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!

While My Friend Was on a Trip, I Discovered Her Husband Was Cheating and Plotting to Steal Her House, but She Turned on Me Instead — Story of the Day

When my best friend left town for a work trip, she asked me to watch her house. I agreed, not knowing I’d uncover her husband’s betrayal—and his secret plan to take everything from her. But when I told her the truth, she didn’t thank me. She accused me instead.

They said friends were the family you chose. I used to believe that with all my heart. Jessica had been my best friend since college, and even after all these years, we remained close.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

We’d laughed, cried, and shared almost everything. But my intuition had never screamed louder than the day I met Mark, Jessica’s husband. Something about him felt wrong.

Cold eyes with a warm smile. Like someone pretending to be kind but hiding something darker underneath. I didn’t like him then. And I liked him even less now.

One day, Jessica and I were sitting on her porch, like we had so many times before.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The air was soft with late spring heat, warm but not heavy, and her cat, Taco, sprawled on the sunlit tiles like royalty, one paw twitching in a dream.

Jessica stirred honey into her tea, slow and quiet. Then she looked up at me with that guilty little smile I knew all too well—the kind she wore when she wanted something but didn’t want to ask.

“I need a favor,” Jessica said. Her voice was soft, like she already knew I wouldn’t like what was coming.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. “What kind of favor?”

She avoided my eyes. “I’m flying to New York next week. Big marketing pitch. I’ll be gone five days.”

I waited. She still hadn’t asked anything real.

“Could you check in on the house?” she added. “Feed Taco, water the plants, maybe bring in the mail. Just keep it from looking empty.”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I raised an eyebrow. “And your husband? What’s he doing while you’re gone?”

She looked down at her tea. “He said it’s not really his thing.”

I blinked. “What’s not his thing?”ly

“Taking care of the house. Feeding the cat. He said it’s not a man’s job.”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I scoffed and shook my head. “So, he can close real estate deals and wear cufflinks before noon, but a can of cat food is too much?”

Her jaw tightened. “Mark’s just not domestic. That’s just how he is.”

I leaned forward. “Jess, I love you. You know that. But you’re doing it again.”

She frowned. “Doing what?”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“You’re making excuses for him. Again. He doesn’t do much, but you keep defending him. Why?”

Her voice got louder. “You’ve never liked him. From day one. You always look for reasons to hate him.”

“I had reasons, Jess. I still do. My gut said no the moment I met him.”

She pointed a finger at me. “You’re alone, Lee. And that’s not his fault.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I flinched. That one hit hard, but I kept my voice steady. “You think I’m jealous? You think I want your life?”

She stood up and crossed her arms. “You never gave him a chance. You decided you didn’t like him before you even heard him speak.”

Before I could answer, the sliding door opened behind her. Mark walked out like he owned the world. Crisp polo. Perfect hair. Phone in hand, thumbs tapping.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What are we talking about?” he said. “Me again?”

“Just your refusal to feed the cat,” I said.

He gave that smug smile I hated. “I delegate where it makes sense. It’s called efficiency.”

I turned to Jessica. “He hasn’t looked up from that phone. Who’s he texting so much?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“It’s work,” she said. “He has a big client. Real estate.”

I stared at his screen. “Must be a very flirty deal.”

Jessica slammed her glass down. “Enough. If you’re going to keep insulting him, maybe you shouldn’t help.”

I sighed. “I said I’d do it, and I will. For you. Not for him.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mark looked up. “Try not to rearrange the furniture.”

I smiled. “Wouldn’t want to upset your kingdom.”

But I was already planning to keep my eyes open.

It was late afternoon when I pulled into Jessica’s driveway. The sky looked strange—dark clouds rolled in slow, and the air felt still, like it was waiting for something bad to happen.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I parked and walked up the steps. The back door key was warm in my hand. I unlocked it and stepped inside.

Taco was there right away, rubbing against my leg, purring loud like always. He had no idea what was going on.

I bent down and gave him a quick scratch behind the ears. “Hey, buddy,” I whispered. “Let’s get you some food.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

I filled his bowl and poured some water, then walked around the kitchen. I checked the plants in the window and the mail on the counter. Everything looked normal. Too normal. That’s when I heard it.

Laughter.

A man’s voice—Mark. And then a woman’s laugh followed.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I froze at the bottom of the stairs. My heart pounded. I moved slowly, quietly as I could. The bedroom door was open just a little. I stepped closer and peeked in.

Mark was on the bed. Half his shirt was unbuttoned. Next to him was a woman wearing Jessica’s robe, sipping from her favorite glass like she owned the place.

“I told you it would work,” Mark said. He raised his glass and took a sip. “She signed it without reading. Didn’t even ask questions. Just trusted me like always.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The woman laughed. “Are you sure this gives you the house?”

Mark leaned back against the pillows. “Yes. Once I get it notarized on Friday, it’s done. She thinks it’s just boring bank papers. Something about refinancing. I made it sound simple.”

The woman looked around the room. “What about all her stuff? Clothes? Books?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He waved his hand. “We’ll throw out what we don’t want. Maybe sell a few things. I already packed some boxes. The rest is trash. The cat’s going too.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Wow. She’s going to be crushed.”

Mark smirked. “She won’t be. We’ll be long gone before she knows. I’ve been looking at condos in Miami. Pool, gym, all that. This place will be listed by the time she gets back.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I felt sick. I couldn’t listen anymore. My foot hit the edge of the stairs. A soft creak.

Mark’s head turned. “Did you hear that?” he asked, voice sharp.

I didn’t wait. I ran. Down the stairs. Out the back door. Into my car. My hands shook as I grabbed my phone. I hit Jessica’s name.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Lee?” she answered. “What’s going on?”

“There’s a woman in your house. With Mark. I saw them. I heard everything. He tricked you into signing papers. He’s stealing your house.”

She didn’t answer right away.

Then she said, “You’re lying.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I’m not. Jess, please believe me—”

“You’ve always hated him. You’ve been waiting for a reason to tear us apart. You’re jealous. And now you’re making up stories.”

“No, I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to protect you.”

Her voice turned cold. “Don’t call me again.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Click. The line went dead.

Later that evening, my doorbell rang. I opened it. Mark stood there. Calm. Hands in his pockets.

“She told me everything,” he said. “About your little story.”

I didn’t blink. “I’m not afraid of you.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He stepped closer. “You should be. Keep pushing, and someone’s going to get hurt.”

I knew Jessica wouldn’t believe me unless she saw everything with her own eyes. Words wouldn’t be enough.

Not even tears would move her. Jessica was too in love with him. Too loyal. Too proud.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

She wouldn’t walk away without something solid. Proof she could touch. Proof she couldn’t explain away.

That’s why I did something I hated—something that felt cold and cruel, but also right.

I downloaded a fake call app. I set it up to look like the hospital was calling her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The message said I had been in a car accident. It said I was in the emergency room and not waking up.

I knew it was wrong to scare her like that, but it was the only thing that would pull her back fast.

And it worked.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Six hours later, there was a knock at my door. Jessica stood there, breathing hard. Her hair was messy. Her eyes were wide. She looked like she had run the whole way.

“Are you okay?” Jessica asked as she rushed inside. Her face was pale, and her breath came fast. She looked like she had been crying.

“I’m fine,” I said. “There was no accident. I’m not hurt. I made it up.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“You lied to me?” she shouted. Her voice shook. “What the hell, Lee? Why would you do that?”

“Because you wouldn’t listen,” I said. “You wouldn’t hear me. I had to bring you back. I needed you to see it for yourself.”

She stared at me, her eyes wide and full of pain. For a moment, I thought she might hit me. But then she took a deep breath and said, “Okay. Show me.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

We drove to her house. Neither of us spoke. The silence felt heavy.

When we reached her block, I parked a few houses down. We got out and walked slowly. At her window, we stopped and looked inside.

Mark was on the couch with the same woman. They were kissing like they didn’t have a care in the world.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Jessica didn’t speak. She took out her phone. Her hands shook, but she snapped photo after photo. Her jaw tightened.

“I want to go inside,” she said.

We walked to the door. It was unlocked.

Inside, everything was different. The scent of her favorite candle was gone.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The hallway was cold and quiet. Black trash bags lined the wall. Boxes were stacked on top of each other.

Sharp words written across them: “JUNK,” “DONATE,” “TRASH.” Her life was being packed away like it meant nothing.

Jessica’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “Mark!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He turned around fast, eyes wide. “Jessica? What the hell are you doing here?”

She stepped forward. Her voice was loud. Her hands were tight fists at her sides. “What am I doing here? Are you serious? You liar! You cheat! You’re throwing away my life like it’s trash!”

The woman on the couch jumped up. She grabbed her purse and started moving toward the door. “I’ll just—”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Sit down!” Jessica snapped. “I’m not finished.”

Mark raised both hands. “Jess, wait. This isn’t what it looks like.”

She laughed, but it sounded sharp and cold. “Not what it looks like? You’re kissing another woman in my house! She’s wearing my robe. Drinking from my glass. You tossed my things in garbage bags. And you’re telling her my house is yours now?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mark looked nervous. “You signed the papers. You didn’t even read them.”

“You tricked me,” Jessica said. Her voice was shaking now. “You told me it was for refinancing. You stood in front of me and lied.”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. They’re signed. It’s legal. It’s done. You just ruined everything.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Then he turned to me and pointed. “This is her fault. Lee. She’s been against me from the start. She poisoned your mind.”

Jessica took one step toward him. “No, Mark. You did this all by yourself. Lee told the truth. You think you can break me? You think you can take everything I own and leave me with nothing?”

She shook her head. “You’ll be left with nothing. Just your ego. And that won’t help you now.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Mark’s face twisted. “You’ll regret this.”

“No,” Jessica said. Her voice was calm now. “You will.”

She pointed at the door. “Get out. Both of you. I don’t want to see either of you in this house again.”

The woman ran out first. She didn’t look back. Mark stood there a second longer.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His jaw was tight. His fists clenched. Then he turned and walked out. He slammed the door behind him.

Jessica didn’t move. She didn’t cry. She didn’t scream. She just stood there. Still and quiet.

I looked at her. “You’re awfully calm.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She turned to me. “Because I already knew. I’ve felt it for a while. I knew he was cheating. I saw the strange paperwork. I just didn’t want to believe it. I needed proof.”

“You could’ve told me,” I said.

“I didn’t want it to feel fake,” she said. “I needed him to think I still trusted him. And I needed you to act normal. You did.”

I nodded. “So… you used me?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She shook her head. “No. I trusted you. Even when I acted like I didn’t. You stood by me.”

“I always will,” I said.

She gave me a small smile. Then she looked at the bags and boxes. “Let’s clean this up. I’ve got a life to rebuild.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: When I found out my husband and my best friend were having an affair, I thought nothing could hurt more. But then my own mother asked me to hand over my children to them — as if I didn’t matter at all. I was broken, but I knew one thing: I wouldn’t let them win.

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