Paul Newman’s flawless marriage to Joanne Woodward was reportedly tainted by his secret infidelity

Missing an important flight because he was in bed was one thing, but missing a flight because he was in bed with a woman who wasn’t his wife was quite another. Paul Newman was the perfect husband until he was no longer.

Paul Newman and his wife, Joanna Woodward, had one of the most bizarre marriages in Hollwyood simply because they stayed together and reportedly stayed true to each other for fifty years while other stars went in and out of the marriage every few years.

Their marriage was not as rosy as it seemed, however, and they had their fair share of the trials and tribulations that came with being one of the most admired marriages in Hollywood at the time.

Paul Newman in his later years (left) and Paul Newman with Joanne Woodward (right) | Photos: Getty Images

PAUL AND JOANNE

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward met in 1953 when Newman was married to his first wife, Jackie Witte. Witte and Newman shared three children, but their marriage did not last because Newman met Woodward.

Newman and Woodward met on the set of a Broadway play, and while Newman was instantly taken with Woodward, she felt differently and said she did not want to break up a marriage. The couple remained friends until 1957 when Newman eventually divorced Witte.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in “The Long Hot Summer”, 1958 | Photo: Getty Images

Woodward and Newman married immediately after Newman’s divorce from Witte on January 29, 1958. The couple quickly became Hollywood’s “Golden Couple”.

Newman was known to be loyal to his wife, though he pounced on him at every opportunity from women. Newman was a sex symbol because of his boyish appearance and because he looked about half his age or even younger.

Paul Newman hugs his wife Joanne Woodward, circa 1963 |  Photo: Getty Images

Paul Newman hugs his wife Joanne Woodward, circa 1963 | Photo: Getty Images

He always had young women who pounced on him and told him that they would like to be the woman in his life. However, Newman kept making it clear that he was in love with Woodward and needed no one else. He was famously quoted as having steak at home so he didn’t have to go out for a hamburger.

It was said that even at the end of his life, Newman was still in love with Woodward, and that he lit up every time she walked into a room, even if he was in a bad mood just minutes before Woodward appeared.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward at the premiere for the film

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward at the premiere for the film “Nobody’s Fool”, 1994 | Photo: Getty Images

Although Woodward was not a sex symbol like Newman, she said she had long since learned to be a sex symbol’s wife and said that she was not threatened by all the attention Newman received from women.

However, there were secrets about this seemingly perfect marriage that made Woodward’s claims about their safety in the relationship appear false.

BACON AND LEGS

Any Hollywood marriage that lasts more than fifty years is something to be proud of and admired by the people who witness it. However, this marriage was less than admirable at times.

Martin Milner and Mamie Van Doren on the lobby card for

Martin Milner and Mamie Van Doren on the lobby card for “Sex Kittens Go To College”, a film starring Nancy Bacon in 1960 | Photo: Getty Images

Nancy Bacon was something of a sex symbol herself. At only 5’2 inches tall, she had beautiful, shapely legs that earned her the nickname “Bacon and Legs”. She was a beautiful woman who started her career as a cocktail waitress at The Sands.

Bacon spent time with many famous faces and even starred in two films, but did not pursue an acting career as she did not enjoy waking up early to be on the set at dawn. However, she had a successful writing career.

The poster for

The poster for “The Private Lives Of Adam And Eve”, another film starring Nancy Bacon, 1960 | Photo: Getty Images

Bacon was briefly married to Don Wilson, with whom she greeted a daughter, but the couple separated and Bacon never remarried. Bacon suffered from breast cancer and alcoholism, but managed to get out of both, succeed in her writing career, and give her daughter a precious life.

Bacon and her daughter lived precious lives together, but Bacon had more to offer than meets the eye. She and Newman began an alleged affair when Newman was married to Woodward.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward pose playfully, circa 1963 |  Photo: Getty Images

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward pose playfully, circa 1963 | Photo: Getty Images

Bacon claimed it was Hollywood’s worst kept secret and that Newman’s friends and directors were covering Newman and Bacon. At the same time, they participated in a year and a half affair in which Newman spent almost every night at their home explaining his absence to his wife and children by stating that he was working.

The couple were involved for a while before rumors started circulating. Newman did his best to quell the rumors, calling journalists covering it “Dolts”. However, the rumors continued and eventually caused problems in Woodward and Newman’s marriage.

Paul Newman poses in a water taxi, Venice, 1963 |  Photo: Getty Images

Paul Newman poses in a water taxi, Venice, 1963 | Photo: Getty Images

It was said that the running joke in Hollywood was that Newman didn’t eat a hamburger, but bacon certainly did. The affair was eventually ended by Bacon, who informed Newman that she was getting married, to which he replied that he wished her luck and asked if they could meet a few more times before tying the knot.

DRINKING PROBLEMS

While Newman and Bacon were involved in an illegal affair for some time, Bacon said she knew she was destined to be kicked out at some point because Newman’s guilt ate him up and he was always drunk.

Joanne Woodward poses in front of a car in Hollywood, 1957 |  Photo: Getty Images

Joanne Woodward poses in front of a car in Hollywood, 1957 | Photo: Getty Images

It was said that Newman had a particular fondness for beer, but was also known to enjoy whiskey from time to time, and it was evident that Newman had a drinking problem. Woodward was one of the people who’d noticed this firsthand.

In an interview, Woodward revealed that she had decided she deserved better than the late nights Newman came home drunk from “work” and was unable to sleep with her, so she decided to to leave him.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward at The Governor's Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, 1958 |  Photo: Getty Images

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward at The Governor’s Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, 1958 | Photo: Getty Images

The couple did not split up, however, and eventually worked things out after their affair with Bacon ended. Woodward said it was not easy to be Mrs. Paul Newman, and that there were both good and bad days, but the good days outnumbered the bad.

THE END

Woodward and Newman rarely commented on the alleged affair and led a happy and healthy marriage until Newman died of cancer on September 26, 2008. His death came shortly after he celebrated his golden anniversary with Woodward.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward on their wedding day in 1958 |  Photo: Getty Images

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward on their wedding day in 1958 | Photo: Getty Images

Woodward has largely stayed out of the spotlight since Newman’s death, and the couple’s three daughters have made it their business to ensure that their mother’s privacy is protected at all times.

Woodward is 91 years old now and lives a quiet life. Bacon, too, now leads a quiet life at the age of 81.

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