Candice Bergen rose to fame as the sharp-tongued journalist Murphy Brown on CBS, earning five Emmy Awards across a decade. Born May 9, 1946, in Los Angeles, she spent six decades mastering acting, modeling, photography, and painting. At 79 years old in 2025, Bergen’s life reveals how she channeled early beauty into comedic brilliance.
Her journey wasn’t conventional. She grew up competing with Charlie McCarthy, her father’s wooden dummy, for attention in Beverly Hills. Bergen evolved from reluctant fashion model to television icon, proving women over 40 could dominate Hollywood and redefine cultural expectations.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Candice Patricia Bergen |
| Date of Birth | May 9, 1946 |
| Age | 79 years old (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Photojournalist, Painter |
| Famous Role | Murphy Brown (CBS, 1988-1998, 2018) |
| Emmy Awards | 5 wins for Outstanding Lead Actress |
| First Marriage | Louis Malle (1980-1995) |
| Second Marriage | Marshall Rose (2000-2025) |
| Children | Chloe Malle (born 1985) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $50 million (2025) |
Early Life and Education
Candice Patricia Bergen entered the world on May 9, 1946, as daughter of legendary ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and model Frances Bergen. Her Beverly Hills childhood was privileged yet peculiar. The famous dummy Charlie McCarthy received more fan mail than her father, creating an unusual sibling rivalry with a wooden puppet.
“To have a world-famous dummy as a brother and be referred to until now as Charlie McCarthy’s sister, it has an impact,” Bergen wrote in her 2015 memoir A Fine Romance. Edgar Bergen’s will left $10,000 to Charlie with the note “from whom I have never been separated even for a day” but nothing to Candice according to CBS News. This shaped her complex views on fame and identity from childhood.
Bergen attended Westlake School for Girls before enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania. She became Homecoming Queen despite minimal academic effort. Among her classmates was Donald Trump, who took her on a date that ended by 9 PM and was “really a dud,” according to Bergen’s recollection.
She failed two courses—art and opera—and left Penn after sophomore year. The University of Pennsylvania awarded her an honorary doctorate in 1992, bringing closure to her abbreviated education. Her early struggles didn’t predict the intellectual depth she’d later bring to comedic acting.
Breaking Into Hollywood
Bergen worked as a Vogue cover model before acting, her Grace Kelly-style beauty opening doors in fashion modeling. Director Sidney Lumet, a family friend, cast her in The Group (1966) while she was still in college. The ensemble film about Vassar graduates gave Bergen her first taste of screen success.
Her striking appearance led to roles opposite Steve McQueen in The Sand Pebbles (1966) and Yves Montand in Claude Lelouch’s Live for Life (1967). She struggled being perceived as just a beautiful face. “People see you as an object, not as a person, and they project a set of expectations onto you,” she explained.
Her father warned her about beauty from age 10, saying beautiful women commit suicide. This warning made Bergen cautious about relying solely on appearance. She sought roles requiring talent beyond looks.
Film Career Evolution
Bergen’s early films included The Magus (1968), The Adventurers (1970), and Oliver’s Story (1978). Many disappointed critics and audiences. She felt trapped by dramatic actress typecasting when her true talents lay elsewhere.
Mike Nichols’s Carnal Knowledge (1971) let her shine alongside Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel. Her breakthrough came playing Burt Reynolds’s tone-deaf ex-wife in Starting Over (1979). Her deadpan rendition of “Better Than Ever,” sung with complete sincerity despite being terrible, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
“I sang ‘Better Than Ever’ and it was the first time that I had ever been asked to be funny, and I was just in heaven,” Bergen said. Comedy became her calling. Hollywood finally recognized what she’d known all along.
Murphy Brown Revolution
In 1988, at age 42, Bergen became Murphy Brown, the hard-driving television journalist who would define her career. Created by Diane English, the CBS comedy premiered to immediate acclaim. Bergen’s sharp timing resonated with audiences tired of seeing women in supportive roles.
Between 1989 and 1998, Bergen received seven Emmy nominations, winning five times. After her fifth win, she declined future nominations—showing grace and awareness others deserved recognition. She became the highest-paid actor on television during the show’s run.
Murphy Brown transcended entertainment in 1992 when Vice President Dan Quayle criticized the show for “mocking the importance of fathers.” The writers had Murphy watch Quayle’s speech and dump potatoes at his residence—referencing his infamous “potatoe” spelling error. This moment made the show a flashpoint in America’s culture wars and cemented its place in television history.
Television Legacy
Murphy Brown ran ten seasons, making Bergen a television star. Beyond her signature role, Bergen joined Boston Legal in 2005 as Shirley Schmidt, reuniting with William Shatner. The role earned two additional Emmy nominations and introduced her comedy to younger viewers.
CBS revived Murphy Brown in 2018 addressing contemporary politics and changing media. The 13-episode reboot was canceled after one season in May 2019, unable to recapture original magic. Bergen continued in Book Club (2018) and Let Them All Talk (2020).
Bergen became the first female host of Saturday Night Live on April 24, 1976. She later joined the prestigious Five-Timers Club in 1990 after hosting five times. Lorne Michaels described her first hosting expression as “like Patty Hearst when the Symbionese Liberation Army rang her doorbell.”
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Personal Relationships
Bergen dated extensively in the 1960s and 1970s, including Terry Melcher, Doris Day’s son. They lived at 10050 Cielo Drive in Beverly Hills—the house later leased to Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski where Manson Family murders occurred in 1969. Bergen and Melcher had moved to Malibu before the tragedy.
At 34, Bergen met French film director Louis Malle at a dinner party where they barely spoke. A second encounter led to a four-hour lunch at the Russian Tea Room, and they married September 27, 1980, at his family estate in France. Bergen gave birth to Chloe Françoise Malle in November 1985 at age 39.
Louis Malle was diagnosed with untreatable lymphoma in the mid-1990s. Bergen worked on Murphy Brown while caring for her dying husband. He died at 63 on Thanksgiving Day, 1995, ending fifteen years of marriage.
Bergen didn’t date for three years. In June 2000, she married Manhattan real estate developer Marshall Rose, introduced by friends Don Hewitt and Marilyn Berger. According to the New York Times obituary Marshall Rose died at 88 on February 15, 2025, from Parkinson’s disease complications, weeks before their 25th anniversary.
Creative Work Beyond Acting
Bergen pursued photojournalism seriously, publishing in Life Magazine, Playboy, and Esquire. She used photography as an alternative identity to acting. “I felt challenged. I felt engaged. I had ability,” she said about her journalism work.
She appeared on The Muppet Show in Season 1, while Edgar Bergen appeared in Season 2. They remain the only parent-child duo to guest star separately. Bergen made her Broadway debut replacing Sigourney Weaver in David Rabe’s Hurlyburly (1984), later starring in Gore Vidal’s The Best Man (2012) and Love Letters (2014) with Alan Alda.
In 2016, at 70, Bergen began painting pet portraits on designer handbags using paint pens. Her “Bergenbags” business, overseen by daughter Chloe, sells handbags for $1,000 with proceeds benefiting charity. Clients include Barbra Streisand and Lena Dunham.
Awards and Recognitions
Bergen won five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Murphy Brown. She voluntarily withdrew from consideration after her fifth win, demonstrating rare Hollywood humility. Her Academy Award nomination for Starting Over (1979) showed her range.
Bergen became the first woman in SNL’s Five-Timers Club in 1990. She later made cameos welcoming new members including Jonah Hill, John Mulaney, and Emma Stone. The University of Pennsylvania awarded her an honorary doctorate in 1992.
The Television Critics Association nominated Bergen for Career Achievement in 1998. Her work on Murphy Brown’s breast cancer storyline earned widespread praise for increasing mammogram screenings by 38% nationwide, demonstrating television’s power beyond entertainment.
Candice Bergen’s Net Worth
Bergen’s estimated net worth in 2025 stands at approximately $50 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. This wealth comes from her television career, particularly as the highest-paid actor during Murphy Brown’s peak. She earned substantial salaries she “went to a lot of trouble to keep quiet.”
Income also includes Boston Legal, the Murphy Brown reboot, and films like Book Club and its sequel. Bergen served as Sprint spokesperson from 1991 to 1998 in their “Dime Lady” campaign. This endorsement deal was among the era’s most lucrative.
Her Bergenbags business and memoir A Fine Romance sales contribute to income. Late husband Marshall Rose was a successful real estate developer, though Bergen maintained financial independence. She chooses projects based on artistic merit over paycheck size.
Current Life and Family
Bergen’s daughter Chloe Malle followed a journalism career, becoming a Vogue editor. In September 2025, Anna Wintour named Chloe editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, replacing Wintour after 37 years. This makes Chloe one of fashion media’s most powerful figures.
Bergen became a grandmother at 74 when Chloe gave birth to Arthur Louis Albert on May 19, 2020. Her second grandchild, Alice Malle Albert, arrived April 1, 2022. Bergen and Chloe call each other “Bunny,” maintaining closeness despite busy careers.
Following Marshall Rose’s February 2025 death, Bergen faces her second widowhood. She remains active in philanthropic work through Bergenbags charity sales. At 79, she works selectively while focusing on family.
Cultural Impact
Murphy Brown showed America that women could be ambitious, flawed, funny, and admirable simultaneously. The character was a feminist television milestone influencing how networks portrayed professional women. Bergen’s willingness to play someone difficult opened doors for complex female characters.
Her clash with Dan Quayle over family values defined 1990s culture wars. The show’s response—dumping potatoes referencing his spelling error—demonstrated television’s power in political discourse. This elevated Murphy Brown from sitcom to cultural phenomenon.
Bergen participated in the 1967 Yippie protest led by Abbie Hoffman, throwing dollar bills onto the New York Stock Exchange floor. She fundraised for George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign, showing she wasn’t afraid of public political stances during turbulent times.
Conclusion
Candice Bergen’s six-decade career defies categorization. She moved from reluctant model to photographer, dramatic actress to comedic icon, tabloid subject to respected artist. Her transformation demonstrates persistence and self-knowledge in building lasting success.
Bergen’s greatest achievement showed beautiful women could be intelligent, funny, and authoritative. Murphy Brown changed American television by proving audiences wanted complex female characters. Her honesty about aging and personal struggles makes her relatable despite Hollywood success.
At 79, Bergen has lived through two marriages, raised a daughter now leading Vogue, and maintained relevance across generations. “I am who I am. I’m not sure why I am who I am, but that’s why I made a commitment to be open,” she said. Her willingness to present herself without pretense may be her most radical act.
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FAQ About Candice Bergen
What is Candice Bergen’s net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth Bergen’s estimated net worth is approximately $50 million from her television career, films, and endorsements.
How tall is Candice Bergen?
She stands 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall.
Who was Candice Bergen married to?
She married Louis Malle (1980-1995) and Marshall Rose (2000-2025), both ending in widowhood.
Does Candice Bergen have children?
Yes, she has one daughter, Chloe Malle, born November 1985, now Vogue’s editor-in-chief.
How many Emmy Awards did Candice Bergen win?
She won five Emmy Awards for Murphy Brown, then voluntarily withdrew from future nominations.
Is the Murphy Brown reboot still on?
No, CBS canceled it in May 2019 after one season.
What is Bergenbags?
Bergen’s business painting pet portraits on designer handbags, with proceeds going to charity.
Was Candice Bergen the first female SNL host?
Yes, she hosted on April 24, 1976, and became the first woman in the Five-Timers Club.
What happened to Marshall Rose?
He died at 88 on February 15, 2025, from Parkinson’s complications.
Did Candice Bergen date Donald Trump?
Yes, they went on one date at University of Pennsylvania that ended early and was uneventful.
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a passionate writer with over 4 years of experience in lifestyle, biography, and internet culture content. I specialize in creating engaging, easy-to-read articles that simplify modern trends, slang, and real-life stories for every reader. My goal is to make complex topics relatable, offering well-researched insights and fresh perspectives that keep readers informed, inspired, and connected.