Let’s talk about Shelley Winters, a woman who truly lived life on her own terms. Her appetite for life—whether it was diving headfirst into iconic roles on the big screen, indulging in what she humorously referred to as her "eight-day ice cream diet," or engaging in steamy affairs with some of Hollywood’s most desirable men—was nothing short of legendary. Shelley wasn’t one to shy away from anything she wanted. But there was one thing she craved more than anything else: true love.
Throughout her storied life, Shelley searched high and low for that deep, lasting connection. And believe it or not, she finally found it at the end of her journey. At the ripe age of 85, she tied the knot with Gerry DeFord, her companion of 20 years, in a heartfelt ceremony officiated by her close friend and actress, Sally Kirkland. Now, here's the twist: Gerry was gay, and their relationship was platonic. But to Shelley, Gerry was more than just a partner—he was her soulmate, the person who truly understood her heart.
A Joyful Union
When Sally Kirkland, an ordained minister in the Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, officiated the ceremony at the Rehabilitation Centre of Beverly Hills, it was nothing short of magical. “Shelley was crying tears of pure joy,” Sally exclusively reveals to Closer in the magazine’s latest issue, which is available on newsstands now. “I don’t even remember if they exchanged rings. All I know is that Shelley was absolutely radiant.”
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Young Shelley's Bold Beginnings
Back in her early days as a rising star, Shelley had a completely different set of priorities. She shared those ambitions with her then-roommate, the iconic Marilyn Monroe. According to Sally, Shelley would often recount stories of how she and Marilyn would create lists of men they wanted to date. Living in a tiny Hollywood apartment, they would take turns bringing men home. "Marilyn said she wanted to date Albert Schweitzer. She was all about intellectuals," Sally remembers. "Shelley, on the other hand, wanted to date all the Italian hunks." This playful rivalry between the two actresses shows just how fearless they were in pursuing what they wanted.
A Career and Love Life to Match
Shelley’s illustrious film career spanned seven decades, and she delivered unforgettable performances in classics like The Poseidon Adventure, A Place in the Sun, A Patch of Blue, and The Diary of Anne Frank, earning Oscars for the latter two. But her personal life was just as captivating. Before Gerry, Shelley had been married three times—to Mack Mayer, Vittorio Gassman (with whom she had a daughter, Vittoria), and her A Hatful of Rain co-star, Anthony Franciosa. And if her own estimates are to be believed, she had hundreds of affairs along the way.
