Bette Davis' Marital History: Tracing Her Marriages And Relationships

Who was Bette Davis married to?

Bette Davis was married to four men throughout her life. Her first marriage was to Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. in 1932, but it ended in divorce in 1938. In 1940, she married Arthur Farnsworth, but they divorced in 1943. Her third marriage was to William Grant Sherry in 1945, and they remained married until his death in 1960. In 1960, she married Gary Merrill, and they remained married until her death in 1989.

Davis's marriages were often tumultuous, and she was known for her fiery temper and strong will. However, she also had a deep capacity for love and loyalty, and she was devoted to her husbands and children.

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.

Who was Bette Davis married to?

Bette Davis was married to four men throughout her life. Each of these marriages had a significant impact on her personal and professional life.

• Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. (1932-1938)
• Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)
• William Grant Sherry (1945-1960)
• Gary Merrill (1960-1989)

Davis's marriages were often tumultuous, but they also provided her with love, support, and companionship. Through her marriages, Davis learned a great deal about herself and about the nature of love and relationships.

Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. (1932-1938)

Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. was Bette Davis's first husband. They were married from 1932 to 1938. Nelson was a bandleader and actor, and he and Davis met while they were both working on the film Parachute Jumper. They had one child together, a daughter named Barbara.

Davis and Nelson's marriage was tumultuous. Nelson was reportedly abusive, and they divorced in 1938. However, Davis always maintained that she loved Nelson, and she never remarried after his death in 1954.

Nelson's significance in the context of "who was Bette Davis married to" lies in the fact that he was her first husband and the father of her only child. Their marriage was a significant event in Davis's life, and it helped to shape her into the complex and fascinating woman that she was.

Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)

Arthur Farnsworth was Bette Davis's second husband. They were married from 1940 to 1943. Farnsworth was a businessman, and he and Davis met while they were both working on the film The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex.

• Marriage
  

  Davis and Farnsworth's marriage was brief, lasting only three years. However, it was a significant event in Davis's life, as it helped her to move on from her first marriage to Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr.

• Career
  

  Farnsworth was a successful businessman, and he helped Davis to manage her finances and career. He was also a source of emotional support for Davis, and he helped her to overcome her insecurities.

• Divorce
  

  Davis and Farnsworth divorced in 1943. The reasons for their divorce are not entirely clear, but it is believed that Davis's demanding career and Farnsworth's desire for a more traditional marriage contributed to their split.

Arthur Farnsworth's significance in the context of "who was Bette Davis married to" lies in the fact that he was her second husband and a significant figure in her life. Their marriage was a brief but important chapter in Davis's life, and it helped to shape her into the complex and fascinating woman that she was.

William Grant Sherry (1945-1960)

William Grant Sherry was Bette Davis's third husband. They were married from 1945 to 1960, until Sherry's death. Sherry was a restaurateur and businessman, and he and Davis met while they were both working on the film A Stolen Life.

• Marriage
  

  Davis and Sherry's marriage was a happy and stable one. Sherry was a supportive and loving husband, and he helped Davis to overcome her insecurities and fears. They had two children together, a son named Michael and a daughter named Margot.

• Career
  

  Sherry was a successful businessman, and he helped Davis to manage her finances and career. He was also a source of emotional support for Davis, and he helped her to make some of the most important decisions of her life.

• Death
  

  Sherry died in 1960, at the age of 58. His death was a devastating blow to Davis, and she never fully recovered from it. She remained married to Sherry until her own death in 1989.

William Grant Sherry was a significant figure in Bette Davis's life. He was her third husband and the father of her two youngest children. Their marriage was a happy and stable one, and Sherry was a supportive and loving husband. His death in 1960 was a devastating blow to Davis, and she never fully recovered from it.

Gary Merrill (1960-1989)

Gary Merrill was Bette Davis's fourth and final husband. They were married from 1960 until her death in 1989. Merrill was an actor, and he and Davis met while they were both working on the film All This, and Heaven Too.

Davis and Merrill's marriage was a happy and stable one. Merrill was a supportive and loving husband, and he helped Davis to overcome her insecurities and fears. They did not have any children together, but Merrill was a stepfather to Davis's three children from her previous marriages.

Merrill was a significant figure in Davis's life. He was her fourth and final husband, and he was with her until her death in 1989. Their marriage was a happy and stable one, and Merrill was a supportive and loving husband. He played an important role in Davis's life, and he helped her to become the complex and fascinating woman that she was.

FAQs

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Bette Davis's marriages.

Question 1: How many times was Bette Davis married?

Answer: Bette Davis was married four times.

Question 2: Who was Bette Davis's first husband?

Answer: Bette Davis's first husband was Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr.

Question 3: How long was Bette Davis married to William Grant Sherry?

Answer: Bette Davis was married to William Grant Sherry for 15 years, from 1945 until his death in 1960.

Question 4: Who was Bette Davis's last husband?

Answer: Bette Davis's last husband was Gary Merrill. They were married from 1960 until her death in 1989.

Question 5: Did Bette Davis have any children?

Answer: Yes, Bette Davis had three children: Barbara Davis, Michael Merrill, and Margot Merrill.

Question 6: What was Bette Davis's most famous marriage?

Answer: Bette Davis's most famous marriage was to William Grant Sherry. They were married for 15 years, and their relationship was a source of great happiness and stability for Davis.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Bette Davis's marriages. For more information, please consult a reputable source such as a biography or encyclopedia.

Conclusion

Bette Davis was married to four men throughout her life: Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr., Arthur Farnsworth, William Grant Sherry, and Gary Merrill. Each of these marriages had its own unique challenges and rewards, and they all played a significant role in shaping Davis's life and career.

Davis was a complex and fascinating woman, and her marriages were a reflection of her own complexities. She was a strong and independent woman, but she also longed for love and companionship. She was a demanding and difficult partner, but she was also capable of great love and loyalty. Her marriages were often tumultuous, but they also provided her with much happiness and support.

Davis's marriages are a reminder that there is no one right way to live a life. She was a successful actress, a loving mother, and a devoted wife. She was also a complex and flawed human being. Her marriages were a reflection of all of these things, and they helped to make her the unique and unforgettable woman that she was.