A Chronology of the Taylor-Stanwyck Marriage

This is a single page article from a movie magazine, ca. 1950-51.

**1938** But she was thrilled as a 16-year-old when, after a first date, Bob sent her roses with a boyish note thanking her for a delightful evening.

**1939** Bob, handsome, adored movie idol , married Barbara on May 14. It was considered a “sound” match because of their long friendship. Bob was 27.

**1940** Barbara’s loneliness was replaced by a loving husband who adored to take her everywhere. Above, with Jack Benny.

**1942** Small differences didn’t matter then. Babs learned golf, tried to go along with Bob’s outdoor tastes. But she preferred to stay at home and read.

**1943** They had different religious and home backgrounds. Bob was raised in a small Nebraska town. Babs, orphaned at 4, was working at 13.

**1944** The second highest paid woman in the U.S. in ’43 ($323,333), Babs won an award in ’43 for *Double Indemnity.*

**1944** When she was called to confirm rumors of separation, she asked Bob, “Are we separating, honey?” He answered, “not that I know of, darling.”

**1947** It was rumored that they planned to adopt twins. Bob flew to Chicago twice to visit ex-Navy pals, alone, because Babs refused to fly.

**1948** She failed to get the lead in *The Fountainhead* and split with Warners. She and Bob were rumored to be separating.

**1950** Bob turned down a personal appearance tour worth $10,000 to be at home with Babs. But he continued to make frequent fishing trips.

**1950** Despite rumors of Taylor’s interest in Italian actress Lia di Leo, Barbara joined him in Rome. Bob had the apartment filled with gifts for Babs. [here, in Venice.]

**1951** They were divorced in March. Bob admitted “carrying a torch.” Night club dates started reconciliation rumors.

About giraffe44

I became a Robert Taylor fan at the age of 15 when his TV show, "The Detectives" premiered. My mother wanted to watch it because she remembered Mr. Taylor from the thirties. I took one look and that was it. I spent the rest of my high school career watching Robert Taylor movies on late night TV, buying photos of him, making scrapbooks and being a typical teenager. College, marriage and career intervened. I remember being sad when Mr. Taylor died. I mailed two huge scrapbooks to Ursula Thiess. I hope she got them. Time passed, retirement, moving to Florida. Then in 2012 my husband Fred pointed that there were two Robert Taylor movies that evening on Turner Classic Movies--"Ivanhoe" and "Quentin Durward." I watched both and it happened all over again. I started this blog both for fans and for people who didn't know about Robert Taylor. As the blog passes 200,000 views I'm delighted that so many people have come by and hope it will help preserve the legacy of this fine actor and equally good man.

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4 Responses to A Chronology of the Taylor-Stanwyck Marriage

Susan Wydra says:

February 7, 2021 at 11:27 pm

Short marriage.Try 56yrs! then I’ll be interested.

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giraffe44 says:

February 8, 2021 at 5:49 pm

Susan, I’m with you. 54 years in September. Judith

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Phyllis Caldwell says:

February 8, 2021 at 10:36 pm

I’ve always read that she never got over Bob and she never did remarry. What happened with the twins they were going to adopt? I assume that she couldn’t have children. And whatever happened to the child Dion that she adopted with her first husband? Barbara rather abandoned him. It was a happy story for Bob that he ended up in a happy marriage with a family!

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- giraffe44 says:
  
  February 10, 2021 at 6:34 pm
  
  Phyllis, she never got over him. I don’t think she wanted to divorce but gave him his freedom. I don’t think the twins had gone beyond the thinking stage. Dion grew up to a very unhappy man. He liked Mr. Taylor but Ms. Stanwyck wasn’t at all maternal. He had a rough time. Ms. Thiess was so good for Mr. Taylor–it was a true love match and, as you say, a happy family. Judith
  
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