Let me take you back to April 1951. Rita Hayworth, the Hollywood icon known as “The Love Goddess,” stepped off the French liner De Grasse and onto American soil after nearly three years abroad. Carrying with her two young daughters, she was greeted by reporters eager to hear about her plans. With a smile, she mentioned looking forward to catching a Broadway show and enjoying a classic New York hot dog. But beneath the surface, there was more to her story than met the eye.
Behind the Smile: A Complicated Marriage
During her brief two-month visit, Rita repeatedly denied that her marriage to Aly Khan, the international playboy and prince, was in trouble. But let’s be honest—she was holding back the truth. This period marked the end of a deeply emotional chapter for the actress. As Adrienne McLean, author of Being Rita Hayworth: Labor, Identity, and Hollywood Stardom, pointed out, “It’s too easy to label her as a victim. In reality, she had the strength to leave her husbands when she needed to. She was far stronger than people give her credit for.”
Growing Up Under the Spotlight
Rita’s strength wasn’t something she was born with—it was forged through years of hardship. Born Margarita Cansino, she was the daughter of a Spanish flamenco dancer and a Ziegfeld Follies performer. Her childhood was anything but ordinary. At just 12 years old, she was pulled out of school to become her father’s dance partner. “Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse—that was my girlhood,” Rita once reflected. Her early life was a mix of talent and sacrifice, setting the stage for the woman she would become.
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A Life Dominated by Strong Men
Throughout her life, Rita found herself surrounded by assertive and controlling men. Her first husband, Edward Judson, not only changed her appearance and name but also squandered her hard-earned money. Her second marriage to actor-director Orson Welles was no less tumultuous. Orson made it clear that marriage interfered with his freedom, leaving Rita feeling unfulfilled. “He told me he should never have married me in the first place, as it interfered with his way of life,” Rita recalled.
The Allure of Aly Khan
After separating from Orson, Rita became the target of many wealthy suitors, including Aristotle Onassis and the Shah of Iran. But it was Aly Khan who captured her heart. Their meeting at a glamorous party on the French Riviera sparked an instant connection. “The prince was smitten from the moment they danced together,” recalled Rita’s friend Shifra Haran. Aly launched a charm offensive, showering her with extravagant gifts, romantic trips across Europe, and even hiring a fortune teller to predict a life-changing romance. Yet, despite all this, if not for her pregnancy, Rita might not have tied the knot. “I think she was holding out hope to reunite with Orson,” McLean explained.
Days before her wedding to Aly, Rita made one last attempt to bring Orson back into her life. Dressed in a negligee, she opened her hotel room door to him, hoping he’d reconsider. But Orson, who was already involved with someone else, gently turned her down. “She was marrying the most promiscuous man in Europe,” he said later. “It was the worst possible match. And she knew it!”
The Reality of Marriage to Aly Khan
Seven months into their marriage, Rita gave birth to their daughter, Yasmin. But unfortunately, this didn’t curb Aly’s playboy tendencies. “Once he realized Rita was an ordinary woman—no Hollywood star is as they appear on screen—he lost interest and moved on,” McLean explained. Despite the challenges, Rita found herself at a turning point. During her visit to America, she quietly prepared for divorce and negotiated a new studio contract in Hollywood. This marked a pivotal moment in her journey toward self-empowerment. “As she grew stronger, she became less attracted to controlling men,” McLean noted. Although love remained elusive, Rita reclaimed her life, career, and dignity. “All I wanted was what everyone wants,” Rita once said. “To be loved.”
