At just 25 years old, Doris Day found herself on the brink of superstardom, but she was left heartbroken when the man she adored walked out of her life. Reflecting on her second husband, saxophonist George Weidler, she once admitted, "I could not doubt his strong desire for me. But I guess his desire not to be Mr. Doris Day was even stronger." It was a defining moment in her life that shaped her approach to love and relationships.
Throughout her illustrious career, Doris Day captured the hearts of millions with her enchanting voice, timeless beauty, and radiant charm. Yet, behind the scenes, her personal life was a rollercoaster of unreciprocated love and shattered dreams. In a candid conversation with Closer shortly before her passing in 2019 at the age of 97, she shared her philosophy on life: "You have to try to stay positive despite life's ups and downs. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and so many good things came out of the bad times."
Her Early Life: The Foundation of Heartbreak
Growing up, young Doris Kappelhoff didn't have the best role models when it came to love and marriage. Her father, William, was a stern and distant figure who openly cheated on her mother. According to author David Kaufman, who penned the insightful book Doris Day: The Untold Story of the Girl Next Door, William's infidelity was so blatant that it left an indelible mark on Doris. "He would walk through Doris' bedroom with her mother's best friend, and they would go into the next room to have sex, while Doris could hear it all," Kaufman recounts. "Who does that to a little girl?"
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At 19, Doris took a chance on love by marrying Al Jorden, a volatile schizophrenic who became the father of her son, Terry. However, their marriage was short-lived due to his violent tendencies. Doris hoped for a fresh start with George Weidler, but even their connection wasn't enough to sustain a lasting union. "If we had taken the time to truly get to know each other instead of falling head-over-heels so quickly, our marriage might have worked," Doris reflected. Unfortunately, Weidler, who was only 20 at the time, wasn't ready for the responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood.
Rebounding and Rediscovering Herself
When Weidler left just eight months into their marriage, Doris immersed herself in Hollywood's vibrant social scene. Often accompanied by her agent, Al Levy, she attended glamorous events and caught the eye of influential producers. It was during one such gathering that she landed a pivotal role in the 1948 film Romance on the High Seas. Her rendition of the song "It's Magic" became synonymous with her name and launched her into the spotlight. Along the way, she developed feelings for her co-star, Jack Carson. "Jack and Doris might have rushed into marriage if their respective histories hadn't been so complicated," Kaufman explains. "Both had already been married twice, and Doris was still reeling from her recent breakup."
The situation grew murkier when her estranged husband, Weidler, resurfaced, seeking reconciliation. He apologized profusely for his past behavior and claimed to have found religion, specifically Christian Science, which Doris also embraced. Despite their attempts to mend their relationship, the couple ultimately parted ways once more in 1949.
Love Among the Stars
After her divorce, Doris found herself drawn to her fellow actors. "Doris didn't like being alone," Kaufman notes. One of her notable flings was with Steve Cochran, her on-screen husband in the 1951 film Storm Warning. However, Steve's reputation as a notorious womanizer, coupled with Joan Crawford's possessive jealousy, made their relationship fraught with tension. Crawford reportedly resented Doris for stealing "her man."
