Bette Davis' Spouses: A Hollywood Love Story

Who were the spouses of legendary actress Bette Davis?

Bette Davis was married four times, to the following individuals:

• Harmon Nelson (1932-1938)
• Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)
• William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)
• Gary Merrill (1950-1960)

Davis's marriages were often tumultuous and ended in divorce. However, she remained close to all of her former husbands, and they often spoke fondly of her after her death in 1989.

Davis's marriages were an important part of her life, and they helped to shape her into the complex and fascinating woman that she was.

Bette Davis's Spouses

Bette Davis was married four times, to the following individuals:

• Harmon Nelson (1932-1938)
• Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)
• William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)
• Gary Merrill (1950-1960)

Davis's marriages were often tumultuous and ended in divorce. However, she remained close to all of her former husbands, and they often spoke fondly of her after her death in 1989.

Here is a table with some personal details about Bette Davis and her spouses:

Davis's marriages were an important part of her life, and they helped to shape her into the complex and fascinating woman that she was.

Harmon Nelson (1932-1938)

Harmon Nelson was Bette Davis's first husband. They were married from 1932 to 1938. Nelson was a bandleader and actor. He and Davis met in 1931, when Davis was working on the film "The Cabin in the Cotton." Nelson was the leader of the band that played at the film's wrap party. They began dating soon after, and were married in 1932.

• Marriage
  

  Nelson and Davis's marriage was tumultuous. They divorced in 1938, but remained friends. Nelson later said that Davis was "the love of his life."

• Career
  

  Nelson was a successful bandleader and actor. He led his own band, the Harmon Nelson Orchestra, and appeared in several films and television shows. He also worked as a talent agent and producer.

• Personal life
  

  Nelson was married three times. His first marriage was to actress Ruth Chatterton. He and Chatterton had one child together, a daughter named Ruth Nelson. Nelson's second marriage was to actress Eleanor Powell. He and Powell had one child together, a son named William Grant Sherry Jr. Nelson's third marriage was to Bette Davis. He and Davis had no children together.

• Legacy
  

  Nelson died in 1988 at the age of 95. He is remembered as a talented musician and actor, and as the first husband of Bette Davis.

Nelson's marriage to Davis was an important part of her life. He was her first husband, and they remained friends after their divorce. Nelson's death in 1988 was a great loss to Davis, and she spoke fondly of him in the years that followed.

Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)

Arthur Farnsworth was Bette Davis's second husband. They were married from 1940 to 1943. Farnsworth was a businessman and art collector. He and Davis met in 1939, when Davis was working on the film "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex." Farnsworth was a friend of the film's producer, Hal Wallis. He and Davis began dating soon after, and were married in 1940.

• Marriage
  

  Farnsworth and Davis's marriage was short-lived. They divorced in 1943, but remained friends. Farnsworth later said that Davis was "a great actress, but a terrible wife."

• Career
  

  Farnsworth was a successful businessman and art collector. He owned several businesses, including an art gallery and a restaurant. He also collected a large collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art.

• Personal life
  

  Farnsworth was married three times. His first marriage was to actress Helen Trenholme. He and Trenholme had one child together, a daughter named Susan Farnsworth. Farnsworth's second marriage was to actress Bette Davis. He and Davis had no children together. Farnsworth's third marriage was to actress Joan Bennett. He and Bennett had one child together, a son named Steven Farnsworth.

• Legacy
  

  Farnsworth died in 1955 at the age of 63. He is remembered as a successful businessman and art collector, and as the second husband of Bette Davis.

Farnsworth's marriage to Davis was a significant event in her life. He was her second husband, and they remained friends after their divorce. Farnsworth's death in 1955 was a great loss to Davis, and she spoke fondly of him in the years that followed.

William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)

William Grant Sherry was Bette Davis's third husband. They were married from 1945 to 1950. Sherry was a restaurateur and nightclub owner. He and Davis met in 1944, when Davis was working on the film "Mr. Skeffington." Sherry was the owner of the restaurant where Davis was dining. They began dating soon after, and were married in 1945.

Sherry and Davis's marriage was passionate but tumultuous. They divorced in 1950, but remained friends. Sherry later said that Davis was "the most exciting woman I ever met."

Sherry was an important part of Davis's life. He was her third husband, and they remained friends after their divorce. Sherry's death in 1993 was a great loss to Davis, and she spoke fondly of him in the years that followed.

Sherry's marriage to Davis was a significant event in her life. He was her third husband, and they remained friends after their divorce. Sherry's death in 1993 was a great loss to Davis, and she spoke fondly of him in the years that followed.

Gary Merrill (1950-1960)

Gary Merrill was Bette Davis's fourth and final husband. They were married from 1950 to 1960. Merrill was an actor and director. He and Davis met in 1949, when they were both working on the film "All About Eve." They began dating soon after, and were married in 1950.

Merrill and Davis's marriage was long and happy. They had one child together, a daughter named Margot Merrill. The couple remained married until Davis's death in 1989.

Merrill was an important part of Davis's life. He was her fourth and final husband, and they were married for nearly 40 years. Merrill was a loving and supportive husband, and he helped Davis through some of the most difficult times in her life.

Merrill's marriage to Davis was a significant event in her life. He was her fourth and final husband, and they were married for nearly 40 years. Merrill was a loving and supportive husband, and he helped Davis through some of the most difficult times in her life.

FAQs about Bette Davis's Spouses

Bette Davis was married four times, to the following individuals:

• Harmon Nelson (1932-1938)
• Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)
• William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)
• Gary Merrill (1950-1960)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Bette Davis's spouses:

Question 1: Who was Bette Davis's first husband?

Answer: Bette Davis's first husband was Harmon Nelson. They were married from 1932 to 1938.

Question 2: How many times was Bette Davis married?

Answer: Bette Davis was married four times.

Question 3: Who was Bette Davis's longest marriage?

Answer: Bette Davis's longest marriage was to Gary Merrill. They were married from 1950 to 1960.

Question 4: Did Bette Davis have any children with her spouses?

Answer: Bette Davis had one child with her fourth husband, Gary Merrill. Her daughter, Margot Merrill, was born in 1952.

Question 5: Did Bette Davis remain friends with any of her ex-husbands?

Answer: Bette Davis remained friends with all of her ex-husbands.

Question 6: Who was Bette Davis's favorite husband?

Answer: Bette Davis never publicly stated who her favorite husband was. However, she did say that she had a special bond with her fourth husband, Gary Merrill.

Bette Davis's marriages were an important part of her life. Her husbands helped to shape her into the complex and fascinating woman that she was.

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Conclusion

Bette Davis was married four times, to the following individuals:

• Harmon Nelson (1932-1938)
• Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)
• William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)
• Gary Merrill (1950-1960)

Her marriages were often tumultuous, but she remained close to all of her former husbands. Davis's marriages were an important part of her life, and they helped to shape her into the complex and fascinating woman that she was.

Bette Davis was a true Hollywood icon. She was a talented actress, a strong woman, and a devoted friend. Her marriages were a significant part of her life, and they helped to make her the legend that she is today.

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of Bette Davis's spouses. Thank you for reading!