Gay Celebs Who Are Married To Women

Throughout the history of entertainment, many famous people have lived complicated personal lives under public scrutiny. It was once common for gay and bisexual men to marry women, often due to societal expectations or their own personal journeys. These marriages sometimes offered a sense of security as they established their careers. Looking at these relationships sheds light on how acceptance and openness have evolved in Hollywood and the wider world.

Elton John

Let’s talk about Elton John’s personal life, which has always been fascinating. Before his beautiful, long-term relationship with David Furnish, he was married to sound engineer Renate Blauel. They actually tied the knot in Australia back in 1984, but sadly, it didn’t last, and they divorced four years later. What’s always struck me is how openly he’s talked about that period of his life, and the genuine warmth and respect he still feels for Renate. It’s a testament to his character, really, and it’s incredibly moving to see him acknowledge their history with such grace, especially as he later came out and found love with David.

David Bowie

This renowned artist and Angela Barnett were married for ten years, from 1970 to 1980, and had a son together. Though he openly discussed his attraction to both men and women in interviews, he later emphasized his enduring marriage to Iman. He’s remembered for pushing boundaries and questioning conventional ideas about gender and sexuality through his art.

Alan Cumming

This talented actor married fellow performer Hilary Lyon in 1985, when they were both starting their careers. They were married for eight years before getting divorced. Later in life, he came out as bisexual and became a well-known supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. After a long relationship, he married Grant Shaffer in a private ceremony.

Barry Manilow

The singer first married his high school love, Susan Deixler, in 1964, but the marriage ended after only two years as he focused on his music career. For many years afterward, he kept his personal life private, wanting to maintain a certain image. He later married his partner of many years, Garry Kief, in a small, private ceremony in 2014.

Clive Davis

Throughout his successful career in the music industry, this executive was married twice – first to Helen Garriel, which ended in divorce, and then to Janet Adelberg for over twenty years. In 2013, he revealed he was bisexual in his memoir, ‘The Soundtrack of My Life,’ and has since been public about his relationships with men.

Joel Grey

The famous Broadway actor and Jo Wilder were married for twenty-four years and had two daughters, one of whom is the actress Jennifer Grey. In 2015, he revealed he was gay in an interview, explaining that it had taken him many years to fully understand and accept who he was.

Anthony Perkins

The actor best known for his performance in ‘Psycho’ married photographer Berry Berenson in 1973, and they stayed together until he passed away in 1992 due to complications from AIDS. They had two sons who also became artists. Throughout his career, his personal life was often the subject of rumors and public interest.

Rock Hudson

At the peak of his career in 1955, this iconic Hollywood actor married Phyllis Gates. However, the marriage only lasted three years, and many believe it was a strategic effort to manage his public image. Tragically, he passed away in 1985 from complications related to AIDS, becoming one of the first well-known figures to succumb to the disease. His death had a profound impact, significantly changing how the American public understood the AIDS epidemic.

Cole Porter

The talented songwriter married Linda Lee Thomas in 1919. Although he had relationships with men, they stayed together until she passed away in 1954. Friends said their marriage was based on a strong connection of respect and friendship. He went on to write many of the most beloved and enduring songs of the era.

Jack Cassidy

A gifted performer known for both acting and singing, he married twice, once to acclaimed actress Shirley Jones. He was the father of several children, including popular teen stars David and Shaun Cassidy. While achieving great success in his career, he also faced considerable personal challenges. After his death, biographers and family revealed he was bisexual.

Robert Reed

This actor is best remembered for playing the father on ‘The Brady Bunch,’ becoming a familiar face in many homes. He married Karen Steele in 1954, and they had a daughter together before eventually divorcing. Throughout his life, he kept his sexuality private. After he passed away in 1992, his ‘Brady Bunch’ colleagues shared that his secret was known among them.

Charles Laughton

The acclaimed British actor and Elsa Lanchester were married from 1929 until his passing, enjoying a relationship that lasted over thirty years. They famously co-starred in films like ‘Witness for the Prosecution’. He confided in his wife early on about his attraction to men, but they continued to share a close and supportive partnership both personally and professionally.

Vincent Price

The acclaimed horror filmmaker was married three times. His first wife, Edith Barrett, he divorced in 1948, and his second marriage to Mary Grant ended in 1973. His daughter revealed details about his complex sexuality in a biography of his life and work. He is still remembered as one of the most iconic figures in movie history.

Little Richard

Little Richard, a groundbreaking figure in rock and roll, was married to Ennette Penniman for five years, from 1959 to 1964. He lived with a complex internal struggle, balancing his faith with his identity as a gay man. Throughout his career, he publicly discussed his sexuality at times, and then embraced periods of religious abstinence. He’s considered a key innovator and one of the creators of rock music.

Raymond Burr

The actor best known for playing ‘Perry Mason’ was briefly married to Isabella Ward in the late 1940s. He later stated he’d been married multiple times before, with his wives passing away, but research couldn’t confirm those marriages. For many years, until his death, he lived with his partner, Robert Benevides. Throughout his life, the actor was very private about his personal relationships.

Merv Griffin

Let’s talk about this fascinating, yet complicated figure. For almost two decades, he shared his life with Julann Wright, and together they had a son. But their marriage ended in divorce by 1976. Later in life, he faced some very public and difficult legal challenges regarding his personal relationships. Despite all of that, he remained a dominant force in television and entertainment right up until his passing in 2007. It’s a story filled with success, scandal, and ultimately, a lasting impact on the media landscape.

Danny Kaye

The popular comedian and actor married songwriter Sylvia Fine in 1940, and she played a huge role in developing the material that launched his career. They stayed married until his death, though rumors often circulated about his relationships with other men. Throughout his life, he was also widely recognized for his dedicated humanitarian efforts, especially his work with children globally.

Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman of Green Day, has been married to Adrienne Nesser since 1994. He came out as bisexual in the mid-1990s and has openly discussed his sexuality in many interviews. Together, they have two sons who are also involved in music. Armstrong continues to be a major force in contemporary punk rock.

Oscar Wilde

The celebrated playwright married Constance Lloyd in 1884, and they had two sons together. However, his life dramatically changed when he was put on trial and jailed for having relationships with other men. Despite this hardship, he created some of the most famous and long-lasting plays in the English language, such as ‘The Importance of Being Earnest.’ He sadly passed away in Paris while in exile, not long after being released from prison.

Tony Richardson

The Academy Award-winning director was married to Vanessa Redgrave in the 1960s, and together they had two daughters who also became well-known actresses. He later came out as bisexual and sadly passed away in 1991 due to complications from AIDS. He’s celebrated for his important work in the British New Wave film movement.

Laurence Olivier

As a classic movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by this actor. He was a huge star, and his personal life was just as dramatic as his films! He was married to some incredibly famous women, most notably Vivien Leigh – their relationship was constantly in the tabloids. Over the years, a lot of biographers have hinted that he also had relationships with men, which adds another layer to his story. But no matter what, everyone agrees he was one of the very best actors of the twentieth century – a true legend.

Cary Grant

This handsome actor had five wives throughout his life. He shared a long and close personal relationship with fellow actor Randolph Scott, and they lived together in California for many years. Though he never spoke publicly about his sexuality, many historians believe he had a flexible approach to relationships. He’s still remembered as an icon of Hollywood’s golden age, known for his sophistication and style.

Leonard Bernstein

The celebrated conductor and composer married Felicia Montealegre in 1951, and they had three children together. Their marriage continued even though he had relationships with other men. He was a hugely influential figure in American music, successfully blending classical and popular genres. He’s most famous for his work on the musical ‘West Side Story’.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

The renowned Russian composer married Antonia Miliukova in 1877, hoping to hide his true sexual orientation. However, the marriage quickly failed, ending in separation after only a few weeks. Despite personal struggles, he created some of the most beloved and lasting music ever written, including classics like ‘The Nutcracker,’ which is still widely performed today.

Alec Guinness

This celebrated actor shared a remarkable sixty-year marriage with Merula Salaman, beginning in 1938. He was incredibly talented and best known for his unforgettable performance in ‘Star Wars.’ While publicly a successful figure, those who studied his life noted he privately wrestled with questions about his sexuality. Throughout his career, he earned many honors, including an Academy Award for his contributions to film.

Michael Redgrave

Sir Michael Redgrave was a celebrated British actor who shared a fifty-year marriage with Rachel Kempson. He came from a highly talented acting family, with his daughters Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave also becoming famous performers. He openly discussed his bisexuality with his wife, and despite this, they enjoyed a long and happy family life. He received a knighthood in 1959 in recognition of his contributions to the world of theater.

Paul O’Grady

I’ve always been a huge fan of this incredibly funny comedian and TV personality. I remember reading about his early life and learning he married Teresa Fernandes back in 1977, and he actually explained it was a way to help a friend with their immigration status – a really selfless act. Of course, he went on to become a national treasure in the UK, and I absolutely loved his character, Lily Savage! It was so inspiring to see how he used his platform later in life to champion causes he believed in, like animal welfare and fighting for equal rights for everyone.

Kenny Everett

The unique and memorable radio and TV star married Lee Middleton in 1969. They were together for fifteen years, until he revealed he was gay in the mid-1980s. He was a groundbreaking figure in British broadcasting, famous for his quirky characters and fresh approach to making programs. He sadly passed away in 1995 due to complications from AIDS.

Tom Robinson

This singer and activist has been married to Gayle Kolsrud since 1982, and they are still together. He’s best known for his song “Glad to Be Gay,” which became a powerful song for the gay rights movement. Even though he’s been married to a woman for many years, he continues to identify as gay. He’s also enjoyed a long and successful career as a radio host for the BBC.

Pete Townshend

As a lifelong fan of classic rock, I’ve always been fascinated by this guitarist from The Who. He and his wife, Karen Astley, had an incredible partnership lasting over forty years. What I admire too is his openness – he talked frankly about being bisexual in his autobiography and in interviews, which was pretty groundbreaking. And, of course, he penned some of the most iconic rock songs ever, like ‘My Generation’! It’s no surprise he’s a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer – a true legend.

Rip Taylor

Known as the ‘Prince of Confetti,’ this lively comedian married Elizabeth James in the 1960s. He was a popular guest on TV game and variety shows for many years. Though he kept his personal life private, he was a well-known and beloved figure within the LGBTQ+ community. People remember him for his distinctive look and energetic performances.

Harvey Korman

Best known for his work on ‘The Carol Burnett Show,’ this funny actor was married twice, first to Donna Ehlert for seventeen years, with whom he had two children. Throughout his successful television career, many of his colleagues believed he was gay or bisexual. He was a highly acclaimed performer, winning several Emmy Awards, and is remembered as a true icon of sketch comedy.

Marlon Brando

A celebrated actor, he had multiple marriages, including to Anna Kashfi and Movita Castaneda. He publicly acknowledged his attraction to both men and women, and often spoke about his relationships with men. Known for his immersive method acting, he’s considered a hugely important figure in film, with a career lasting many decades and filled with award-winning performances.

Richard Pryor

This innovative comedian had seven wives throughout his life. He openly wrote about his relationships with men in his autobiography and became famous for his brutally honest comedy. He changed the landscape of stand-up by fearlessly addressing personal and societal topics with a distinctive sense of humor. Modern comedians still feel his impact today.

Please share your thoughts on these celebrities and their legacies in the comments.

2026-02-21 12:18