Michele Lee Shows Timeless Beauty in the Pool She Is Happy with Her Son & Grandkid after F

Publish date: 2024-06-28

Michele Lee | David Farentino | Source: Getty Images | instagram.com/themichelelee

For 15 years, Michele Lee was a constant across television screens. Portraying the matriarchal Karen MacKenzie in "Knots Landing" changed Lee's life by introducing her to a whole cast of people who would ultimately become almost as close as family.

When she initially took the role, she never imagined she would be starring in a hit show for more than a decade. Nonetheless, the show took off, and Lee portrayed the role of Karen MacKenzie throughout the entirety of the show's lifetime. However, Lee had another family to take care of once the show ended.

Michele Lee in "Knots Landing," 1982 | Source: Getty Images

Lee's first husband was a fellow actor named James Farentino. The two married in 1966, but decided to go their separate ways in 1983. Lee confessed that she and her first husband had a shaky relationship, but once they divorced, they managed to reconnect and rebuild their friendship.

With Lee's son grown up and a father to his own kids, the actress assumed the role of the doting granny.

It was paramount to have a good relationship after the divorce since Lee and her ex had had a child together. The two actors had welcomed a boy into the world, whom they named David Farentino. Lee commented that having Farentino changed her life completely. He became her priority, and she had to balance working and being a mom.

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

The actress commented that she had to consider her son before everything she did. Even her choice of job was influenced by Farentino since she had to be sure she'd be able to look after him while working. If she was required to travel, she had to be certain that there would be space for her little boy as well.

Now, Farentino is all grown up and Lee is retired from show business, but the mother-son duo is still as close as ever. The actress recently shared a photo of her and Farentino on Instagram, showing the two smiling at the camera, with Lee leaning happily on her son's shoulder. She captioned it, "Happy Fathers Day !!!"

Fans were glad to see Lee and her son spending time together, and many commented on Farentino's looks. One person wrote, "OMG! YOUR SON [looks] LIKE A MINI YOU! HANDSOME TOO. HAPPY BELATED FATHER'S DAY!😀😍." Another fan commented, "So handsome," while another gushed, "Love this photo!"

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

Many fans agreed that Lee and her son looked wonderful together, and one fan praised the actress, "Another great pic Michele. Happy Father's David. You really are Karen MacKenzie, the one character that really was all about family. Your role was really just you, playing yourself. ❤️."

Lee's Life as a Grandmother

With Lee's son grown up and a father to his own kids, the actress assumed the role of the doting granny. However, despite being 81 and a grandmother, she still looks excellent for her age. On June 19, 2023, the actress shared a picture of her and Chloe Gosselin enjoying a swim in the Bahamas.

In 1987, Lee settled down with her second husband, Fred Rappoport, with whom she would spend the rest of her life.

The Instagram post showed Lee alongside Gosselin as they enjoyed a dip in a swimming pool. Gosselin held the camera while showing her teeth with a big grin, while Lee peaked out from beneath her glasses with a smile. Lee captioned the post, "Bathing beauties of the Bahamas having splashy good fun."

Fans were overjoyed to see Lee still looking good at her age and thanked her for the years of entertainment she gave them. One fan wrote, "You were always so nice to me when I saw you in NYC> a friend of mine told me he has dinner with you when you are in town. Don't get me wrong I am not a jealous person but OK I am a bit jealous! lol."

Other fans chimed in, praising her looks. One person commented, "Hello beautiful 😍," while another called the actress a "Timeless beauty." Lee's Instagram profile was also abuzz on Father's Day when the actress shared images of her son and her grandchild together, praising Farentino for his devotion as a dad.

One picture showed Farentino and his kid underneath a tree. While the little one sat down, the proud dad leaned in for a loving kiss. Lee captioned the picture, "Happy Father's Day kisses ❤️💕❤️." Naturally, fans were glad to see the family doing well, with one person commenting, "Precious moment ❤️."

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

A comment from a user, 2023 | Source: instagram.com/themichelelee

Besides spending her retirement as a granny, Lee also enjoys her time with her husband. On June 24, co-worker Jim Caruso marked Lee's birthday with an Instagram post showing them together. He lovingly captioned the post, "Happy Birthday to the divine @themichelelee!"

Lee's Love Life

Following her divorce from her first husband, Lee landed a role opposite him in the CBS Sunday film "When No One Would Listen." The two reconciled after the split and commented that even though they had gone their separate ways, they still viewed themselves as a family unit, working together and supporting each other.

The two elaborated on why they managed to stay so close over the years, saying they had known each other since they were 20, and they never detested each other, even when they were fighting. The pair insisted that they couldn't forget the 18 years they spent together.

Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, and Michelle Lee in 1982 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Michele Lee on "Knot's Landing," July 1980 | Source: Getty Images

After their divorce, both Lee and her ex-husband moved on with their lives, settling down with other people. That said, Lee and her ex never lost the bond that they had formed over the years and maintained a healthy friendship.

In 1987, Lee settled down with her second husband, Fred Rappoport, with whom she would spend the rest of her life. Although Lee and her ex moved on with their lives, they built good relationships with each other's new spouses as well, ensuring a close family bond between all of them.

Later in life, Lee would once more take up acting, starring in a few stage productions. She performed in "Love, Loss & What I Wore" in 2010, and graced the stage with her presence again in 2014. She also turned her attention to other TV projects.

Michele Lee in "Circus of the Stars," on December 18, 1983 | Source: Getty Images

Michele Lee on April 10, 2022 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

In 2020, the actress shared that she was hoping to direct a short documentary but refused to elaborate on the nature of the project. Lee rekindled her friendship with other women from the "Knots Landing" cast, working together to do interviews in theatres all over the U.S. Lee commented happily, "So I'm in a wonderful place!"

ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jm1ncG5oaXqutcKhnKWdXaGypnnSoaawq12ptq6xy56qrGWSmq62wNhmoKdlpJ2yb7TTpqM%3D