Shelley Fabares, beloved star of The Donna Reed Show and later Coach, seemed unstoppable during her five-decade career. But behind the scenes, she was battling a mysterious illness that nearly took her life.

Her first symptoms appeared during her Coach years — sudden, frightening episodes that felt like she was leaving her body. For nearly seven years, doctors couldn’t identify the cause. Finally, they discovered her liver was failing due to an autoimmune disorder. Without a transplant, she wouldn’t survive.

At age 56, Shelley underwent a lifesaving liver transplant in 2000. Recovery was long and difficult, and she later admitted to struggling with delayed depression, but the surgery gave her a “second chance at life.”

Through it all, her husband of four decades, actor Mike Farrell, stood by her side, caring for her and offering unwavering support. Now 81, Shelley lives a quieter life, grateful for each day. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “The things that once seemed so important aren’t. Our time here is so limited—every second is a gift.”