Occasionally a real life couple’s love story is so compelling that it outshines even the most romantic fairy tale. These seven fairy tale couples throughout history had love affairs that belong in the pages of a storybook.
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier
America got its very own fairy tale love story in the mid-50s. One of the most beautiful movie stars of the day, Grace Kelly, retired from acting to become a real-life princess. After meeting and falling in love with Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Kelly was more than willing to trade status as Hollywood royalty for real royalty. Their massive fairy tale wedding was a spectacle that transfixed the whole world. Kelly wore one of our favorite wedding gowns of all-time as she became Princess of Monaco. Princess Grace died in a tragic car accident in 1982, and her devoted husband never remarried.
George Burns and Gracie Allen
Burns and Allen were partners on stage and in life. The comedy duo spent years together before solidifying the partnership with marriage. Burns and Allen would perform together countless times, on screen, radio, and stage, over the course of their careers. The couple signed off from their shows with a simple back and forth. Burns would say, “Say ‘Goodnight,’ Gracie,” and Allen would reply, “Goodnight.” After Allen passed away in 1964, Burns visited her grave once a month until his own death in 1996.
Pierre and Marie Curie
The world of Science’s most famous love story began in a Paris laboratory. There Maria Skłodowska met Pierre Curie over their mutual interest in natural sciences. When Curie proposed to Marie, she refused because she planned to return to her native Poland. Pierre was so devoted to Marie that he told her he would follow her to Poland, even if that meant giving up his career as a scientist. After their marriage, the two brilliant scientists continued to work together, making several important discoveries together and earning multiple Nobel Prizes.
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward defied the odds as a Hollywood couple. Married for 50 years, the devoted couple spent their lives together in mutual respect. Woodward’s advice for a long-lasting relationship:
Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day? Ah, now that’s a real treat.
Frida Kahlo and Diego River
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s love story was passionate and occasionally volatile. They married in 1929 and spent just one tempestuous year together before divorcing… and then remarrying one year later. Their fiery personalities are likely what drew them together and what caused issues in the relationship. The artists produced some of their best works during their lives together.
F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald
Not every fairy tale has a happy ending, and such is the case of the Fitzgeralds. Francis Scott fell in love with the vivacious Zelda and they were married in 1920. During the Roaring Twenties the Fitzgeralds were seen as the quintessential 20s couple. Their lives were full of parties and celebrity as F. Scott earned notoriety with his novels. As the years went on, Zelda’s mental health deteriorated to the point that she needed to be institutionalized. To cope with his pain, F. Scott turned to alcohol, eventually dying at the young age of 44 due to alcoholism.
Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
Perhaps the greatest tribute to true love ever constructed was commissioned by Shah Jahan for his wife. The emporer of India loved his wife so greatly that, when she died as a consequence of bearing their 14th child, he commissioned an elaborate mausoleum in her honor. This grand gesture would give the world one of its most spectacular buildings: the Taj Mahal.
Who is your favorite real-life couple of all time? We would love to hear your answers, so let us know in the comments below or on social media.
