Exploring Loretta Young's Love Life: Who Were the Men in Her Heart?

Loretta Young, the Oscar-winning actress, is remembered for her performances in movies such as "The Stranger" and "The Farmer's Daughter." Throughout her career, she showcased her captivated everyone with her on-screen presence. 

Young experienced various aspects of life, including relationships with her previous spouses. Among them were Jean Louis, Tom Lewis, and Grant Withers. 

Relationship Status At The Time Of Her Death

At the time of her passing, Loretta Young was not in a romantic relationship. She peacefully departed this world on August 12, 2000. She died at the age of 87 in Los Angeles, at the home of her sister Georgiana Montalban. 

Loretta

Loretta Young in a Photoshoot SOURCE: Pinterest

The cause of Young's death was ovarian cancer, a battle she bravely faced in her later years. She is survived by her sister and her kids. 

Past Marriages

Jean Louis

Loretta Young found lasting love with fashion designer Jean Louis. They married on August 10, 1993. He became her third and final husband, and their union endured until his passing on April 20, 1997. 

Jean bid farewell to the world at the age of 89, at his home in Palm Springs, California, as reported in The Washington Post. The details surrounding his cause of death were not reported, leaving a sense of mystery. 

Young's Relation With Jean's Ex-Wife

Loretta shared a special bond not only with Jean but also with his first wife, Maggie. The connection between the trio ran deep, stemming from their friendship that flourished over the years. 

Jean

Loretta Young and her husband, Jean Louis SOURCE: Pinterest

Louis and Maggie had been close friends with Young for a significant period. The actress, in particular, cherished a friendship with her that spanned over five decades. Interestingly, after the passing of Jean's wife, he found love again with "The Stranger" actress.

Tom Lewis

Loretta's second marriage was to Tom Lewis. Their union began on July 31, 1940, in Beverly Hills. Their connection extended beyond the glamour of Hollywood, as they were frequently spotted attending Sunday Mass at St. Augustine's Church in Lansingburgh. 

Young and Lewis preferred entering the church through the side door to avoid drawing undue attention. This choice reflected their desire for a semblance of normalcy in the public eye. 

After tying the knot, Tom and Loretta embarked on a private honeymoon in Mexico. Later, displaying a sense of dedication to a larger cause, the couple embarked on a second honeymoon to Hawaii. However, this trip served as a platform for fundraising efforts to support the war effort during World War II. 

Meeting Her Second Husband

Young's path crossed with Lewis during the late 1930s. It was a time when she was romantically involved with Jimmy Stewart. The introduction to her ex-husband occurred during their collaborative work on the Screen Guild Theatre radio show. 

Tom

Loretta Young and Tom Lewis in 1948 SOURCE: Pinterest

Loretta and Tom found a shared interest that eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship. Their story highlights the unpredictable ways in which relationships can unfold.

What Ended Loretta's Marriage With Lewis?

Loretta's marriage with Tom encountered a rocky phase when financial disagreements emerged as a significant issue. Her husband expressed a belief that entitled him to a share of her wealth. He went so far as to request her to sign papers designating half of her fortune to him. 

This unexpected demand left the "Midnight Mary" actress feeling upset and angered. The tension over financial matters cast a shadow on the relationship, contributing to its deterioration. 

Following the end of his marriage with Young, Tom chose not to remarry. His journey continued until his passing in 1988, reaching the age of 87. 

Grant Withers

Young's first venture into marriage was with Grant Withers. Their union was initiated by an elopement. On January 26, 1930, in Yuma, Arizona, the couple exchanged vows, beginning a chapter of their lives as husband and wife. 

Grant

Loretta Young and Grant Withers in The Second Floor Mystery SOURCE: Pinterest

Interestingly, the spark that ignited Loretta and Grant's romance was their collaboration in the film "The Second Floor Mystery" (1930). However, as swiftly as their love story began, it faced challenges. By September 15, 1931, their marriage concluded.

The Annuled Marriage

Loretta and Grant had a whirlwind and ultimately short-lived marriage that ended in annulment. Their decision to elope stemmed from the difficulty in securing her parents' consent due to her young age. 

In a spontaneous move, Young packed her bags, and she and Withers embarked on a runaway marriage. They hoped that their union would lead to a parental blessing. 

Only an hour after returning to Hollywood with his new wife, Grant faced the reality that Loretta's age became a significant factor. She was deemed too young to be legally married, resulting in the annulment of their marriage. She was 17 and he was 26 when they had tied the knot.

Controversial Relationship With Clark Gable

Loretta Young's relationship with Clark Gable became a source of controversy. They worked together on the film "Call of the Wild." Despite he being married to heiress Ria Langham at the time, she found herself falling in love with him.

The complexity of their connection took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that Gable and Young had a secret child together named Judy Lewis, as reported in ABC News. The revelation about her true parentage was initially kept a secret by saying she was adopted. The actress chose not to disclose the truth until later.

Dating History

Young's dating history reveals a rich tapestry of relationships with notable figures in Hollywood during the 1930s. She was romantically involved with William Buckner in 1940, and in 1939, she had connections with David Niven, James Stewart, and Joseph L. Mankiewicz. 

The year 1938 saw Loretta dating Richard Greene and having encounters with George Brent. Her list of suitors in 1938 also included A. Edward Sutherland. In 1936, she was linked to Tyrone Power. The mid-1930s saw her involved with Clark Gable (1934 - 1935) and Cesar Romero in 1934. 

Loretta's dating history in 1933 and 1934 included Spencer Tracy, Charles Boyer, and Robert Riskin. In 1932, she was romantically connected with William A. Wellman, Herbert Somborn, Lyle Talbot, and Ricardo Cortez. The early 1930s saw her dating Howard Hughes from 1930 to 1931. Additionally, she had encounters with Charles K. Feldman and David O. Selznick. 

 

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