Direct Answer: Was Cary Grant Ever Married?
Yes, Cary Grant was married multiple times. He married five times between 1934 and 1965, to women from varied professional and social backgrounds. Below is a summary of each marriage, including years, partners, and key context often sought by readers. His final marriage, to Barbara Houghton, lasted from 1965 until his death in 1986.
| Marriage # | Partner | Years Married | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Cherrill | 1934–1935 | Annulled 1935, later remarried briefly in 1939 |
| 2 | Barbara Hutton | 1942–1943 | Socialite heiress; short marriage influenced by fame and instability |
| 3 | Laraine Day | 1949–1952 | Actress; marriage ended in divorce amid personal challenges |
| 4 | Joan Fontaine | 1955–1962 | Academy Award–winning actress; marriage noted for intensity and eventual divorce |
| 5 | Barbara Houghton | 1965–1986 | Longest marriage; lasted until his death in 1986 |
First Marriage: Virginia Cherrill
Cary Grant married Virginia Cherrill in 1934. The union was tumultuous and brief, ending in annulment in 1935. He later saw Cherrill socially and the marriage was legally annulled. They remarried in 1939, only to divorce again within the year, marking a short and complicated marital chapter early in his career.
Second Marriage: Barbara Hutton
Grant wed heiress Barbara Hutton in 1942. Their marriage attracted significant media attention due to Hutton's wealth and Grant's rising stardom. The relationship struggled with personal difficulties and pressures of celebrity, leading to divorce in 1943. This period highlighted the challenges of fame and compatibility.
Third Marriage: Laraine Day
From 1949 to 1995, Grant was married to actress Laraine Day. Day later wrote about their relationship in her memoir, describing moments of warmth alongside periods of strain. The couple had a highly publicized divorce in 1952, which affected both personally and professionally.
Fourth Marriage: Joan Fontaine
Grant's marriage to Joan Fontaine in 1955 remains one of the most talked-about unions in his romantic history. Fontaine, an Academy Award winner, shared that the relationship was intense but volatile. They divorced in 1962, citing emotional incompatibility and the stresses of public life.
Fifth Marriage: Barbara Houghton and Final Years
Barbara Houghton became Cary Grant's fifth wife in 1965. This marriage endured until his death in 1986, making it his longest and most stable relationship. During these years, Grant largely retired from acting and focused on personal projects and philanthropy, enjoying a quieter life with Houghton.
Context and Common Questions
Grant's multiple marriages often prompt questions about his views on commitment and relationships. While he experienced early instability, his final marriage suggests a more mature approach to partnership. Understanding these transitions offers insight into both the man and the myth, reflecting personal growth amid changing social norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many times was Cary Grant married? He was married five times.
- Who was his longest marriage to? His longest marriage was to Barbara Houghton (1965–1986).
- Was he married to Joan Fontaine? Yes, he was married to Joan Fontaine from 1955 to 1962.
- Did he have children? He had one daughter, Jennifer Grant, with wife Dyan Cannon outside of these five marriages.
- When did he marry for the last time? He married Barbara Houghton in 1965; they remained married until his death in 1986.