Picture this: Katharine Hepburn, one of Hollywood's most iconic figures, trying her best to appear nonchalant upon meeting Spencer Tracy. She even cracked a joke about him being too short for her. But let's be real—when they first met on the set of the 1942 film Woman of the Year, sparks flew instantly. "It was one of those love-at-first-sight things," reveals Katharine's close friend and biographer, Christopher Andersen, in an exclusive interview with Closer. "She admired him deeply as an actor, but it wasn't just professional respect—there was an immediate attraction on her part." It's like the kind of connection that happens in the movies, except this was real life, folks.

From First Sight to a Lifelong Bond

Spencer felt it too. And their connection blossomed into a romance that lasted until his death in 1967. But here's the kicker: they kept it hidden from the world because Spencer was married to Louise. Even though they were deeply in love, Spencer couldn’t bring himself to leave his wife and their children. So, for the last 26 years of his life, he split his time between his family on weekends and Katharine during the week. According to Christopher, who authored An Affair to Remember: The Remarkable Love Story of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, it wasn't just about religion. "He genuinely saw Louise as a saint," Christopher explains. "He didn’t want to cause her unnecessary pain or scandal." It's a complicated love story that speaks to the sacrifices people make for those they care about.

Accepting the Complicated Arrangement

Katharine accepted this unconventional relationship with grace. She insisted to many, including Christopher, that she never wanted to marry Spencer or have kids with him. And honestly, in some ways, she got the best parts of Spencer. "They were kindred spirits—soulmates, really," Christopher says. They shared a deep emotional, intellectual, and physical connection. But let's not sugarcoat it—Katharine endured her fair share of heartache. Spencer had a temper that could flare up, especially when he drank heavily. "She had a streak of loyalty and care that kept her rooted in their relationship," Christopher explains. When asked why she put up with his tough behavior, Katharine simply replied, "You don’t pick who you fall in love with." That says it all, doesn't it?

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Till Death Do Us Part

Love him, she did, fiercely and unwaveringly. While Christopher notes that Spencer could occasionally lash out, especially when under the influence, Katharine remained a devoted presence in his life. On set, she took care of him like a mother hen—fetching him pills for his ulcer, milk, coffee, and sitting at his feet while gazing at him adoringly. She praised him to the skies, always supporting him. But even Katharine had her limits. She didn’t take kindly to Spencer’s affair with Ingrid Bergman, holding a grudge for the rest of her life. Yet, despite it all, Katharine stayed by Spencer's side until the very end. She was with him the night he passed away but stayed away from his funeral out of respect for Louise. "She went to the mortuary and watched as they placed his coffin into the hearse," Christopher recounts. "She said her goodbyes there." It's a testament to the depth of her love and respect for both Spencer and Louise.

— Alison Gaylin

For more on this incredible love story, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, available now at newsstands!