When veteran actor Robert Taylor passed away from lung cancer at the young age of 57 in 1969, his funeral was held at the Forest Lawn Church of the Recessional in Glendale, California. It was a deeply moving event attended by many of Hollywood's elite. Among those present was none other than Governor Ronald Reagan, a close friend of Taylor's, who delivered a heartfelt eulogy. But the emotional weight of the day was perhaps most evident in the presence of Barbara Stanwyck, Robert's first wife, who showed up wearing a striking yellow suit and couldn't hold back her tears.
Barbara, a four-time Oscar nominee, was no stranger to the spotlight. Her illustrious career included unforgettable roles in films like Stella Dallas and Double Indemnity, as well as the hit TV series The Big Valley. Despite the passage of time and the heartbreak of their divorce, Barbara could never forget Robert, who had been her second and final husband. The couple shared a 12-year marriage before parting ways in 1952. They even reunited on screen in 1964 for the film The Night Walker. "Barbara and I have remained good friends," Robert once said, though as it turns out, their relationship was more complex than those words suggest.
Years later, Barbara revealed the truth about their relationship. "Losing somebody you love, whether through death or divorce, is never easy," she confided in 1981. "Bob and I didn't stay friends right away. But over time, we became friends again. Time really does have a way of healing wounds." It's a testament to the enduring bond that existed between them, even after their marriage ended.
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Why Barbara Stanwyck Found Robert Taylor Irresistibly Fun
When Brooklyn-born Barbara Stanwyck arrived in Hollywood in 1929, fresh from her days as a Ziegfeld girl on Broadway, she quickly carved out a niche for herself. She became known for playing tough-talking yet passionate women, a role she mastered with grace and authenticity. "Barbara was incredibly versatile," says Jeanine Basinger, a former professor of film studies at Wesleyan University. "She could sing, dance, deliver comedy with impeccable timing, and she was also a fantastic dramatic actress. She starred in so many films that have stood the test of time, and her performances continue to captivate audiences today."
Barbara was on the verge of her first Oscar nomination when she met Robert Taylor at a dinner party. "My first thought about him was, 'He's a lot of fun,'" she recalled. As it turned out, the two shared a great sense of humor, a mutual love for the outdoors, and a down-to-earth attitude that made them a perfect match. "He was at the peak of his physical beauty during that time," says Dan Callahan, author of Barbara Stanwyck: The Miracle Woman. "He was incredibly handsome, and his charm was undeniable."
Despite her initial reluctance to commit, Barbara's friendship with Robert blossomed into romance. She had recently divorced her first husband, Frank Fay, a vaudeville comedian who became physically abusive when Barbara's career overshadowed his. "He would hit her in public places, like nightclubs," explains Callahan, adding that the final straw came when Frank endangered their adopted son, Dion, by throwing him into a pool as a young child. It was a moment that solidified Barbara's decision to leave him.
Their romance remained private until Photoplay magazine published an "exposé" in 1939, revealing Hollywood's most famous unmarried lovers. The article highlighted their close relationship, noting that Barbara and Robert had built ranch homes next to each other and regularly visited Robert's mother for dinner. Fearing a scandal, MGM Studios pressured them to marry quickly. "In those days, the studio had immense power over its actors," notes Callahan. They eloped to San Diego on May 13, choosing to exchange vows at midnight to avoid an unlucky date. That night, they drove back to Los Angeles because both were in the middle of filming new movies. "It was my second wedding in three days," Robert joked at a press conference. "I was married to Hedy Lamarr at the studio just the other day. It was hard not to smile in front of the cameras because I was thinking of my own plans and how we had kept them secret."
What Really Happened When Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck Divorced
Being forced into marriage didn't sit well with Robert, and it created lingering resentment between them. When World War II broke out, Robert enlisted and served as a flight instructor for three years. "There was a period where they weren't seeing much of each other," says Callahan. Even when they were together, the studio often required them to pose for photo shoots, creating additional stress. "The pressure of maintaining this facade eventually took its toll on their marriage," Callahan explains.
In 1950, Barbara flew to Italy to join Robert, who was filming the epic Quo Vadis. The couple was photographed enjoying romantic moments in Venice, an attempt to generate positive publicity. "The gossip columns were saying Robert had been seeing one of the younger actresses on set," Callahan reveals. When Barbara confronted him privately and asked if he wanted a divorce, Robert surprisingly agreed. "Sometimes, you just have to save face," Callahan says about Barbara's swift agreement to the split. "But deep down, she always had feelings for him."
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Barbara went on to have other relationships, including a four-year romance with Robert Wagner in the 1950s, but she never remarried. Similarly, Robert Taylor never fully moved on from Barbara. On his deathbed in 1969, his second wife, German actress Ursula Thiess, invited Barbara to visit him in the hospital and attend his memorial. "Barbara went to his funeral and cried openly," says Callahan. "It was unusual for her to show such emotion in public. She also kept photographs of him until the day she died, a clear sign of the love she still held for him."
