Challenges in the Life of Gloria Allred in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Gloria Allred's life and career.

Gloria Allred is a prominent American attorney celebrated for her involvement in high-profile and often controversial cases, especially those related to feminist issues. Her legal career has focused on advocating for women's rights and representing individuals in cases involving discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of injustice. Due to her influence and work, she has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1966: Rape and illegal abortion in Acapulco

In 1966, during a vacation in Acapulco, Gloria Bloom was raped at gunpoint. She became pregnant and underwent an illegal and unsafe abortion, which led to hemorrhaging and infection, requiring hospitalization.

1973: Alleged Sexual Assault by Roman Polanski

In 1973, Roman Polanski allegedly sexually assaulted a minor, which led to a civil lawsuit filed by a woman represented by Allred in June 2023.

1979: Lawsuit Against Sav-On Drugstore

In 1979, Gloria Allred represented seven children and their parents in a lawsuit against the Sav-On Drugstore chain to challenge the store's practice of designating separate sections for boys' and girls' toys.

1983: Representation of Deborah Johnson and Zandra Rolón

In 1983, Gloria Allred represented lesbian activists Deborah Johnson and Zandra Rolón in a lawsuit against Papa Choux restaurant after they were denied service. The appellate court later reversed the lower court's decision in 1984, finding that the restaurant's behavior was discriminatory.

1985: Drafting of the Antipornography Civil Rights Ordinance

In 1985, Gloria Allred, along with Catharine MacKinnon, drafted a version of the Antipornography Civil Rights Ordinance for Los Angeles County; however, the legislation failed to pass the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

1987: Challenge to the Friars Club Membership Policies

In 1987, Gloria Allred challenged the all-male Friars Club of Beverly Hills over its discriminatory membership policies. Eventually, the club allowed Allred and five other women access to the club's health facilities.

1995: Representation in Yeaw v. Boy Scouts of America

In 1995, Gloria Allred represented 11-year-old Katrina Yeaw in a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America to challenge the organization's right to exclude girls from membership. Also in 1995, she represented Nicole Brown Simpson's family during the O. J. Simpson murder trial.

August 1997: Representation of Kelly Fisher against Dodi Fayed

In August 1997, Gloria Allred represented model Kelly Fisher in a lawsuit against Dodi Fayed for allegedly breaking off their engagement to begin a relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales. The suit was dropped after Diana and Fayed's death later that month.

1997: Representation of Hunter Tylo

In 1997, Gloria Allred represented Melrose Place actress Hunter Tylo after she was fired by Aaron Spelling for being pregnant. The jury awarded Tylo $4.8 million, setting an important precedent for the rights of pregnant actors.

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February 24, 2004: Filing of lawsuit challenging same-sex marriage denial

On February 24, 2004, Gloria Allred and her law firm filed the first lawsuit in California challenging the denial of marriage licenses for same-sex couples, taking the case pro bono for Robin Tyler, Diane Olson, Rev. Troy Perry, and Phillip Ray De Blieck.

April 2007: Representation of Circuit City Employees

In April 2007, Gloria Allred represented three former Circuit City employees on behalf of a large plaintiff class in an age discrimination lawsuit against the company, after it fired 3,400 workers nationwide.

2012: Criticism as "Ambulance Chaser of Feminism"

In 2012, The Atlantic described Gloria Allred as "the ambulance chaser of feminism" after she defended two men involved in a sexual battery lawsuit against actor John Travolta.

October 4, 2013: Allred Hired in Edwin Mieses Case

On October 4, 2013, Gloria Allred was hired by the wife of Edwin Mieses, a motorcyclist critically injured after being run over by Alexian Lien during a gang assault. Allred told the press that Mieses was an "innocent victim" trying to defuse the situation.

2015: Representing Women Accusing Bill Cosby

In 2015, Gloria Allred was representing at least 28 women accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and/or other sexual misconduct.

2016: Representing Women Accusing Donald Trump

In 2016, Gloria Allred represented three women who accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct. Trump has denied these claims, which arose during his presidential campaign.

November 11, 2017: Press Conference Representing Beverly Young Nelson

On November 11, 2017, Gloria Allred held a press conference representing Beverly Young Nelson, who alleged sexual assault by Roy Moore when she was 16.

2017: Opposition to California Bill on Non-Disclosure Clauses

In 2017, Allred was vocal in her dislike of a proposed California bill that would ban non-disclosure clauses in agreements that silence victims of sexual harassment or assault.

2017: Conflict of Interest Allegations

In 2017, former client Kyle Hunter filed complaints alleging conflict of interest because Allred was negotiating with CBS while representing him in a lawsuit against CBS. Allred denied wrongdoing.

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2019: Alleged Pressure from Dr. Phil Regarding Turn-About Ranch

In 2019, Dr. Phil allegedly pressured Hannah Archuleta's father to send her to the Turn-About Ranch in Utah, leading to her subsequent representation by Gloria Allred in 2021.

2019: Role in Allegedly Suppressing Victims of Harvey Weinstein

In 2019, Gloria Allred's role, along with her daughter Lisa Bloom, in allegedly suppressing voices of alleged victims of Harvey Weinstein, was chronicled in Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey's book 'She Said'.

She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement

Check it on Amazon

2019: Criticism for Non-Disclosure Agreements

In 2019, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey discussed how Allred's firm profited from non-disclosure agreements that silenced victims of sexual misconduct, including victims of Harvey Weinstein, Bill O'Reilly and Larry Nassar.

February 2020: School Bus Advertisement Targeting Prince Andrew

In February 2020, Gloria Allred hired an American-style school bus with an advertisement placed outside Buckingham Palace, encouraging Prince Andrew to respond to the FBI about sexual misconduct allegations.

January 2021: Angelova Accuses Armie Hammer

In January 2021, Efrosina "Effie" Angelova accused actor Armie Hammer of rape and sending disturbing text messages. Allred later refused to represent her in 2022.

September 2021: R. Kelly Conviction and Allred's Statement

In September 2021, after R&B singer R. Kelly was convicted of sexual crimes, Gloria Allred, who represented several victims, stated that Kelly was the worst sexual predator she had pursued in her 47-year law career.

2021: Representing Hannah Archuleta

In 2021, Gloria Allred represented Hannah Archuleta, who alleged she was sexually assaulted at the Turn-About Ranch in Utah after Dr. Phil allegedly pressured her father to send her there in 2019. The lawsuit was dismissed, and the show countersued.

2022: Refusal to Represent Effie Angelova

In 2022, it was revealed that Gloria Allred refused to represent Efrosina "Effie" Angelova, who accused Armie Hammer of rape in January 2021, because she wouldn't sign a declaration under perjury regarding her accusations.

June 2023: Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Roman Polanski

In June 2023, a civil lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County by a woman represented by Allred accusing film director Roman Polanski of sexually assaulting her in 1973.

2024: Representing Alleged Victims of Sean "Diddy" Combs

In 2024, Gloria Allred represented various individuals claiming to be sexual assault victims of rapper and music producer Sean "Diddy" Combs.

2025: Angelova's Claims Against Allred

In 2025, Angelova stated that Allred discussed her case publicly with the makers of a documentary on Hammer, even after being denied permission, and threatened to withdraw as her attorney unless she claimed to have given permission retroactively.

2025: Allegations of Coercive Tactics

In 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that former clients alleged Gloria Allred used high-pressure tactics to coerce them into accepting settlements with broad non-disclosure agreements, restricting them from discussing their experiences even with therapists or spouses.