RUDOLPH VALENTINO AND JEAN ACKER – 6 MONTHS

Rudolph Valentino and Jean Acker are one of the most controversial couples in Hollywood. Despite having a successful acting career to her credit, Jean Acker is perhaps best known as Rudolph Valentino’s estranged wife. She met the then-struggling Italian actor and future ex-husband Valentino at a party and eventually became friends. They entered a two-month courtship, and Acker saw their relationship as a way to prevent controversies, while Valentino was unaware of her sexual orientation. The couple exchanged vows on November 16, 1919, and on their wedding night, the silent film era actress locked her then-husband out of their hotel room and never consummated their marriage. She had an affair with fellow actress, Alla Nazimova and to conceal their sexual orientation, they had to keep their relationship secret and lead double lives.

Even though their marriage was rough and heartbreaking, the two mended their friendship before Rudolph Valentino’s passing back in 1926. Soon after, Jean Acker wrote a popular song about him entitled We Will Meet at the End of the Trail.