“Knots Landing” star Donna Mills says her independent nature is a big reason she never married, despite being with actor Larry Gilman for 25 years.
On a recent podcast appearance, Mills, 85, talked about her relationship with Gilman, 76, whom she began dating in 2001. Marriage, she said, never felt like something she needed.
“I was always so independent,” Mills said. “I’m still very independent.”
She added that she didn’t want to feel bound by the expectations that can come with marriage, or promise to love someone forever. “I don’t know if I would do that or not,” she said with a laugh.
Mills said the subject has come up with her daughter Chloe, who recently got married and had a baby. When the host remarked that Mills didn’t look like a grandmother, she pointed to a necklace Chloe had given her, inscribed with “Grandma.”
“She gave me this, and I wear it all the time,” Mills said.
The two have also talked about what her grandson might call her. Mills suggested “Glamma,” she recalled, but Chloe wasn’t keen on the idea.
Mills adopted Chloe as a newborn in 1994, when she was 54. She met Gilman seven years later and has described him as a kind and funny person. In a 2022 interview, she said she felt lucky to have found him, even if it happened later in life.
Before Gilman, Mills had an on-and-off relationship of about 20 years with advertising executive Richard Holland, who was previously married to singer Chaka Khan. Asked why she had never married, Mills joked, “I don’t remember anyone ever getting down on one knee.”
She also said that by the time she and Gilman met, they were both established in their lives. Combining everything, including their finances, didn’t seem practical, so they built a life together while keeping those parts separate. “It’s much cleaner, much better,” she said.
For Mills, being able to support herself has always brought a sense of security. She wants a partner to share her life with, she explained, but also wants to know she can manage on her own if needed.
“And really, I had enough marriages as Abby!” she added, referring to Abby Cunningham, the character she played on “Knots Landing.” Mills portrayed the glamorous, ruthless character from 1980 to 1989. Abby married four times on the series, though one marriage was annulled almost immediately.
Mills and Gilman share a home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, where they also have a vineyard. Gilman planted it for her, Mills said in a 2015 interview. The couple later started Mandeville Vineyards, a small wine brand made with grapes grown on their property.
Mills also spoke recently about requests she has received from subscribers to her OnlyFans account, which she launched in July. Some people asked to see her stomping grapes barefoot in the vineyard. She said she planned to do it, but found it difficult to film herself while stomping.
“I think it’s really funny and fun,” Mills said, adding that she wanted to share the idea with her fans.
