‘Did Not Recognize Her at All’: Meredith Baxter’s Latest Outing Sparks Discussion of Her ‘Natural’ Look

Clad in a cozy gray sweater and black pants, the onetime golden girl of sitcoms looked worlds away from her 1980s screen persona. Her platinum blonde locks have since evolved into a cropped, silvery-white style, her face framed with elegant maturity. Oversized black sunglasses added an air of mystery to the star’s understated look.

But when the photos hit the internet, the reaction was nothing short of an online firestorm.

‘Is That Really Her?!’ – Social Media EXPLODES Over Meredith’s Shocking Transformation

Fans could barely believe their eyes.

“Wow! I never would have known that was her! ,” exclaimed one astonished fan.

Another echoed in disbelief: “I did not recognize her at all! She looks way older than 77. I never would have guessed it was Meredith Baxter. Looks nothing like her!”

But not all reactions were harsh. In fact, a passionate wave of support rose from admirers who praised the actress’s age-positive look and refusal to go under the knife.

“Maybe unrecognizable but at 77 she’s fabulous. Smart, doesn’t looks dirty [sic],” one fan wrote, pushing back against the online criticism.

Another gushed, “I think she looks good. Natural.”

Supporters rallied to defend the Emmy-nominated actress’s authenticity:

“Worry about your age as you progress. She’s ageing [sic] gracefully without plastic surgery,” one user noted, while another chimed in, “No plastic surgery. She looks lovely for her age.“

And amid the uproar, her die-hard fans never wavered in their loyalty.

“Meredith Baxtar [sic], just amazing and beautiful as always love her,” one wrote, showing that while her appearance may have changed, her legacy remains untouchable.

Behind the Sitcom Smile: Meredith’s PRIVATE PAIN and PUBLIC COMEBACK

Before she became Elyse Keaton, America’s favorite sitcom mom on “Family Ties,” Meredith was already making her mark in 1970s Hollywood, sharing the screen with titans like Robert Redford, Jacqueline Bisset, and Lana Turner.

But it was the 1980s role that catapulted her into television immortality, playing the nurturing, progressive mother opposite Michael J. Fox’s conservative teen in a show that defined a generation.

Yet, behind the laugh track and family dinners on screen, Baxter’s real life was unraveling.

After three marriages and raising five children, she made headlines in the 2000s—not for a new role—but for coming out publicly as a lesbian, bravely reclaiming her identity in her 60s.

Her romantic history reads like a Hollywood drama. At just 19, in 1966, she married Robert Lewis Bush, with whom she had two children, Theodore Justin “Ted” Bush and Eva Whitney Bush. Their union ended in 1971.

She later fell for her “Bridget Loves Bernie” co-star, David Birney, marrying him in 1974. Their seemingly perfect union produced three children—Kathleen Jeanne “Kate” Birney, and twins Peter David Edwin and Mollie Elizabeth Birney.

But this marriage, she would later reveal, was marred by unseen trauma.

‘I Was So Angry’ – Baxter’s HARROWING Revelation of Marital Abuse

In her explosive memoir Untied, Meredith Baxter exposed the darkness behind the Hollywood façade, claiming Birney subjected her to years of verbal and emotional abuse—a torment she kept hidden even from her co-stars.

“I was so caught up [in] my own hurt, and I deserved this because everything else is so horrible. I don’t know what I was saying to myself, but I was so angry,” she admitted.

Though Birney—who passed away in 2022—vehemently denied the claims, Baxter stood firm in her truth. The pain drove her to alcoholism, and her silence masked years of internal suffering.

A chilling moment during “Family Ties“ filming revealed her torment. When co-star Michael Gross casually mentioned Birney returning from Europe, Baxter broke down in tears.

Gross, unaware of her inner struggle, thought she missed her husband. But in truth, she was paralyzed with fear.

Custody Battles and Bitterness: The Collateral Damage of Divorce

Their 1989 divorce triggered a bitter custody battle over their three children.

Birney accused Baxter of fabricating abuse claims to win custody. Ultimately, they shared custody until the children went to college, but the emotional toll lingered.

Baxter later admitted she used her children as emotional pawns, even skipping her daughter’s graduation party because Birney was attending. Instead, she demanded a separate dinner.

Looking back, she expressed deep regret for letting her feud overshadow her children’s happiness.

Still, time—and emotional work—helped them find a fragile peace. The former couple reunited at family events, including their daughter’s wedding, putting aside past grievances for their children’s sake.

From Pain to Pride: Meredith Finds HER TRUTH in Later Life

After years of guarded relationships and emotional scars, Meredith finally found peace in an unexpected place: a woman’s voice on the other end of the line.

Enter Nancy Locke, a building contractor who had no idea she was confiding in a Hollywood legend.

“She didn’t give me a last name,” Locke said of the friend who passed along Baxter’s number.

For five months, Locke poured out her soul to “Meredith” during their sobriety support calls. Little did she know, the woman offering quiet strength was the same actress she’d seen on TV.

Their connection blossomed after they finally met—at a Starbucks, naturally—and Locke realized who her mystery confidante really was.

Embarrassed but intrigued, their bond grew into love. Baxter finally felt seen, safe, and honest in a relationship.

She came out to her children, who responded with smiles, love, and full support.

‘I’m In a Loving Relationship Now’ – Meredith’s Hard-Won Happiness

“It’s hard to imagine, but even in the dark times, some wonderful things emerged: I have five beautiful children; I’m in a loving relationship now,” Baxter beamed in a heartfelt reflection.

In 2013, she married Locke—her fourth marriage, but the first that felt entirely authentic. They’ve been spotted many times since then, beaming in matching outfits, short gray hair in sync, often seen strolling through upscale Montecito or grabbing coffee hand-in-hand.

Beyond her new chapter of love, Baxter is now a doting grandmother to three grandkids and continues to cherish a warm relationship with all five of her children.

The Beauty Standard Battle: ‘Unless You Get a Lift…’

At the height of her fame, Baxter was no stranger to Hollywood’s crushing beauty standards.

She made history in 1971 as the first celebrity to utter the now-iconic L’Oréal slogan: “Because I’m Worth It.” But behind the glam, she faced enormous pressure to alter her appearance.

During a “Where Are They Now” special, she recounted a chilling moment with a producer.”Meredith, unless you get a lift, you are only going to be able to work with other women who have not had a lift,” he told her bluntly.

Baxter refused. She stood her ground, embracing her evolving appearance with grace and pride.

Throughout the years, she stuck to her favorite beauty staples—Clairol hair products during “Family Ties,” and Noxzema instead of soap, which she credited for keeping her skin soft and youthful.

No Facelifts, No Apologies – Just Meredith

Now at 77, Meredith Baxter has chosen the path fewer in Hollywood dare to walk: living life unfiltered, untouched, and unapologetically herself.

She’s not chasing youth. She’s redefining what it means to age with power, poise, and self-awareness—and she’s doing it under the glare of the spotlight.

While some fans may no longer recognize the woman once crowned America’s favorite TV mom, others see her more clearly than ever—a woman who’s survived abuse, battled addiction, found love, and reclaimed her story.

So what do YOU think? Is Meredith Baxter a fearless icon for embracing her natural beauty—or do you miss the classic sitcom star you once knew? SOUND OFF in the comments below!