Marriage Status Summary
Cary Grant was married five times. He did not marry his frequent co-star Grace Kelly, but he did marry three women who each remained his wife for many years. Below is a concise overview of his relationship timeline that distinguishes rumor from verified fact.
| Partner | Years Together | Marriage Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Cherrill | 1934–1935 | Married | First wife; divorced 1935. |
| Barbara Hutton | 1942–1945 | Married | Second wife; divorced 1945. |
| Betsy Drake | 1949–1962 | Married | Third wife; divorced 1962. |
| Dyan Cannon | 1963–1968 | Married | Fourth wife; divorced 1968, mother of daughter Jennifer Grant. |
| Barbara Nichols | 1969–1998 | Married | Fifth wife; remained married until his death in 1986. |
He was engaged to actress Phyllis Thaxter in 1942 before marrying Barbara Hutton later that year. There was no wedding with Grace Kelly, although they appeared together in several films.
Early Life and Career Context
Cary Grant, born Archibald Alec Leach in Bristol, England in 1904, built a classic Hollywood career characterized by charm and sophisticated comedy. His personal life often attracted public attention, yet his professional work remained central to his legacy. Understanding his career helps contextualize why his relationships were closely watched.
First Marriage: Virginia Cherrill
Grant married Virginia Cherrill in 1934. The marriage lasted about a year and ended in divorce in 1935. This early union introduced him to the spotlight of celebrity scrutiny and foreshadowed patterns of intense media interest in his relationships.
Key Details
- Marriage year: 1934
- Divorce year: 1935
- No children from this union
Second Marriage: Barbara Hutton
In 1942, Grant wed heiress Barbara Hutton. The pairing was widely covered and seen as glamorous, but it ended in divorce by 1945. Financial and personal pressures contributed to the split.
Key Details
- Marriage year: 1942
- Divorce year: 1945
- Publicly high-profile match
Third Marriage: Betsy Drake
Grant married writer and actress Betsy Drake in 1949. This relationship endured for over a decade and produced no children. The union appeared more stable, coinciding with some of his most successful films.
Key Details
- Marriage year: 1949
- Divorce year: 1962
- Collaborated on several projects
Fourth Marriage: Dyan Cannon
In 1963, Grant married actress Dyan Cannon. They welcomed a daughter, Jennifer Grant, before divorcing in 1968. The marriage generated significant press attention due to their high profiles.
Key Details
- Marriage year: 1963
- Divorce year: 1968
- Child: Jennifer Grant
Fifth Marriage: Barbara Nichols
Grant married Barbara Nichols in 1969 and remained married to her until his death in 1986. This final relationship lasted well into his later years and provided a more private chapter compared with his earlier unions.
Key Details
- Marriage year: 1969
- Status: Married until his death in 1986
- No children from this marriage
Engagements and Rumors
Grant was engaged to actress Phyllis Thaxter in 1942 before marrying Barbara Hutton. Persistent rumors linked him to Grace Kelly, but they never married. He famously portrayed characters in films that idealized romance, yet his real-life relationships were often complex and scrutinized.
Public and Private Persona
The contrast between Grant's polished onscreen persona and his private experiences with marriage fueled ongoing public curiosity. Media coverage tended to amplify both the allure and the challenges of his partnerships, shaping a narrative that blended fact and speculation.
Legacy and Relationship Trends
Across five marriages, Cary Grant demonstrated both the possibilities and limitations of fame and personal connection. His relationships evolved alongside changing social norms, contributing to a legacy that invites both entertainment historical analysis and thoughtful reflection on celebrity privacy.