Barbara Stanwyck's Love Story: Heartbreak And Resilience With Robert Taylor

In 1981, Barbara Stanwyck was reminiscing with a reporter while gently holding a gold cigarette case—an art deco-style box adorned with a sunburst of her face and her birthstone, a radiant ruby. This exquisite piece was a gift from her second husband, the charming Robert Taylor. At 73, the legendary actress opened up about love and loss, saying, "Losing someone you care about, whether through death or divorce, is one of the hardest things to go through." Her words carried the weight of experience, reflecting a life filled with triumphs and heartaches.

Barbara's Journey Through Love and Loss

Barbara Stanwyck, known as "The Queen" for her commanding presence, reached the pinnacle of success in Hollywood, starring in iconic films like Stella Dallas, The Lady Eve, and Double Indemnity. Yet, behind the glitz and glamour, her personal life was a tapestry of joy and sorrow, often shaped by the men she loved. Growing up without her father, Barbara endured an abusive first marriage before finding solace with Robert Taylor. Their 12-year union brought her immense happiness, but its end left an indelible mark on her heart. Yet, Barbara, the star of TV's The Big Valley, proved time and again that she was a survivor. "Sometimes, there's nothing left to fight for," she reflected. "You just have to let go."

Barbara and Robert shared a special bond, and in 1947, she fondly recalled their first meeting. "The night I met you at a dinner party at the old Trocadero in Hollywood, my first thought was, 'He’s a lot of fun,'" she reminisced. Barbara certainly deserved some fun. Her career skyrocketed after meeting her first husband, vaudeville star Frank Fay, around the time she gained fame in Broadway's 1927 hit Burlesque. However, their marriage became strained as Barbara's burgeoning movie career overshadowed Frank's declining one. The alcoholic actor's temper turned abusive, leading to their divorce in 1935.

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A New Beginning with Robert Taylor

When Barbara met Robert Taylor, she felt like she was emerging from "an emotional Black Hole of Calcutta." Author Dan Callahan, in his book Barbara Stanwyck: The Miracle Woman, described Robert as a "great relief" to Barbara. "He was a little younger than her and incredibly handsome," Callahan noted. The couple connected through their shared humor, work ethic, and love for horses. Barbara had established Marwyck, a San Fernando Valley breeding farm, in 1937, while Robert eventually bought his own ranch nearby.

Despite their happiness, their private life was thrust into the spotlight in 1938 when Photoplay magazine published an article titled "Hollywood’s Unmarried Husbands and Wives." The article insinuated that Barbara and Robert were living as a married couple, inviting them to events "just like man and wife" and spending quiet evenings together. Fearing scandal, Robert's studio bosses pressured him to marry Barbara. "Back then, the studios had immense control over their stars," Callahan explained.

On May 14, 1939, Barbara and Robert tied the knot under their legal names, Miss Ruby Stevens and Mr. Arlington Brugh. Years later, Robert confessed that he felt pressured and uncertain about the marriage. "I wasn’t even sure I was in love," he admitted. "All I could say was 'I do.'" Their union marked the beginning of a chapter filled with both joy and challenges.

Challenges and Scandals

When World War II erupted, Robert paused his acting career to enlist in the U.S. Navy. At 32, he was deemed too old for overseas duty but served as a flight instructor for three years. During this period, Barbara was busy with her work. "In the 1940s, Barbara was constantly working," Callahan said. "They spent less time together, and when they did meet, they had to maintain the facade of being a couple for the cameras." This pressure to appear perfect began to strain their marriage.

Robert's attention wandered, and rumors of his affair with Lana Turner, his co-star in 1941's Johnny Eager, gained traction. "She became an obsession. I had to have her, if only for one night," Robert admitted in the biography Robert Taylor: The Man With the Perfect Face. Some accounts claim that Barbara slashed her wrist in despair, but she denied it. "It’s not true that I attempted suicide after learning about the affair," Barbara clarified. "The media has a way of exaggerating things." Callahan confirmed the story was false, noting that a previous wrist injury had been misreported.

Ten years later, Barbara confronted Robert in Rome after hearing about his alleged affair with an Italian actress on the set of Quo Vadis. "It wasn’t good for their image," Callahan said. "They needed to save face." The couple eventually divorced in 1952, with a judge awarding Barbara their Hollywood mansion and 15 percent of Robert's earnings until she remarried, which she never did. They reunited on screen in 1964 for The Night Walker.

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Robert's second wife, Ursula Thiess, kept Barbara at a distance for years but reportedly invited her to visit Robert in the hospital before his death in 1969 at age 57. "Barbara attended his funeral and cried," Callahan said. "It was unusual for her to show such emotion in public. She even kept photos of him as she grew older." Despite the challenges, Barbara cherished Robert's memory. "We became friends again," she said. "Time heals all wounds."