Many of us know her as Amanda Carrington from the iconic '80s TV drama Dynasty, but Catherine Oxenberg’s real-life story is just as dramatic and fascinating. Born into royalty as the daughter of Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, Catherine’s life has been anything but ordinary. Her journey into acting began with encouragement from her mother’s then-fiancé, the legendary Richard Burton. He saw something special in young Catherine and nurtured her budding talent. This early influence would set the stage for an extraordinary career that included portraying Princess Diana, a role that brought her even closer to her royal roots.
But Catherine’s life extends far beyond the screen. In real life, she turned down a marriage proposal from Prince Andrew at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Love found her later with actor Casper Van Dien, with whom she shares two daughters, Celeste and Maya. Despite their 16-year marriage ending in 2015, Catherine faced far greater challenges when her eldest daughter, India, became ensnared in the notorious NXIVM cult. Catherine's relentless fight to rescue her daughter became the subject of her memoir, Captive, and a Lifetime movie, Escaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother’s Fight to Save Her Daughter. Catherine sat down with Closer Weekly to share her incredible story.
Keep reading for our exclusive Q&A with Catherine Oxenberg!
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What Was It Like Being Part of Dynasty?
Being part of Dynasty was truly out of this world. Back then, there were only three networks, and the show had an audience of over 100 million people every week globally. That kind of reach is almost unimaginable today. It was such an honor to be a part of something so massive, and the experience was nothing short of surreal. The glitz, the glamour, and the sheer scale of it all made it feel like I was living in a dream.
Why Did You Leave Dynasty Sooner Than Expected?
Though Dynasty was a dream job, my time there was not without its challenges. I actually asked to leave because I was battling an eating disorder, which was incredibly stressful. I'd been dealing with this issue since I was 16, and by the time I was on the show, I realized I needed to focus on my health. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was necessary for my well-being.
Did the Industry Pressure You to Look a Certain Way?
Interestingly, the pressure to maintain a certain appearance wasn't as intense as you might think. The real pressure came from within. I struggled with self-esteem issues, and my father's demanding nature didn't help. He was a tough guy, and his lack of approval only added to my internal struggles. Even when I got into Harvard, he dismissed it, saying, "Oh, you're a waste of money. You're just going to get married." In a way, I was prepared for the entertainment industry because I'd already learned to deal with the lack of approval from my dad.
