WONDERLAND • The Ultimate Wonder Woman Site

If Lynda comes across as a convincing "Wonder Woman" onscreen ... it's because she's very much the same kind of person in rail life!

"On our third date Ron told me that if I was really as honest and beautiful inside as he perceived me to be, then I was the girl he wanted to marry," remembers Lynda Carter happily.

Ron learned what Lynda's fans have sensed since she first began playing "Wonder Woman" on TV, and that is that she's not only one of the most beautiful women in the world, but also one of the most spiritual. The couple have been happily married for over a year, and now Ron knows without a doubt that Lynda truly is as beautiful inside as she is outside.

The reason Lynda's so convincing on TV is that she genuinely cares for people. The role she plays is really an extension of herself, and she believes in many of the ideals Wonder Woman depicts.

Not long ago, Lynda had a chance to have those ideals tested. Because her show's very popular with kids, Lynda knows that children look up to her. Like Henry Winkler, TV's Fonz, she feels a responsibility to be the kind of person her fans think she is.

But one recent weekend, Lynda was horrified to learn that her fame could actually hurt-rather than help-her young fans, if she let it. She was on a personal appearance tour, but the crowd was larger than her wildest expectations. Lynda had looked forward to meeting her fans in person, signing autographs, talking to them about their lives.

Instead, a crowd scene of the worst sort developed. Adults as well as children were pushing, shoving and knocking each other down just to reach Lynda.

Other stars in her position have been just as frightened as Lynda was when she looked out at the unruly crowd. But Lynda wasn't afraid for her own life. She believes deeply in God, and her faith has taught her to be courageous as well as compassionate.

Perhaps it was that faith that miraculously enabled her to save a little boy's life. For there, right in the crowd that she'd drawn together, was a child who was getting crushed by the other people.

"I said, `Wait a minute. Stop the autographing, and somebody help this. child!'" remembers Lynda with a shutter. "It was frightening.

Fortunately, Lynda saw what was happening in time, and the child's life was saved. But she's never forgotten the incident. If anything, it's increased Lynda's belief that spiritual values are sorely lacking in today's world. And, although she's one of the most successful women in Hollywood, with furs jewels, and a mansion, it's the love she feels for-and gets from-other people that she really values.

"I believe in love, romance, honesty, sincerity and truth," Lynda says, sounding very much like Charlie's Angel Jaclyn Smith, who also considers herself an old-fashioned girl.

"In many ways," Lynda continues, "I being female and I enjoy being an independent female," says Lynda. "Being married doesn't lessen my freedom; it gives me more. Now I have the protection of Ron. That means I can step out harder and further in what I want to do than before."

Ron's encouraged Lynda to revive her singing career, and she recently headlined at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Backed by a 26-piece orchestra, dressed in extravagant gowns made of satin and sequins, Lynda felt as if a longtime dream had come true.

"Sing ing is something I've been doing all my life, and I want people to know it," says Lynda.

Lynda also wants people to know about the strength she's received from religion. While other Las Vegas stars mingle in the casinos between shows, Lynda and her husband read the Bible.

"I have this gift-when someone needs advice, I am able to say the right thing," says Lynda. "But you see it's not really me that's talking! I hear the words coming out of my mouth, yet I don't remember what I said afterward. It's not clairvoyance, but a truly spiritual thing. God talks to me everyday. He always has."

These days, Lynda's enjoying her success more and more. She loves pretty clothes and jewels, although she's able to put these material things in perspective. She and Ron live in a lovely $850,000 mansion on Benedict Canyon. The house has fabric-lined walls in almost every room, and is guarded by German Shepherds.

Ron's gifted his beautiful wife with diamonds and expensive Bentley cars. But their happiest times are when they're alone together at home. They talk, read, swim, play tennis, or work out together in their private gym.

"And sometimes Lynda cooks up one of her favorite Mexican dishes for us," says Ron. "We're homebodies. Our social life is usually having an occasional dinner out with close friends."

Lynda adds that she and Ron often say goodnight to their friends early so they can spend time alone together. Being in each other's company is what makes them happiest, and there's no doubt they're two of the romantic people in Hollywood. Trusting another person, Lynda believes, is by far the most important thing in life. She's grateful that she has both respect and trust for the man she loves, and that he feels the same way about her.