Let me tell you a story about two Hollywood legends whose love transcended the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown. Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth first crossed paths by sheer chance, long before either of them became household names. But it wasn't until they were cast as fiery lovers in the 1946 classic Gilda that their real-life romance truly ignited. Despite the intense chemistry they shared on screen, their off-screen connection was even more powerful and enduring.
Now, Rita Hayworth, who was crowned "Hollywood's Love Goddess" thanks to that sizzling film noir, had a special place in Glenn's heart. He knew her as something far more personal than a screen goddess—he called her the love of his life. But here's the twist: their love story wasn't your typical Hollywood fairytale. It was complicated, passionate, and lasted for decades, even though they never officially tied the knot.
Behind the Scenes of a Hollywood Romance
Rita Hayworth, born Margarita Carmen Cansino in Brooklyn, was no stranger to the spotlight. Over the years, she married five times, including to the famous Prince Ali Salman Aga Khan, vocalist Dick Haymes, and the legendary filmmaker Orson Welles. Orson, by the way, was so smitten with her beauty that he promised to marry her before they even met. Talk about dedication!
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Meanwhile, Glenn Ford, a Canadian-born actor who grew up in Santa Monica, had his own list of high-profile relationships. With four marriages under his belt, including one to dancer Eleanor Powell (Peter Ford's mom) and another to soap actress Kathryn Hays, Glenn wasn't exactly a stranger to the ladies. In fact, the list of Hollywood icons rumored to have fallen for his charms reads like a Who’s Who of Golden Age Hollywood. Names like Gene Tierney, Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck, and even Marilyn Monroe are all part of his storied history.
Peter Ford, Glenn’s only child and author of Glenn Ford: A Life, admits, “He was a bad boy. He got involved with a lot of the ladies he worked with. It's not something I’m proud of, but it’s the reality of his life.”
A Love That Lasted Through It All
Through all the ups and downs of their respective careers and personal lives, Glenn's love for Rita remained unwavering. In 1960, he took a bold step that spoke volumes about his devotion. He purchased the lot adjacent to the Beverly Hills home where Rita lived with her last husband, screenwriter James Hill. Some say Rita herself tipped him off about the property’s availability—and maybe even hinted at a future together.
"That's where he built his dream house," Peter explains. "The very next day after moving in, Rita filed for divorce. They were back together in no time. Dad even installed a little gate in the back of his property so she could easily come over. She spent countless hours lounging by his pool. They were practically inseparable." Rita, in a public declaration in 1972, referred to Glenn as "the best neighbor a woman ever had."
A Legacy of Love
Even as Glenn starred in numerous films throughout his six-decade career, Peter says Gilda remained his father's favorite. "It was the movie that launched his stardom, and he always said that any film with Rita Hayworth was a pleasure to make." In a 1990 documentary about Rita, Glenn openly admitted, "I loved her very deeply at that time."
That love only deepened, even as Rita faced the challenges of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which was made public in 1981. "Glenn was there for her during the later stages," says Adrienne McLean, author of Being Rita Hayworth: Labor, Identity, and Hollywood Stardom. When Rita passed away in 1987 at the age of 68 from complications of the disease, Glenn was one of the pallbearers who laid her to rest.
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"He was incredibly protective of her," McLean recalls. "They were true allies." As Rita once famously declared to Glenn in Gilda, "There’s never been anybody but you and me."
— Frank DeCaro, with reporting by Katie Bruno
