From Heartbreak to Finding True Love: Cary Grant's Final Chapter
Iconic actor Cary Grant, known for his charm and wit both on and off-screen, experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in his personal life. Before finding lasting love with his fifth wife, Barbara Harris, Cary went through four marriages, each marked by its own set of challenges. Yet, despite the heartaches, Cary's life took a beautiful turn when he embraced fatherhood and eventually married Barbara in the early 1980s. In an exclusive interview with Closer, Barbara shares the story of how Cary found true love and peace in his later years.
For Cary, the journey wasn't just about finding love; it was about healing from the past and learning to trust again. His daughter, Jennifer Grant, born to him and his fourth wife, Dyan Cannon, played a pivotal role in transforming his life. Jennifer's birth brought a newfound joy and purpose to Cary's life, something he cherished deeply.
A Heartwarming Tale of Fatherhood
One of the most touching stories about Cary's devotion as a father involves a memorable Halloween. A young Jennifer, dressed in her costume, rang the doorbell of what she thought was a stranger's house. To her surprise, it was her father who answered the door. Cary had rented a house in the neighborhood where Jennifer would be trick-or-treating, just so he could be there for her. "I just sort of ran up, got the candy, gave him a hug, and left," Jennifer, now 55, recalls in the latest issue of Closer. "I was embarrassed, I think, by the extent of his love and devotion to me." This moment encapsulates Cary's unwavering dedication as a father.
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Overcoming Personal Demons: Cary's Struggles with Trust and Love
Despite his success in Hollywood, Cary faced significant personal challenges that affected his relationships. Growing up as Archibald Leach in Bristol, England, Cary believed his mother had abandoned him when he was just 9 years old. It wasn't until he was in his 30s that he discovered his father had committed his mother to an asylum. This early trauma left deep scars, making it difficult for Cary to trust women and maintain healthy relationships. "I think the disappearance of his mother at such a young age resulted in him not trusting women," explains Barbara Harris. "He initially believed that she had just left to go to the seaside."
Cary's first marriage to actress Virginia Cherrill in 1934 set the tone for his future relationships. He fell obsessively in love but struggled with possessiveness and self-absorption, which ultimately doomed the marriage. Similar patterns emerged in his unions with heiress Barbara Hutton, actress Betsy Drake, and later Dyan Cannon. Despite his efforts to break free from these toxic cycles through therapy and self-reflection, it wasn't until Cary embraced fatherhood that he truly began to heal.
The Birth of Jennifer: A Turning Point in Cary's Life
The arrival of Jennifer in 1966, when Cary was 62 years old, marked a transformative period in his life. "He said that he would have been too selfish before. He was too involved with his work, his films, and his life," Barbara recalls. Jennifer's birth inspired Cary to retire from acting to focus on raising his daughter. "Jennifer is my greatest production," Cary proudly declared. "She's the most winsome, captivating girl I've ever known, and I've known quite a few. We have an honest relationship. We level with each other."
As a father, Cary was incredibly devoted, documenting Jennifer's life with photographs and home movies. He cherished every note they exchanged, creating a treasure trove of memories. Jennifer, who wrote a memoir titled Good Stuff in 2011, fondly remembers her time with her dad. "I lived with my mother, [but] she'd be away making a film for three months, say, and I'd be at my father's house," she explains. "I saw him so much more than the child of divorced parents might expect." Cary's parenting style was both loving and strict. "He once found some eyeshadow in my drawer. I got into big trouble," Jennifer confesses, adding that Cary also emphasized the importance of proper English and good manners.
Meeting Barbara: A Love That Lasted
In 1976, Cary met Barbara Harris, an Englishwoman working in public relations at a hotel in London. Despite a significant age gap of 47 years, their connection was immediate and profound. "His mind always remained young because he was so alive and interested in everything," Barbara reveals. "And he was even funnier than he was in films. He had a twinkle in his eyes." However, old habits die hard, and Cary initially questioned Barbara's intentions. "I felt that I had to sort of prove that I was not there for the wrong reasons," she explains. "Once he realized how much I loved him, I could not have ever wished for a more loving husband."
Barbara stood by Cary's side until his sudden death from a stroke in 1986. In his will, Cary split his fortune—estimated to be between $40 and $60 million—between the two women who changed his life: Jennifer and Barbara. "I think the birth of Jennifer brought him great love, and I think that the relationship we had brought him peace," Barbara shares with Closer. "Most of the people who truly knew him commented that he was much more at ease and a much happier person in the later part of his life."
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