On the evening of November 30, 1940, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz tied the knot at the Byram River Beagle Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. It was a momentous occasion, but not without its share of secrecy. Lucille, who was six years older than Desi, chose to lie about her age on their marriage license out of concern for public perception. Despite this, nothing could dampen the joy of their special day. The newlyweds even managed to return to New York City that night, in time for Desi's performance at the Roxy Theater.
The Early Days of Their Love
Theirs was a love that blossomed quietly behind the scenes. Lucille and Desi fell for each other while working on the 1940 film Too Many Girls. However, in a time when multi-ethnic relationships were often frowned upon — Lucille being of English/Irish descent and Desi, a Cuban native — they decided to keep their romance under wraps until their wedding day. Lee Tannen, a close friend of Lucille and author of I Loved Lucy, shared with Closer that Lucille had a strong aversion to scandal. “She once told me she probably would’ve stayed married to him if they weren’t so famous,” Tannen revealed, highlighting the complexities of their public life.
A Marriage of Opposites
Actress Carole Cook, a protégé of Lucille’s, paints a vivid picture of the couple’s dynamic. “Desi was a wonderful man. He was bright, fun, and entertaining,” Cook recalls. Meanwhile, Lucille was described as “generous,” “extremely loyal,” and a “great and encouraging friend.” Though seemingly opposite in many ways, their differences complemented each other, creating a unique bond that endured through thick and thin.
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Interestingly, Lucille's daughter, Lucie Arnaz, reveals that her mother wasn’t naturally funny. Despite becoming world-famous for her comedic timing and extravagant performances on I Love Lucy, Lucille was, according to Lucie, a very serious and often worried person. “She was always concerned that something wouldn’t go right,” Lucie explained to Closer.
Building a Television Legacy
Lucille’s career took off in radio and television comedies after her early film career slowed down. In 1950, CBS approached her with an offer for a half-hour television series. Lucille agreed to the deal but only on one condition: Desi had to play her husband on the show. “She knew that if he went on the road with the band, he’d be catting around all the time,” recalled I Love Lucy writer Bob Weiskopf. “She wanted him at home, where she felt the marriage would have a better chance of lasting, which, of course, it did—for a while.”
For a period, things were going great. After enduring two miscarriages, Lucille embraced Catholicism, influenced by Desi’s mother. Five months later, she was thrilled to announce her pregnancy with their daughter, Lucie. “For me, the birth of a child was a miracle,” Lucille joyfully revealed.
Just seven months after Lucie’s birth, I Love Lucy premiered and quickly became a sensation. During the second season, over 70 percent of all TV viewers tuned in to witness Lucy Ricardo give birth to Little Ricky, a delightful moment that mirrored the real-life birth of Lucille and Desi’s son, Desi Arnaz Jr. “I had babies and went to work and enjoyed my work,” Lucille fondly remembered.
The Challenges of Success
As the years went on, the pressures of running Desilu Productions, which also produced iconic shows like Mission: Impossible and Star Trek, took its toll on Desi. What once excited him began to feel mundane, and his old habits of drinking and infidelity crept back in. “I think Desi had it together when they were building the empire, but once they attained the empire, that is when he lost something,” Carole reflected. “I think once they had all of that, things fell apart.”
The breaking point came in January 1955 when Confidential magazine published stories about Desi’s alleged liaisons with prostitutes, shattering the couple’s wholesome image. Lucie Arnaz recounted the difficult times, saying, “We did go through some pretty hard stuff. There was a lot of anger, a lot of screaming and yelling. And then, there was the alcoholism.”
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Eventually, Lucille reached her limit. “Our children were asking questions, and I got fed up with saying, ‘Daddy isn’t feeling well,’” she admitted. “Desi did nothing in moderation—booze, broads, and gambling. He just would not take care of himself. He never honored our marriage. It took me a long time to realize it was a lost cause.”
Divorce and Beyond
They divorced in 1960 but continued to collaborate at Desilu for a time. Both remarried—Lucille to comedian Gary Morton and Desi to Edith Hirsch—but their deep connection remained unbroken. “They loved each other until the day they both died. I know that in my heart,” Carole stated. “He was the great love of her life, and she was for him, too.”
Lucie believes their separation was ultimately for the best. “They never said bad words about each other,” she said. “It was a fantastic romance that got even more passionate and friendlier after they were not married to each other anymore.”
