Interesting Valerie outlive Mary Tyler Moore
In 2013 Valerie Harper had Three Months to live but almost Four Years later and she ends up outliving Mary.
shareI would agree with the OP if we divide her adult life into 3 parts.
1) She achieves success as an actress in 2 groundbreaking shows, the second one produced by her own company (along with her husband). The company also produced a number of high quality and popular shows besides her own.
2) Her attempts to make a TV comeback in several shows fails. She divorces her 2nd husband and loses her son to a senseless gun accident. She develops a drinking problem that also exacerbates her Type I Diabetes.
3) She meets and marries her 3rd husband. Steps away from the limelight and continues her charitable work related to diabetes. She works occasionally but doesn't try for the big comeback.
I think # 3 is what the OP was referring to.