Celebritiy
Nine Scandalous Love Triangles of Old Hollywood
Old Hollywood was rife with tumultuous love triangles and scandalous affairs that often made headlines. The glitz and glamour of the stars shrouded a darker reality where personal lives were in constant turmoil, and relationships were anything but straightforward. Take a look at some of the most shocking romantic entanglements from this iconic era.
- Greta Garbo, Salka Viertel, and Mercedes de Acosta
- In the late 1920s, Greta Garbo, a star in her own right, found herself single after breaking up with her boyfriend and co-star, John Gilbert. At a party hosted by director Ernst Lubitsch, she forged a close friendship with Salka Viertel, a writer and actress. Salka’s influence grew after she urged Garbo to take on the role of Queen Christina in a film. While Garbo and Viertel’s bond led to a brief romantic encounter, it was Mercedes de Acosta, a well-connected screenwriter with an interest in women, who caught Garbo’s attention. Their affair began after filming, but ended when Garbo grew weary of de Acosta’s obsessive behaviors. De Acosta’s invasion of Garbo’s space ultimately culminated in a scandal when she published a revealing biography decades later.
2. Rita Hayworth, Aly Khan, and Orson Welles
Dubbed “The Love Goddess,” Rita Hayworth had a tumultuous love life that often seemed to steal the spotlight from her illustrious career. She married director Orson Welles in a surprise ceremony in 1943, but by 1946, their passion had waned. While on vacation in the Riviera, Hayworth caught the eye of prince and playboy Aly Khan. Although both Hayworth and Khan were still married at the time, they began an affair that sparked outrage among the press and studio executives. Their union was sealed in 1949 with a quiet wedding, but infidelities ultimately led to their divorce in 1951.
3. Ingrid Bergman, Roberto Rossellini, and Petter Lindström
After marrying Swedish neurosurgeon Petter Lindström in 1937, Ingrid Bergman rose to fame thanks to iconic films and several Academy Awards. However, her life took a scandalous turn when she fell for Italian director Roberto Rossellini during the filming of Stromboli in 1950. This affair sent shockwaves throughout America, leading to backlash that all but ended Bergman’s career for a time. She faced severe public condemnation, even being criticized on the Senate floor. Despite enduring a rocky marriage to Rossellini, including the birth of their children, Bergman eventually returned to Hollywood and revived her acting career.
4. Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, and Nancy Barbato
Frank Sinatra’s marriage to Nancy Barbato was fraught with infidelities that defined his later life. Despite their union in 1939, Sinatra caught the eye of actress Ava Gardner while on the set of an MGM film. Their instant attraction led to a swift divorce from Barbato in 1951, followed by a marriage to Gardner. However, their relationship, marked by passion as well as conflict, ended in separation just a few years later, though they maintained a friendship until Gardner’s death.
5. Debbie Reynolds, Eddie Fisher, and Elizabeth Taylor
Hollywood icons Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor were once close friends until fate pulled them apart. After Reynolds married crooner Eddie Fisher and Taylor wed producer Mike Todd, their lives changed dramatically with Todd’s death. In a stunning betrayal, Fisher consoled Taylor during her grief, leading to a scandalous love affair. The media frenzy escalated when they married mere hours after Fisher’s divorce from Reynolds, shattering their friendship but later leading to a reconciliation many years later.
6. Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and Jill Esmond
Vivien Leigh’s passionate affair with Laurence Olivier blossomed during the 1930s despite both being married to other partners. Their dramatic love story captivated audiences, ultimately leading them to leave their respective spouses. However, their relationship was marred by Leigh’s struggles with mental health and Olivier’s infidelities. Despite their rocky journey, they continued to influence each other’s careers and managed to stay in touch after their separation.
7. Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Louise Treadwell
Hollywood legend Spencer Tracy’s marriage to Louise Treadwell was overshadowed by his long-term affair with Katharine Hepburn. Their relationship began while filming Woman of the Year, and though they shared an intense bond, Tracy’s Catholic beliefs prevented him from pursuing a divorce. Hepburn’s devotion to Tracy was unwavering even during his declining health, and she remained close to him until his passing in 1967. Tracy’s moral dilemma, along with Hepburn’s resolve, kept their love story alive in the shadows.
8. Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, and Mayo Methot
Humphrey Bogart’s first marriage to Mayo Methot was a turbulent affair, notorious for their emotional battles. Their passionate relationship had its entertaining moments but was marred by alcohol and violence. Bogart’s meetings with actress Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have and To Have Not sparked a whirlwind romance, leading him to eventually divorce Methot. Although Bacall’s career suffered following her marriage to Bogart, she still cherished their time together.
Old Hollywood was filled with drama and complexity, where love affairs were common, and friendships were often tested. These tales continue to captivate audiences, revealing the tangled web of relationships among the stars. Which scandalous romance do you find most intriguing? Share your thoughts and let’s reminisce about those exhilarating years of cinematic history.
