15 real love stories that ended very badly

Espresso

15 real love stories that ended very badly

Dina Beblawi

Posted: 22 April 2024 | Last updated: 22 April 2024

England's King Henry VIII waited years to separate legally from his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn. In fact, her lovely eyes would prompt him to <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/key-changes-during-henry-viiis-reign/" rel="noreferrer noopener">forever change</a> England's political and religious landscapes. Anne failed to provide a much-anticipated male heir, however, and an exasperated Henry <a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/anne-boleyn-is-executed" rel="noreferrer noopener">condemned her to death in 1536 for adultery, incest, and high treason</a>.

Wikimedia Commons

15 real love stories that ended very badly

While every love story has its rosy moments, life doesn't always resemble a fairy tale. The following 15 couples crashed hard following a euphoric rise.

The life of this mythic couple sparked strong reactions. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2010/09/28/130190252/the-true-story-of-antony-and-cleopatra" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ancient Rome couldn't tolerate one of its generals falling for</a> and openly expressing his infatuation with a foreign queen. <a href="https://www.biography.com/royalty/cleopatra-mark-antony-love-story-death" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nevertheless, Mark Antony and Cleopatra lived as husband and wife</a> for years, enduring all criticism. They finally took their own life just days apart to escape a humiliating defeat by the Roman army in 30 BCE.

Wikimedia Commons

Cleopatra and Mark Antony

The life of this mythic couple sparked strong reactions. Ancient Rome couldn't tolerate one of its generals falling for and openly expressing his infatuation with a foreign queen. Nevertheless, Mark Antony and Cleopatra lived as husband and wife for years, enduring all criticism. They finally took their own life just days apart to escape a humiliating defeat by the Roman army in 30 BCE.

When a 12th-century professor seduced, impregnated, and secretly wed his 17-year-old student, the punishment was severe. Abelard was <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/13/books/review/heloise-abelard-love-hurts.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">castrated by order of her uncle</a>. He then became a monk and retired to an abbey, while Heloise became a nun. They <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/abelard-and-heloise-735128" rel="noreferrer noopener">corresponded,</a> however, for the rest of their lives, first on love, then theology and faith.

Wikimedia Commons

Heloise and Peter Abelard

When a 12th-century professor seduced, impregnated, and secretly wed his 17-year-old student, the punishment was severe. Abelard was castrated by order of her uncle. He then became a monk and retired to an abbey, while Heloise became a nun. They corresponded, however, for the rest of their lives, first on love, then theology and faith.

The love affair between two of France's greatest poets was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/sep/28/calls-for-arthur-rimbaud-paul-verlaine-reburied-together-pantheon-paris" rel="noreferrer noopener">brief and tumultuous</a>. Verlaine abandoned his wife to follow his young, violent, and alcoholic lover to Brussels where the couple split and reconciled repeatedly over two years. When Rimbaud announced his intention to leave in 1873, Verlaine shot him twice. While Rimbaud survived, their romance did not.

Wikimedia Commons

Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine

The love affair between two of France's greatest poets was brief and tumultuous. Verlaine abandoned his wife to follow his young, violent, and alcoholic lover to Brussels where the couple split and reconciled repeatedly over two years. When Rimbaud announced his intention to leave in 1873, Verlaine shot him twice. While Rimbaud survived, their romance did not.

Salvador and Federico shared an unreciprocated love which, as Salvador Dali stated years later, made it that much more tragic. During their long friendship, poet Federico Garcia Lorca made several advances and even dedicated an ode to Salvador, but while tempted, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/oct/28/spain.books" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dali couldn't shake his concept of masculinity</a>. Lorca was executed in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War but continued to inspire the surrealist genius’s paintings.

Wikimedia Commons

Salvador Dali and Federico Garcia Lorca

Salvador and Federico shared an unreciprocated love which, as Salvador Dali stated years later, made it that much more tragic. During their long friendship, poet Federico Garcia Lorca made several advances and even dedicated an ode to Salvador, but while tempted, Dali couldn't shake his concept of masculinity. Lorca was executed in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War but continued to inspire the surrealist genius’s paintings.

After an unhappy first marriage, Iran's Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fell in love with Soraya Esfandiary, and <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4219038/Tragic-life-Princess-Sad-Eyes-revealed.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">they wed in 1951</a>. All was well until he learned that his new queen could not have children. Iran nevertheless needed a male heir, so the marriage, now a state affair, was dissolved in 1958. Afterward known as the “princess with the sad eyes,” Soraya spent the rest of her life in exile.

Shutterstock

Shah of Iran and Soraya Esfandiary

After an unhappy first marriage, Iran's Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fell in love with Soraya Esfandiary, and they wed in 1951. All was well until he learned that his new queen could not have children. Iran nevertheless needed a male heir, so the marriage, now a state affair, was dissolved in 1958. Afterward known as the “princess with the sad eyes,” Soraya spent the rest of her life in exile.

Sculptor <a href="https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20170509-the-tragic-lover-who-never-escaped-rodins-shadow" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auguste Rodin</a> was to young Camille Claudel a teacher, friend, and eventually lover. Rodin, however, already had a longtime mistress from whom he had no intention of separating. While jealous, Camille also needed some space to establish herself as a sculptress. By 1911, she began spiralling downward into <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23674536/" rel="noreferrer noopener">delusions of persecution</a> and died 32 years later in a psychiatric asylum.

Wikimedia Commons

Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin

Sculptor Auguste Rodin was to young Camille Claudel a teacher, friend, and eventually lover. Rodin, however, already had a longtime mistress from whom he had no intention of separating. While jealous, Camille also needed some space to establish herself as a sculptress. By 1911, she began spiralling downward into delusions of persecution and died 32 years later in a psychiatric asylum.

Alice of Battenberg, grandmother of the current King Charles III, fell head over heels in love with Prince Andrew of Greece and, in 1903, married him in a fairy-tale wedding. Over time, however, relatives viewed her <a href="https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a29849010/princess-alice-battenberg-the-crown-real-life/" rel="noreferrer noopener">increasing mysticism</a> as a sign of insanity. She emerged from a forced internment to find that her husband had <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/prince-philip-family-1.5407188" rel="noreferrer noopener">left her for a mistress</a>. Alice then broke with her entire family.

Wikimedia Commons

Alice of Battenberg and Andrew of Greece

Alice of Battenberg, grandmother of the current King Charles III, fell head over heels in love with Prince Andrew of Greece and, in 1903, married him in a fairy-tale wedding. Over time, however, relatives viewed her increasing mysticism as a sign of insanity. She emerged from a forced internment to find that her husband had left her for a mistress. Alice then broke with her entire family.

Singing sensation Dalida fell madly in love with a young Italian singer named <a href="https://dalida.com/articles-neufs/9-biographie/son-histoire/3-angleterre.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luigi Tenco</a>. He took his own life, however, after a disappointing performance in 1967. Dalida was so devastated that she tried to follow his example but only set off a series of tragic life events. She finally succeeded in taking her own life 20 years after her lover, leaving a note saying <a href="https://me.mashable.com/entertainment/1739/how-dalidas-tragic-life-led-to-her-untimely-death" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Life is unbearable for me. Forgive me.”</a>

Wikimedia Commons

Dalida and Luigi Tenco

Singing sensation Dalida fell madly in love with a young Italian singer named Luigi Tenco. He took his own life, however, after a disappointing performance in 1967. Dalida was so devastated that she tried to follow his example but only set off a series of tragic life events. She finally succeeded in taking her own life 20 years after her lover, leaving a note saying “Life is unbearable for me. Forgive me.”

In 1962, American President John Kennedy began a short affair with Marilyn Monroe. Sadly, their liaison was rooted in <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/marilyn-monroe-called-jackie-kennedy-about-jfk-affair-book-claims/" rel="noreferrer noopener">misunderstanding</a>. For him, the actress was just one of many mistresses, but an obsessed Marilyn remained convinced that he loved her. Depressed and addicted to various substances, she was found dead on August 5, 1962, either taking her own life or accidentally overdosing. Rumours of <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/04/25/mystery-around-marilyn-monroes-death-revealed-in-netflix-doc/" rel="noreferrer noopener">political assassination</a> have since been dismissed.

CP Images and Shutterstock

Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy

In 1962, American President John Kennedy began a short affair with Marilyn Monroe. Sadly, their liaison was rooted in misunderstanding. For him, the actress was just one of many mistresses, but an obsessed Marilyn remained convinced that he loved her. Depressed and addicted to various substances, she was found dead on August 5, 1962, either taking her own life or accidentally overdosing. Rumours of political assassination have since been dismissed.

<a href="https://www.centerofportugal.com/article/the-tale-of-peter-and-ines" rel="noreferrer noopener">Infante Pedro of Portugal's love for Inês</a> first drew opposition from his wife then, upon her death, from his father, Alfonso IV. Undeterred, the lovers lived as husband and wife with their three children. When the king had Inês assassinated, a furious Pedro took up arms against his father. Crowned in 1357, he then <a href="https://www.portugalexposure.com/pedro-ines/" rel="noreferrer noopener">posthumously awarded Inês the title of queen</a> and required his court to pay her homage.

Wikimedia Commons

Inês de Castro and Pedro of Portugal

Infante Pedro of Portugal's love for Inês first drew opposition from his wife then, upon her death, from his father, Alfonso IV. Undeterred, the lovers lived as husband and wife with their three children. When the king had Inês assassinated, a furious Pedro took up arms against his father. Crowned in 1357, he then posthumously awarded Inês the title of queen and required his court to pay her homage.

Wikimedia Commons

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

England's King Henry VIII waited years to separate legally from his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn. In fact, her lovely eyes would prompt him to forever change England's political and religious landscapes. Anne failed to provide a much-anticipated male heir, however, and an exasperated Henry condemned her to death in 1536 for adultery, incest, and high treason.

French singing star Édith Piaf had numerous romantic partners, but the <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/music/articles/marcel-cerdan-edith-piaf-a-love-cut-short-by-tragedy" rel="noreferrer noopener">love of her life</a> was boxer Marcel Cerdan. Her romance consisted of stolen moments of passion with the married man. In 1949, Cerdan died in a plane crash on his way to join Piaf in New York. Upon learning of his death, Édith announced to the audience, “Tonight, I sing for Marcel Cerdan” before collapsing on stage.

Shutterstock and Wikimedia Commons

Édith Piaf and Marcel Cerdan

French singing star Édith Piaf had numerous romantic partners, but the love of her life was boxer Marcel Cerdan. Her romance consisted of stolen moments of passion with the married man. In 1949, Cerdan died in a plane crash on his way to join Piaf in New York. Upon learning of his death, Édith announced to the audience, “Tonight, I sing for Marcel Cerdan” before collapsing on stage.

While every love story has its rosy moments, life doesn't always resemble a fairy tale. The following 15 couples crashed hard following a euphoric rise.

Wikimedia Commons

Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun

Tragic lovers don't always inspire sympathy. Eva Braun met Hitler when she was only 17 years old and remained his official mistress for nearly 15 years, sharing his life and convictions. The dictator finally married her only after Nazi Germany's defeat became inevitable. The lovebirds then took their own lives the next day, April 30, 1945, in their hidden Berlin bunker.

Following her divorce from Charles, Prince of Wales, and a <a href="https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a41911499/princess-diana-hasnat-khan-relationship-timeline/" rel="noreferrer noopener">short relationship with surgeon Hasnat Khan,</a> Lady Diana enjoyed a <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a41927318/who-is-dodi-fayed-princess-diana-relationship-timeline/" rel="noreferrer noopener">final romance with Dodi Fayed</a>. Her fairy-tale summer with the Egyptian billionaire received loads of media attention and enthralled the public to the point of sparking rumours of engagement, but it was cut short when they were killed in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997.

CP images

Lady Diana Spencer and Dodi Fayed

Following her divorce from Charles, Prince of Wales, and a short relationship with surgeon Hasnat Khan, Lady Diana enjoyed a final romance with Dodi Fayed. Her fairy-tale summer with the Egyptian billionaire received loads of media attention and enthralled the public to the point of sparking rumours of engagement, but it was cut short when they were killed in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997.

After meeting in 1930, Bonnie and Clyde began a <a href="https://www.thecollector.com/bonnie-and-clyde-outlaws-great-depression/" rel="noreferrer noopener">fusional relationship</a>. For four years, they committed multiple murders and robberies, captivating the public who saw them as romantic rather than criminal. When the police finally tracked them down, the pair refused to separate and were killed together. The outlaw couple soon entered popular culture as a symbol of revolt against American society during the Great Depression.

Shutterstock

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow

After meeting in 1930, Bonnie and Clyde began a fusional relationship. For four years, they committed multiple murders and robberies, captivating the public who saw them as romantic rather than criminal. When the police finally tracked them down, the pair refused to separate and were killed together. The outlaw couple soon entered popular culture as a symbol of revolt against American society during the Great Depression.