The 1970s and '80s were the later stages of Gardner's career, but she remained busy in these years. 1974's Earthquake was one of her most popular films and she made the move to TV in her final roles.

Gardner appeared on Knots Landing in 1985 and in TV movies Harem (pictured here) and Maggie in 1986—the final year of her acting career.

In 1986, Gardner tragically suffered a stroke that ended her acting career. She spent her final years living at her home in London, where she passed away a few years later in 1990, at the age of 67. Today, Gardner is remembered as an undisputed icon of classical Hollywood. She'd later come in at no. 25 on the AFI's "100 Years... 100 Stars" list for female screen legends. Dec. 24, 2023, marks the 101st anniversary of her birth.