Henry Fonda's Wives - A Journey Through His Marriages

Who was Henry Fonda's spouse?

Henry Fonda was married five times. His first wife was Margaret Sullavan, whom he married in 1931. They divorced in 1933. His second wife was Frances Seymour Brokaw, whom he married in 1936. They divorced in 1950. His third wife was Susan Blanchard, whom he married in 1950. They divorced in 1956. His fourth wife was Afdera Franchetti, whom he married in 1957. They divorced in 1962. His fifth and final wife was Shirlee Adams, whom he married in 1965. They remained married until his death in 1982.

Fonda had three children with his first wife, Margaret Sullavan: Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda, and Amy Fonda. He had one child with his second wife, Frances Seymour Brokaw: Bridget Fonda.

Fonda was a prominent actor who starred in over 100 films and television shows. He is best known for his roles in films such as The Grapes of Wrath (1940), Mr. Roberts (1955), and On Golden Pond (1981). He won two Academy Awards for Best Actor, for his roles in The Grapes of Wrath and On Golden Pond.

Fonda's marriages were often tumultuous, and he was known for his womanizing. However, he remained a popular and respected actor throughout his career.

Henry Fonda's Spouse

Henry Fonda was married five times. His spouses were:

• Margaret Sullavan
• Frances Seymour Brokaw
• Susan Blanchard
• Afdera Franchetti
• Shirlee Adams

Fonda's marriages were often tumultuous, and he was known for his womanizing. However, he remained a popular and respected actor throughout his career.

Fonda's first wife, Margaret Sullavan, was also a prominent actor. They had three children together: Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda, and Amy Fonda. Fonda's second wife, Frances Seymour Brokaw, was a socialite. They had one child together: Bridget Fonda.

Fonda's fifth and final wife, Shirlee Adams, was a former Miss America. They remained married until his death in 1982.

Margaret Sullavan

Margaret Sullavan was an American actress who was the first wife of Henry Fonda. They were married from 1931 to 1933 and had one child together, Jane Fonda.

• Early Life and Career
  

  Margaret Sullavan was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on May 16, 1909. She began her acting career on Broadway in 1929. She quickly became a popular leading lady, known for her beauty and her talent for playing complex and challenging roles.

• Marriage to Henry Fonda
  

  Margaret Sullavan married Henry Fonda in 1931. They had one child together, Jane Fonda, who was born in 1937. The couple divorced in 1933.

• Later Career and Personal Life
  

  After her divorce from Fonda, Margaret Sullavan continued to act in films and on Broadway. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the 1938 film Three Comrades. She married three more times, but none of her subsequent marriages lasted as long as her marriage to Fonda.

• Death and Legacy
  

  Margaret Sullavan died of an overdose of barbiturates in 1960. She was 51 years old. She is remembered as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.

Margaret Sullavan's marriage to Henry Fonda was a brief but important chapter in her life. It produced one child, Jane Fonda, who went on to become a successful actress in her own right. Sullavan's marriage to Fonda also helped to launch her career in Hollywood.

Frances Seymour Brokaw

Frances Seymour Brokaw was the second wife of actor Henry Fonda. They were married from 1936 to 1950 and had one child together, Frances de Villers Brokaw Fonda, also known as Bridget Fonda.

Brokaw was a socialite and the daughter of wealthy businessman Irving Brokaw. She was a close friend of Henry Fonda's first wife, Margaret Sullavan, and the two women remained friends even after Sullavan and Fonda divorced.

Brokaw and Fonda were married in a small ceremony in New York City in 1936. They had one child together, Bridget, who was born in 1944. The couple divorced in 1950, reportedly due to Fonda's infidelity.

After her divorce from Fonda, Brokaw married actor Charles Bickford. They remained married until Bickford's death in 1967.

Frances Seymour Brokaw was a significant figure in Henry Fonda's life. She was his wife for 14 years and the mother of his only daughter. She was also a close friend of his first wife, Margaret Sullavan.

Susan Blanchard

Susan Blanchard was the third wife of actor Henry Fonda. They were married from 1950 to 1956 and had one child together, Amy Fonda. Blanchard was a former model and actress, and she met Fonda while they were both working on the film The Furies (1950). She subsequently gave up her career to raise their child.

• Marriage to Henry Fonda
  Blanchard and Fonda were married in a small ceremony in New York City in 1950. They had one child together, Amy, who was born in 1953. The couple divorced in 1956, reportedly due to Fonda's infidelity.
• Life After Divorce
  After her divorce from Fonda, Blanchard married actor Richard Long. They remained married until Long's death in 1974.
• Legacy
  Susan Blanchard was a significant figure in Henry Fonda's life. She was his wife for six years and the mother of his only daughter. She was also a close friend of his first wife, Margaret Sullavan.

Susan Blanchard's marriage to Henry Fonda was a brief but important chapter in her life. It produced one child, Amy Fonda, who went on to become a successful actress in her own right. Blanchard's marriage to Fonda also helped to launch her career in Hollywood.

Afdera Franchetti

Afdera Franchetti was the fourth wife of actor Henry Fonda. They were married from 1957 to 1962 and had no children together.

• Background
  Afdera Franchetti was born in Rome, Italy, in 1920. She was the daughter of Baron Franchetti, a wealthy Italian industrialist. She met Henry Fonda in 1956 while he was filming the movie War and Peace in Italy. They were married the following year.
• Marriage to Henry Fonda
  Afdera Franchetti and Henry Fonda were married in a civil ceremony in Rome in 1957. They lived together in Italy for several years before moving to the United States in 1960. The couple divorced in 1962, reportedly due to Fonda's infidelity.
• Life After Divorce
  After her divorce from Fonda, Afdera Franchetti married Italian actor Massimo Serato. They remained married until her death in 2007.

Afdera Franchetti was a significant figure in Henry Fonda's life. She was his wife for five years and was with him during a difficult period in his career. She was also a close friend of his first wife, Margaret Sullavan.

Shirlee Adams

Shirlee Adams was an American actress and model who was the fifth and final wife of actor Henry Fonda. They were married from 1965 until his death in 1982.

• Marriage to Henry Fonda
  Adams and Fonda were married in a small ceremony in Las Vegas in 1965. It was the first marriage for Adams and the fifth for Fonda. The couple remained married until Fonda's death from prostate cancer in 1982.
• Post-Marriage Career
  After her marriage to Fonda, Adams retired from acting. She devoted herself to supporting her husband's career and raising their two children, Justin and Thomas Fonda.
• Legacy
  Shirlee Adams was a devoted wife and mother. She was also a close friend of Fonda's first wife, Margaret Sullavan.

Shirlee Adams was an important figure in Henry Fonda's life. She was his wife for 17 years and the mother of his two youngest children. She was also a close friend of his first wife, Margaret Sullavan. Adams' marriage to Fonda was a happy and lasting one, and she played a significant role in his life and career.

FAQs About Henry Fonda's Spouse

Here are some frequently asked questions about Henry Fonda's spouse:

Question 1: Who was Henry Fonda's first wife?

Answer: Henry Fonda's first wife was Margaret Sullavan, an American actress.

Question 2: How many times was Henry Fonda married?

Answer: Henry Fonda was married five times.

Question 3: Who was Henry Fonda's last wife?

Answer: Henry Fonda's last wife was Shirlee Adams, an American actress and model.

Question 4: How long were Henry Fonda and Shirlee Adams married?

Answer: Henry Fonda and Shirlee Adams were married for 17 years, from 1965 until his death in 1982.

Question 5: Did Henry Fonda have any children with Shirlee Adams?

Answer: Yes, Henry Fonda had two children with Shirlee Adams: Justin and Thomas Fonda.

Question 6: Were any of Henry Fonda's wives also actresses?

Answer: Yes, three of Henry Fonda's wives were also actresses: Margaret Sullavan, Frances Seymour Brokaw, and Afdera Franchetti.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Henry Fonda's spouse. For more information, please consult a reliable source such as a biography or encyclopedia.

Summary of Key Takeaways

• Henry Fonda was married five times.
• His first wife was Margaret Sullavan, also an actress.
• His last wife was Shirlee Adams, with whom he had two children.
• Three of his wives were also actresses.

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Conclusion

Henry Fonda's marriages were a significant part of his life and career. He was married five times, and each of his wives played a different role in his life. His first wife, Margaret Sullavan, was also an actress, and they had one child together. His last wife, Shirlee Adams, was with him until his death in 1982, and they had two children together. Three of Fonda's wives were also actresses, and they all played a role in his career and personal life.

Fonda's marriages were not always easy, but he remained a popular and respected actor throughout his career. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was always supportive of his wives' careers. Fonda's marriages are a reminder that even celebrities are human beings with complex personal lives.