Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford were two of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the 1940s and 1950s. They starred in five films together and had a close personal relationship that lasted for decades. However, their relationship was never fully romantic, and it ended tragically after 40 years.
Rita Hayworth was a stunningly beautiful actress who rose to fame in the 1940s. She was known for her roles in films like “Gilda” and “Cover Girl,” and she quickly became one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars. Glenn Ford, on the other hand, was a versatile actor who starred in a variety of genres, including westerns, dramas, and comedies. The two met while filming “Gilda” in 1946, and they quickly became close friends.
Over the years, rumors persisted that Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford had a romantic relationship. However, both actors denied these rumors, and it appears that their relationship remained platonic. In fact, they both had numerous romantic relationships with other people over the years.
Despite their lack of a romantic relationship, Hayworth and Ford remained close friends for decades. They continued to work together on films, including “The Loves of Carmen” and “Affair in Trinidad.” They also attended each other’s weddings and supported each other through personal struggles.
However, their friendship came to a tragic end after 40 years. In 1979, Hayworth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating condition that slowly robbed her of her memories and her identity. Ford was one of the few people who remained close to her as her condition worsened, and he visited her regularly.
Sadly, Hayworth’s Alzheimer’s disease was so advanced that she no longer recognized Ford or anyone else. She passed away in 1987, and Ford was heartbroken by the loss of his friend. He attended her funeral but refused to speak to the media, saying that he was too emotional to talk about her passing.
Rita Hayworth had a tumultuous personal life that included numerous marriages and divorces. Her first marriage, to wealthy businessman Edward Judson, was arranged by her father when she was just 18 years old. Judson became her manager and was controlling and abusive, leading to their divorce in 1942.
Hayworth’s second marriage was to Orson Welles, with whom she had a daughter named Rebecca. Despite their intense passion for each other, the marriage was short-lived due to their busy schedules and conflicting personalities. They divorced in 1948.
In 1953, Hayworth married Prince Aly Khan, son of the Aga Khan, in a highly publicized ceremony in France. They had a daughter named Yasmin, but their marriage was marred by infidelity on both sides and they divorced in 1957.
Hayworth’s fourth and fifth marriages were to Dick Haymes and James Hill, respectively, and both were marked by public scandals and tumultuous divorces. Hayworth also struggled with alcoholism throughout her life and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the late 1970s.
The relationship between Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford was a unique one in Hollywood. Despite rumors of a romantic affair, they remained close friends for decades and supported each other through personal and professional struggles. While their relationship ended tragically with Hayworth’s Alzheimer’s disease, their legacy as two of Hollywood’s most iconic stars will continue to be celebrated for years to come.
