Errol Flynn's Wife and Relationship History

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Updated April 26, 2024 11 items

Errol Flynn, the Australian-born actor revered for his roles in classic films like The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Captain Blood (1935), lived a life as captivating off-screen as his on-screen performances. Beyond his celebrated career in Hollywood’s Golden Age, Flynn was also known for his tumultuous love life, leaving fans and historians alike intrigued by his personal affairs. Our dedicated team of editors undertook comprehensive research, employing various entertainment sources and biographies, to meticulously update the list of Flynn’s relationships, ensuring an accurate reflection of both his well-known and more private romantic entanglements throughout the years.

During his lifetime, Errol Flynn was married three times. His wives included the French actress Lili Damita, with whom the dynamics of Flynn's personal life first captivated the public eye, Nora Eddington, and third spouse Patrice Wymore, showcasing a relationship history marked by both passion and tumult. Among his notable relationships, Flynn's last and most talked-about partner was Beverly Aadland, a young actress who was just a teenager when their relationship began. Flynn's dating history also features engagements with prominent figures such as the Swedish actress Anita Ekberg and the Austrian-American actress and inventor, Hedy Lamarr, illustrating the actor's diverse and intriguing choice in partners.

For a detailed exploration of Errol Flynn's fascinating personal life, including insights into his marriages and the remarkable women he was involved with, be sure to check out the complete list. This meticulously curated account sheds light on the romantic journey of one of Hollywood's most legendary figures, offering a glimpse into the relationships that were part of Errol Flynn's storied and captivating life.

  • Anita Ekberg
    Photo: Lily Dare / flickr / CC-BY-NC 2.0

    The sultry Swedish actress Anita Ekberg first caught Errol Flynn's eye in the mid-1950s, and the two soon embarked on a passionate love affair. They met at a Hollywood party, where Flynn was immediately smitten by Ekberg's charm and beauty. Despite their magnetic chemistry, the couple's relationship was relatively short-lived, lasting only a few years as they both had successful acting careers that kept them apart for long periods. Nevertheless, their love story left a deep impression on Hollywood and added to Flynn's reputation as a notorious playboy.

    Anita Ekberg rose to fame as an international sex symbol during the golden age of Hollywood, starring in numerous films throughout the 1950s and '60s. She is best known for her iconic role in Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita, where she seductively wades into Rome's Trevi Fountain. Ekberg was also crowned Miss Sweden in 1950, which paved her way into the world of cinema. Her personal life was filled with several high-profile romances, including relationships with Frank Sinatra and Gianni Agnelli.

  • Beverly Aadland
    Photo: Fanpix / Wikimedia Commons

    Errol Flynn and Beverly Aadland's whirlwind romance began in the late 1950s when Aadland, a young aspiring actress, auditioned for a role in one of Flynn's films. The handsome actor was instantly smitten, and shortly thereafter, they became inseparable. Their love affair was filled with constant companionship, lavish parties, and exotic getaways, but it sadly came to an abrupt end when Flynn passed away in 1959. Despite this, Aadland remained devoted to the memory of her late lover, often speaking fondly of their time together.

    Beverly Aadland gained notoriety primarily due to her high-profile relationship with Errol Flynn, but the young starlet also held aspirations of her own. She appeared in a handful of films during the 1950s, including Cuban Rebel Girls, which starred Flynn and was his final film. Though her acting career never took off as she had hoped, Aadland's intense love affair with the iconic actor ensured that her name would be forever linked to Hollywood's golden era.

  • Hedy Lamarr, the stunning Austrian-born actress and inventor, crossed paths with Errol Flynn in the early 1940s, and the two soon found themselves entangled in a passionate romance. Their shared love for cinema and their vivacious personalities made them a striking couple, often drawing endless media attention. The glamour and allure of their relationship captivated the public, but unfortunately, the couple eventually went their separate ways after a few years due to the demands of their careers.

    A bona fide Hollywood legend, Hedy Lamarr is best remembered for her roles in films such as Algiers and Samson and Delilah. However, her contributions to the world extend far beyond the silver screen. As an inventor, she co-developed a frequency-hopping communication system that laid the groundwork for modern wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Lamarr's incomparable beauty and brilliant mind also led to other high-profile relationships, including marriages to producer Louis B. Mayer and actor John Loder.

  • Howard Hughes
    Photo: Acme Newspictures / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

    The enigmatic billionaire business magnate Howard Hughes crossed paths with Errol Flynn at a Los Angeles party in the mid-1930s, sparking a friendship that quickly developed into a romantic affair. Despite being a renowned ladies' man, Flynn was uncharacteristically taken by the mysterious and alluring Hughes. The two men shared a passion for flying and adventure, which only heightened the intensity of their relationship. However, their secretive romance eventually fizzled out, leaving each man to pursue other romantic entanglements.

    Howard Hughes remains a figure of great intrigue and fascination, known for his immense wealth, daring exploits, and eccentric behavior. As an aviation pioneer and film producer, Hughes made a significant impact on both industries, leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate the public. His list of high-profile relationships is almost as legendary as his accomplishments, boasting dalliances with some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, including Ava Gardner and Katharine Hepburn.

  • Ida Lupino
    Photo: Pierre Tourigny / Flickr

    Ida Lupino, a striking British-American actress and director, first met Errol Flynn in the 1930s at a Hollywood event. Their shared passion for acting quickly kindled a brief, yet intense romance. Despite their obvious attraction, the couple's relationship was relatively short-lived, as both stars found solace in other romantic interests. Nevertheless, their flirtation and undeniable chemistry left a lasting impression on Tinseltown.

    Ida Lupino holds the distinction of being one of Hollywood's first female directors, in addition to her successes as an actress. She broke barriers for women in the industry, helming notable films such as The Hitch-Hiker and Outrage. Lupino's acting career spanned six decades and included memorable performances in films like The Hard Way and High Sierra. Her love life was equally storied, with marriages to actors Louis Hayward and Howard Duff, among others.

  • Linda Christian
    Photo: Metaweb / CC-BY

    Linda Christian and Errol Flynn's passionate love affair began when they met on the set of the 1948 film The Loves of Carmen. Sparks flew immediately, and the two stars became inseparable, enjoying a thrilling romance. Their relationship, however, was short-lived, as Flynn's reputation as a notorious womanizer and Christian's own tumultuous love life led to their eventual split. Despite this, their time together was marked by passion and excitement.

    Born in Mexico, Linda Christian was dubbed the "anatomic bomb" due to her breathtaking beauty and hourglass figure. She starred in numerous films throughout her career, but perhaps her most memorable role was as the first "Bond girl" in the 1954 television adaptation of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale. Christian's tumultuous love life included marriages to actor Tyrone Power, with whom she had two children, and British businessman Edmund Purdom.

  • Errol Flynn's relationship with Shelley Winters took Hollywood by storm in the late 1940s, as the two famed actors embarked on a passionate affair. Their connection was electric, with both stars reveling in their shared love for the limelight. Despite the intensity of their romance, the flame eventually burned out, leaving each to pursue other lovers. Nevertheless, their dalliance remains an iconic chapter in Hollywood history.

    Shelley Winters was a tour de force actress, known for her versatile acting abilities and commitment to her craft. Over her six-decade career, Winters amassed numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe. She starred in a variety of classic films such as A Place in the Sun, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Lolita. Winters' love life was just as intriguing, boasting relationships with stars like Marlon Brando, Burt Lancaster, and even mafia boss Charles "Lucky" Luciano.

  • Tyrone Power
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Public domain

    During the height of his career, Errol Flynn developed a close bond with fellow leading man Tyrone Power. Their friendship eventually blossomed into a secret romance that defied Hollywood's conservative norms. Though the public may never know the full extent of their relationship, Flynn and Power's time together remains a testament to the magnetism between two of Tinseltown's brightest stars. The couple's clandestine affair, however, ultimately ended as both actors pursued separate romantic entanglements.

    Tyrone Power was one of Hollywood's most prominent and handsome leading men during the 1930s and '40s, often cast as a swashbuckling hero in films like The Mark of Zorro and The Black Swan. His magnetic presence and undeniable charm made him a star, and his legion of adoring fans spanned across the globe. In addition to his rumored dalliance with Flynn, Power enjoyed high-profile relationships with stars such as Lana Turner and Gene Tierney, as well as his marriages to fellow actors Linda Christian and Deborah Minardos.

  • Patrice Wymore

    Patrice Wymore Flynn was an American actress born in 1926. Her real name is Patricia Wymore. She was active in movies, television, and stage in the 1950s and 1960s. She was 23 when she married the 41-year-old Flynn in 1950. 

    During her marriage to Errol Flynn from 1950 until his death in 1959, the couple had one child, a daughter, Arnella Roma, born in 1953. Wymore died in 2014 at age 887 in Portland, Jamaica.

  • Nora Eddington

    Nora Eddington was Errol Flynn's second wife. The couple married in 1944 and divorced in 1949. Eddington was an American actress who appeared in smaller roles in a few films. Eddington was 19 when she and Flynn met, and the couple had two children. 

    Eddington died in 2001 at age 77 in Los Angeles. 

  • Lili Damita

    The hauntingly beautiful Lili Damita was Errol Flynn's first wife. The couple married in 1935 and divorced in 1942. Damita is the mother of Errol Flynn's first of four children, a son, named Sean. Sean went missing during the Cambodian Civil War while working as a freelance photo journalist, and his body was never found. 

    Lili Damita was born Liliane Marie-Madeleine Carré in 1904. She was a French-American actress and singer who appeared in 33 films between 1922 and 1937.  She stopped making movies shortly after marrying Flynn, who at the time was just starting his film career. She died in Florida in March 1994 at age 89.