The 20-Year Romance You Forgot About
Hollywood has a funny way of rewriting history. Ask anyone today about Donna Mills’ love life and they’ll point to her decades-long, stable partnership with Larry Gilman. They’re the "goals" couple of Brentwood, tending to their private vineyard. But before the vineyard and before the peaceful golden years, there was a massive, nearly twenty-year chapter involving a man named Richard Holland.
Donna Mills and Richard Holland weren’t just a casual fling. They were one of those ubiquitous 1980s power couples that seemed to be at every red carpet event, from the Entertainment Tonight tapings to high-profile fundraisers at the 20th Century-Fox lot.
They started dating way back in 1979. It was right as Donna was about to become a household name—and a household villain—on Knots Landing. Richard was an advertising executive and the former husband of music icon Chaka Khan. He brought a certain "cool" factor, but as the years rolled on, the relationship became known as much for its turbulence as its longevity.
Why They Never Married
"I never met a man who was worth giving up my privacy for before." That’s what Donna told PEOPLE back in 1986. It’s a pretty heavy statement when you think about it. At the time, Richard had finally moved into her home, but the transition wasn't exactly smooth.
👉 See also: Alycia Debnam-Carey Age: Why Her Career Timeline Is More Surprising Than You Think
Donna was a powerhouse. She was driven, disciplined, and arguably at the peak of her professional influence. Richard? He was a bit more laid back. He once joked that he could go three months without moving. You can imagine how that dynamic played out in a house owned by one of the most hardworking women in show business.
They were the classic "on-again, off-again" archetype. Honestly, it's a miracle they lasted two decades. While the tabloids of the era were constantly looking for a ring, Donna remained fiercely independent. She didn’t believe in the traditional marriage structure. She wanted a partner, not a supervisor. She and Richard combined their lives, but they never merged their bank accounts.
Defending the "Bad Boy"
There was always a bit of a nasty rumor mill surrounding Richard. Because Donna was the bigger star and the primary breadwinner, some people treated him like he was just part of the furniture. Donna didn't stand for it. She famously recounted stories of people handing Richard her umbrella as if he were her assistant. She’d shut that down immediately.
She later admitted to AARP that she had a "thing" for bad boys in her younger years. Richard Holland definitely fit that mold of the charismatic, somewhat unpredictable partner who kept things interesting, even if things got messy.
The Turning Point: Motherhood and 1994
A lot of people think Donna Mills waited until she was single to become a mother. That’s actually a misconception. She was still with Richard when she adopted her daughter, Chloe, in 1994.
🔗 Read more: Kanye Wests Wife at Grammys: Why the Red Carpet Stunt Still Has People Talking
Donna was 54. She had spent years prioritizing the "bad boy" romance and the high-octane career. Then, something shifted. She realized a piece of the puzzle was missing. Richard was there during those early years of Chloe’s life, but the shift in Donna’s priorities—from the Hollywood scene to 4:00 AM feedings—likely accelerated the end of their long run.
They eventually split for good in 1999. No big scandal, no messy divorce (because, again, no marriage), just the natural expiration of a relationship that had probably run its course years prior.
Life After Richard
It’s tempting to look at the Richard Holland era as just a precursor to her relationship with Larry Gilman, whom she met at age 60. But that does a disservice to the twenty years she spent with Richard.
That relationship defined her "Knots Landing" years. It was the backdrop to her becoming an icon. If you look at old paparazzi photos from 1982 or 1993, Richard is almost always the man on her arm.
💡 You might also like: Liam Payne Before and After: The Transformation We All Saw But Didn't Understand
Key Takeaways from the Mills-Holland Era
- Independence is Non-Negotiable: Donna proved you can have a twenty-year "marriage" without a license or a shared checkbook.
- The Power of Protection: Even when their relationship was "turbulent," Donna was fiercely protective of Richard’s dignity against Hollywood elitists.
- Priorities Shift: The end of their relationship coincided with Donna’s decision to step away from acting to raise Chloe, proving that personal evolution often requires leaving old dynamics behind.
If you’re looking back at Donna Mills' history, don't skip the Holland years. They weren't a footnote; they were the main text for two decades of her life.
To get a true sense of this era, you can still find vintage Soap Opera Digest archives that detail their public appearances. If you're interested in how Donna transitioned from that turbulent time into her current life, looking into her 2022 AARP interview provides the most honest reflection she's ever given on why she finally traded the "bad boys" for the "good guy" she has now.