She refused.
Years later, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, then working in publishing, encouraged Cannon to share her story — but not just as “Cary Grant’s ex-wife.” Cannon waited until she was ready, eventually writing a memoir that she described as being:
“about relationships and what people do to themselves and each other under that canopy called love.”
Aging Under the Public Gaze
Even into her 80s, Cannon continued appearing at events and sports games, still energetic and expressive. Whenever she stepped out, cameras followed.
In recent years, photos of her sparked mixed reactions online. Many praised her:
“Looks great for 86 and walking — what more could you ask for?”
Others commented harshly on her appearance, reflecting a familiar double standard for women who age in the public eye.
At 88, she was photographed in Los Angeles, dressed casually in a white blouse, black flared leggings, a fedora, and sandals while walking her dogs — a simple moment that again ignited public chatter.
Finding Peace in Faith
Through success, heartbreak, scrutiny, and reinvention, Cannon credits one thing with keeping her grounded: her faith.
“Praying, that’s what keeps me straight,”
she has said.
Calling herself a “big God girl,” she explains that spirituality helped her make sense of a world that often didn’t.
“After some of the things I’ve been through, I couldn’t make sense out of the world, so I had to go to something that did make sense.”
Her faith is not just private. She hosts a monthly Bible study in her home and volunteers weekly with people recovering from addiction, offering encouragement and compassion drawn from her own experiences. Continue reading…