Dick Cavett’s 1972 Interview with Raquel Welch: The Secrets She Never Wanted You to Know

Raquel Welch is truly one of the most beautiful women to ever grace this planet. However, with all the attention on her looks and acting career, many people haven’t heard her speak from the heart.

That’s why, when I found her appearance on *The Dick Cavett Show*, I noticed something surprising…

First, let’s appreciate just how stunning and elegant Raquel Welch was in the early 1970s. She had no hair extensions, no Botox, and her natural hair color, without a tattoo in sight. She had a full figure, an intriguing personality, and a sharp mind. In my opinion, Welch is one of the most beautiful women to ever appear on screen.

### Underrated Genius

In a captivating 1972 interview on *The Dick Cavett Show*, Welch’s timeless beauty and elegance were clear. At about 32 years old, she radiated charm as she settled into the chair across from Dick Cavett.

The American television host, who ran *The Dick Cavett Show* from 1968 to 1988, was a skilled interviewer. He interviewed many famous film directors like Welles, Hitchcock, De Palma, and Scorsese, making each interview feel like a lesson in film.

Cavett had a talent for making his guests feel comfortable, drawing out engaging and thoughtful conversations. This interview showed Raquel in a way many had never seen — beyond her famous looks, revealing things I didn’t know about her.

### Broke Her Wrist

Welch’s appearance on *The Dick Cavett Show* was partly to promote her latest film, *Kansas City Bomber*.

In the movie, she played roller derby skater K.C. Carr — a woman trying to balance her desire for a happy personal life with her dreams of success.

The film featured many intense scenes from the matches, and according to Raquel, she performed most of her own stunts, which took a toll on her.

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Raquel explained that she had to learn how to skate from the ground up for the role. The professional skaters in the film used a track with banked turns at a 45-degree angle, which made it even more difficult.

One day while practicing, she broke her wrist, causing the production to delay filming for about eight weeks.

“I had a lot of aches and pains for a long time,” Welch admitted.

### Recognize the Dress?

Those with sharp eyes might remember Welch’s stunning blue dress from her interview with Cavett. It was the same iconic gown she wore to the Oscars just a few months earlier. Talk about a fashion statement!

Raquel was ahead of her time in recycling outfits, and her Oscars gown wasn’t the only piece she repurposed. The beautiful dress she wore to the premiere of *The Godfather* was also the same one she wore at Elizabeth Taylor’s 40th birthday celebration in Budapest back in 1972.

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Who knew Raquel was such a trendsetter long before it became a popular term?

By the way, did you know that Welch’s wardrobe for public events was very different from her personal style? People always expected her to maintain her glamorous image, and she did so perfectly. However, when she wasn’t on the red carpet, Welch preferred simple pantsuits and comfortable clothing.

### Humorous Anecdote

For decades, Welch has been known as a sex symbol, with a lot of focus on her beautiful body. Yet, few people have had the chance to hear her talk openly, especially on serious topics that show her depth beyond her famous image.

During her time on *The Dick Cavett Show*, the *One Million Years B.C.* star discussed the difference between her glamorous on-screen persona and her real-life experiences. The conversation included her public image and the expectations placed on her as a female actress in a male-dominated sport.

Raquel shared a funny story from her experience promoting *Kansas City Bomber*, recalling an interesting press conference with sports writers.

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“I had a really interesting press conference when I first came into town to promote the film with all the sports writers. They said, ‘You know, you’re a nice-sized lady and all that, but you’re not exactly what I expected.’ I replied, ‘I know I always seem to disappoint people if I walk in the door and the door hinges don’t splinter off, like I should come in with a machete or something.’”

Some people who saw her in person were surprised by her size—she is only 5 feet 5½ inches tall with a small-boned frame, elegantly complemented by broad shoulders and beautiful olive skin.

Dick Cavett then adds, “I know people walked in and looked at you, and their reaction was, ‘There’s an attractive woman.’ But many didn’t realize it was you, even though they had seen you on screen.”

### “Downright Intoxicating”

Many viewers who watched the interview later (available on YouTube) have commented on Raquel Welch’s lovely voice. It seems some have forgotten about it because of the strong focus on her stunning images and posters over the years.

One YouTube user commented, “She becomes even more attractive when she speaks, downright intoxicating!”

Another commenter added, “I love the way she speaks; there is something unique and also time-stamped about it.”

Another viewer noted, “Raquel was not only stunning to look at; she had a wonderful voice and a captivating way of speaking.”

This detail shows that Raquel’s appeal went beyond just her looks; her voice added a special charm that still resonates with audiences today.

She was very articulate and well-spoken!

### Why Was Raquel Welch So Down-to-Earth?

Raquel Welch, who got her first name from a grandmother in Bolivia and her last name from a teenage marriage, described herself as a product of middle-class America.

She never forgot her roots and always stayed connected to the part of society that wasn’t filled with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

“I’m practical, but I also have dreams of how things ideally should be,” she once said.

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In her private life, Welch was often seen in comfortable, loose-fitting sweaters and classic blue jeans, with just a touch of eye makeup. Even with her great fame, she had a sweetness and gentleness that made her feel easy to approach.

During her interview with Dick Cavett, Welch seemed very sweet, gentle, and down-to-earth.

### Suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease

Welch was truly one of the most beautiful women to ever appear on screen. Not even Kim Kardashian, with all her surgeries, could compare to her beauty.

Raquel was something special, and we should be thankful to have experienced her brilliance. Sadly, she passed away from cardiac arrest on February 15, 2023, at her home in Los Angeles, at the age of 82. At the time of her death, she was also battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Let’s remember this amazing woman through her wonderful interview with Dick Cavett — a moment when Raquel Welch was at the peak of her career. Share this story if you also admired Raquel Welch!

My 18th Birthday Surprise for My Stepmom Left Her Speechless

My 18th birthday was a day I will always remember, not just because it marked my official move into adulthood, but also because it was the day I planned to reveal a surprise for my stepmom — one that I hoped would change her life in a way she never expected.

Have you ever felt like life is one long, unscripted play, where every moment could either break you or make you stronger? My life has been a bit like that.

Navigating through the tough times of loss and new beginnings, I found myself faced with a decision that could either be a heartwarming moment or a big surprise gone wrong.

My name is Sarah, and this is the story of how my entry into adulthood became unforgettable for an unexpected reason.

When my mom passed away when I was just 11, life felt like a never-ending storm. My dad, lost in his own sadness, found hope in a new woman and eventually remarried.

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That’s how my stepmom, Olivia, came into my life. She became much more than just a new person in the house; she was a great source of support and love when I needed it.

At first, I wasn’t ready for her. I was too angry and wrapped up in my grief to see her for who she was. I remember the day she moved in — I stayed locked in my room, listening to her unpack, refusing to acknowledge that she was now part of our lives.

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I thought, how could my dad move on so quickly? How could he bring someone new into our home?

But Olivia never forced her way in. She gave me space and waited patiently until I was ready to talk. One night, I had a nightmare about my mom. I woke up crying, drenched in sweat. Olivia heard me from the hallway and quietly opened my door.

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“Sarah, sweetie, it’s okay. You’re safe,” she whispered, sitting beside me and rubbing my back gently. I didn’t push her away. For the first time, I let her comfort me, and as she held me, I felt a small warmth amid the grief.

Just like that, Olivia and I became close. She never tried to replace my mom but filled our home with a light I thought we had lost forever. “I’m here for you, always,” she’d tell me, her words soothing my aching heart.

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But life had another surprise waiting. When we lost my dad, the silence in our home was heavy. I remember sitting in the dim living room, filled with fear and uncertainty.

“I can’t imagine how hard this is for you,” Olivia said softly. “But I want you to know I’m here for you. We’re family, no matter what.”

Her words were a lifeline in my sadness. “But everyone’s saying you’ll leave… go back to your family,” I said, struggling to hold back tears. “Will I…will I go to an orphanage?”

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It wasn’t just my fear of losing her. I had heard people whispering at the funeral, speculating about how Olivia would leave now that my dad was gone. The thought terrified me. I didn’t want to be alone again.

“No, sweetie. You’re not going anywhere, and neither am I. Look at me,” she said, holding my hand in the dark. She cupped my face and kissed my forehead. “We’ll get through this together.”

For a moment, the heaviness in my chest lifted. Olivia had always been my steady anchor. She stayed by my side through every family gathering where people looked at us with pity, and through every sleepless night when grief threatened to take over. Slowly, I began to trust that she meant it when she said she wasn’t going anywhere.

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And she was right. Despite the whispers from others, she stayed, showing me that the bonds of family we choose can be just as strong as those we’re born into.

On the morning of my 18th birthday, the air was filled with excitement, not just for the usual celebrations but for a surprise I had been planning for years.

Olivia greeted me with her warm smile, one that had often brightened my mood since the day she entered our lives.

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“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” she said, handing me a small, beautifully wrapped box. Her eyes sparkled with the love and care that had become her trademark.

I took the box, my hands shaking slightly. I wasn’t nervous about the gift inside — it was the surprise I had for her that had my heart racing.

“Thank you,” I replied, feeling grateful for this woman who had stood by me through everything. “I have a surprise for you too, but… you’ll need to pack your things.”

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The look of confusion on her face was immediate. “Pack my things?” she echoed, the joy fading into uncertainty. “Are you… Are you serious?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I want you to pack your things in the next hour. You’re leaving this house.”

Her laughter, light and disbelieving at first, faded as she saw the seriousness in my eyes. “But why, dear? I thought we were a family…” Her voice trailed off, a hint of despair creeping in.

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I could feel my resolve wavering. The pain in her eyes was more than I had expected. But I couldn’t back down. Not now. Not yet.

“It’s time,” I began, feeling the weight of the moment. “I’ve been planning this since the day Dad died. You are going to another city.”

She sat at the kitchen table, her hands shaking as she reached for something to hold, but her fingers grasped at nothing. Her breath hitched as she whispered, “I don’t understand. What did I do? Why are you sending me away?”

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In a moment that felt like a scene from a movie, I loaded her things into the car and drove her to a new place, all while she sat beside me in silence, filled with confusion and sorrow.

The drive was long and quiet, filled with unspoken questions and tension. I was the first to speak.

“You didn’t know that my father opened an account in my name when I was a child, saving money for my education. Since his death, I’ve put my money from jobs and gifts into this account. Now, there’s a large sum.”

Olivia turned to me, a mix of pain and understanding in her eyes. “I understand. You’re an adult now, and you don’t need me anymore. But why are you sending me so far away? You don’t want to see me at all?”

Her voice cracked, and it felt like a dagger in my chest. I never thought this moment would hurt so much.

As we pulled up in front of a beautiful house, the surprise I had been hiding was finally ready to be revealed.

“I will use some of this money for my education,” I continued, pointing to the house. “At an Ivy League university in the city where we’re now, where I’ve already been accepted. Do you see this house?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice heavy with confusion and a hint of hope.

“I bought this house for you,” I revealed, the tension finally breaking. “There was enough money for everything. Now I will study here and you will live next door. We won’t have to be apart, and if you want, you can go back to our old house at any time, or we can return together after I finish my studies.”

She sat in stunned silence, her eyes locked on the house. “You… you bought this for me?” she whispered, her voice shaking.

Tears came then, marking the moment with emotions that words could hardly capture. We hugged, our tears mingling, showing the depth of our bond and the love that had grown between us over the years.

“I love you, Sarah,” Olivia said, her voice barely a whisper but still clear.

“I love you too,” I replied, reaching for the house keys in my bag and placing them in her hand.

It was a birthday unlike any other, marked not just by receiving gifts but by giving a future, a home, and a promise of family, no matter what life might bring.

This was our story, a stepdaughter and her stepmom, navigating life together and proving that love knows no bounds.

As we stood there, holding each other in front of her new home, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I had done it: I had given back to the woman who had given me so much.

For the first time in years, I felt like I could truly breathe, knowing we had a future together.

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