella, 17, Hattie, 14, Finn, 13, and Beau, 8.
Tori is currently taking some time out of the spotlight due to a mystery illness.
In December, she was forced to cancel a live show in Las Vegas due to her health, and in the last two weeks Denise Richards and Brian Green have stepped in as fill-in hosts on her podcast, Miss Spelling.
