Could it be that the heart knows no age limit? Jane Seymour certainly thinks so. At 74, the beloved “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” star is beaming with happiness due to finding a deeply committed relationship she earlier thought was out of reach. “I honestly never thought I would find a really committed, healthy, lovely, loving relationship at this time of my life, but I’m incredibly blessed that I have,” she confessed as her voice bridged with gratitude. Her partner, John Zambetti-an emergency room doctor and musician-is 76 years old and came into her life two years ago, timing that she insists was just perfect. “I think we met each other at exactly the right time,” she said.
Their meeting was as serendipitous as it was heartwarming. It wasn’t through online dating-Seymour laughs that technology is “too complicated – I can kill a computer just by looking at it!” but through their children and a shared connection with musician Shwayze, whom Seymour calls their “mutual best friend.” She has known Shwayze since he was seven, describing herself as his “surrogate mother,” while Zambetti has long been his “surrogate father.” When they finally crossed paths at one of Shwayze’s concerts, sparks quietly began to fly.
Both came with rich life stories to share: Seymour has six children, including stepchildren; Zambetti had two from his 43-year marriage. They’ve each lived “many lives,” as Seymour says careers, families, triumphs, and challenges. That depth of experience, experts note, can strengthen later-life relationships by fostering empathy, patience, and a clear sense of what truly matters. As Seymour explained, “You know what you want.”
Their bond is also rooted in mutual curiosity and support. When they first met, Zambetti had never seen her work. One of the first things he did is say, ‘I want to see what you do,’ she recalled, amused that she herself hasn’t watched much of her own career-defining series because she was “too busy doing it.” In return, she’s embraced his music, sometimes even adding background vocals at his gigs, while he’s appeared in the background of her series “Harry Wild.”
Beyond companionship, Seymour is forthright about the role of intimacy in their relationship. “In my parents’ generation, and I think a lot of people, they reach a certain age and they go, ‘That’s not part of our life any more, and it’s not necessary.’ I just think, with maturity, you understand your body, you understand what feels good and you have knowledge, so put it down to that,” Seymour said. This echoes findings showing that many adults aged 65 to 80 continue to value closeness and connection, dispelling the old notion that affection diminishes with age.
Psychologists say that embracing intimacy in later life can enhance emotional well-being, build deeper trust, and even have salutary effects on physical health. As in the story of Claudette, highlighted in a recent relationship study, letting go of self-criticism and embracing self-compassion can transform not only how one feels about their body but also how one connects with a partner. Seymour’s openness reflects that same liberation: a willingness to say “yes” to joy in all its forms.
Still, their relationship also thrives on small, consistent gestures. They celebrate each “month-iversary” with roses, a ritual born from their awareness that time is precious. “We’re just so grateful for every minute we have together,” Seymour said. This practice echoes advice from relationship experts who emphasize that shared rituals can help anchor couples in appreciation and connection, however uninvolved that might seem.
To so many, the story of Seymour is a reminder that later-in-life love is not some consolation prize; it’s richer, freer, and somehow more real. It’s about two people who lived, learned deeply, and now choose to walk into their futures together, hand in hand, proving that 70 can indeed feel like 50 when the heart is wide open.
