Let me tell you a story about two incredible people—Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Now, their relationship wasn’t all hearts and flowers, but boy, did they have a love that was rare and powerful. In fact, they were “passionately in love” for more than five decades. And even though their romance wasn’t perfect, their connection was something truly special. Their daughter, Clea Newman Soderlund, told Closer Weekly exclusively that her parents had "an unusual connection and passion for one another that is rare." That’s a big deal, folks.
Now, Clea, who is 56 years old, opened up in the latest issue of the magazine, which you can find on newsstands right now. She said, “They respected each other and laughed more than any couple I have ever known.” That’s some serious love right there. Their marriage lasted an incredible 50 years until Paul, the legendary star of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, passed away in 2008 at the age of 83. That’s half a century of love, folks.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the late actor and Joanne, who is now 90 years old, found something truly special together. Clea admits, “That’s why I didn’t get married until later in life. It was hard to find somebody who was really that kind of partner in every way, as my dad was to my mom.” That’s some serious admiration for her parents’ relationship right there.
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From Meeting to Marriage: A Journey of Two Souls
Now, Joanne and Paul’s relationship wasn’t all smooth sailing, but they were soulmates, no doubt about it. There were feelings of guilt over the family Paul left behind when he married Joanne, and their bond was tested by tragedy, resentment, and substance abuse. But let me tell you, their love was unbreakable. A close friend of the couple told Closer, “There were some rough times and a give-and-take on both sides, but the close loving bond between them would prove to be unbreakable.”
Paul, whose father owned a successful sporting goods store, moved to New York in 1951 to study acting. He brought along his first wife, Jackie Witte, and their infant son Scott. A friend explains, “Jackie had encouraged Paul to stay in Ohio so he could inherit a successful business.” But Paul had dreams, and he pursued them with everything he had.
It was at Lee Strasberg’s famous Actors Studio that Paul met Joanne, a beauty from Georgia. This was where their story really began. “He began to resent Jackie and turned to Joanne as a friend,” says the confidante. This friendship would grow into something much deeper over time.
