When you think of Meryl Streep, you immediately picture one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood history. With an incredible 21 Academy Award nominations under her belt, she’s truly a legend. But here's the thing—her path to greatness wasn’t always smooth. Like many of us, Meryl faced her share of heartache and self-doubt before becoming the icon we all know and love today.

From New Jersey Girl to Acting Sensation

Let’s rewind for a moment. Born as Mary Louise Streep in Summit, New Jersey, Meryl grew up with a unique perspective on life. As a child, she described herself as “an ugly little kid with a big mouth—an obnoxious show-off.” Who hasn’t been there, right? But as she entered her teenage years, things started to change. She blossomed into what she called “a nice girl, pretty, athletic,” and discovered her knack for imitating people’s speech—a skill that would later become her superpower in acting.

After graduating from Vassar College and earning her MFA at Yale School of Drama, Meryl was ready to conquer the world—or at least the acting world. And boy, did she ever!

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A Love Story Cut Short

At the age of 27, Meryl met the love of her life (at least at that time): John Cazale, the talented actor who played Fredo in "The Godfather" saga. They met while performing Shakespeare’s "Measure for Measure," and it was love at first sight, despite a 14-year age gap. “He wasn’t like anybody I’d ever met,” Meryl once said. But tragically, their love story took a dark turn when John was diagnosed with terminal metastatic lung cancer in 1977. Meryl stayed by his side, holding it together until his passing at just 42 years old in March 1978.

Meryl Streep and John Cazale — Globe Photos/Mediapunch/Shutterstock

“Life is precious,” Meryl reflected after losing John. “When you’ve lost so many people, you realize that every single day is a gift.”

Love Finds Her Again

It’s often said that love finds us when we least expect it, and that’s exactly what happened for Meryl. After moving out of the apartment she shared with John, she began subletting the home of sculptor Don Gummer, a friend of her brother’s. Don and Meryl quickly bonded, and before long, they were inseparable. On September 30, 1978, just months after John’s passing, Meryl and Don tied the knot. They’ve been happily married ever since, celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary not too long ago.

“I found a great husband many years ago—I’m lucky in that way,” Meryl gushed about her husband. And lucky we are to witness such a beautiful partnership.

Building a Life Together

Meryl and Don settled down in Connecticut and started a family. Together, they have four children: Henry, 39; Mamie, 36; Grace, 33; and Louisa, 28. While Meryl pursued her acting career, Don stayed home to take care of the kids. Of course, it wasn’t always easy for Meryl. Early in her career, she struggled with self-doubt. “I was so unhappy,” she admitted. “I thought my nose was too big. I thought I was fat. Because these are the things people tell you.”

Meryl Streep and Don Gummer — David Fisher/Shutterstock

Meryl eventually overcame these insecurities, thanks in part to her three well-deserved Oscars, including her most recent win for "The Iron Lady." She fell in love with the art of playing fascinating characters, each one more challenging than the last.

Grandmotherhood: The Greatest Role Yet

Nowadays, Meryl is tackling the ultimate role: grandmother! She welcomed her first grandchild when daughter Mamie gave birth to a son with her partner, Mehar Sethi. “Motherhood, marriage, it’s a balancing act,” Meryl said. “Especially if you have a job that you consider rewarding. It’s a challenge, but the best kind of challenge.”

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