Some Lessons Have to Be Learned Twice
Some couples just can’t resist the pull—no matter how messy things get. Hollywood is full of stars who marched down the aisle twice (or even more) with the same person, convinced the sequel would outshine the original. Spoiler alert: it never did.
Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton
There really is nowhere else to start than with these two. The gold standard of on-again, off-again celebrity passion. Taylor and Burton married in 1964, divorced a decade later, remarried in 1975, and split again within a year. Their connection was volcanic—exciting to watch but impossible to sustain. Even they later admitted their love was legendary…not healthy.
Joop van Bilsen for Anefo, Wikimedia Commons
Pamela Anderson & Rick Salomon
Pam and Rick couldn’t quit each other—until they really did. They married in 2007, annulled it months later, reunited, and married again in 2014. By 2015, divorce papers were back on the table. Their chemistry never translated into stability.
Raph_PH and 888poker Spain, Wikimedia Commons
Melanie Griffith & Don Johnson
Teen love rarely survives adulthood, but Melanie and Don gave it two full tries. They married briefly in 1976, split, then reunited in 1989 and welcomed daughter Dakota Johnson. Still, old patterns resurfaced, and by 1996 they divorced again.
Eminem & Kim Scott
Few celebrity relationships were as publicly turbulent. Eminem and Kim married in 1999, divorced in 2001, remarried in 2006, and divorced again within months. Their emotional highs—and lows—played out in lyrics and headlines.
DOD News Features, Wikimedia Commons
Larry King & Alene Akins
Larry King was married eight times, but only Alene Akins got two ceremonies. They married in 1961, divorced in 1963, reunited in 1967, and divorced again in 1971. King later joked he wasn’t built for marriage—and this proved it.
Florida Memory, Wikimedia Commons
Barbara Walters & Merv Adelson
Barbara Walters and media mogul Merv Adelson married in 1981, divorced in 1984, remarried in 1986, and split once more in 1992. Their demanding careers made stability impossible, even on the second try.
Ron Galella, Ltd., Getty Images
Dionne Warwick & William Elliott
Warwick and Elliott married in 1966, divorced months later, remarried in 1967, and finally ended things in 1975. They shared deep affection and two sons—but love alone couldn’t bridge the divide.
Montclair Film, Wikimedia Commons
Lana Turner & Stephen Crane
Turner married Crane in 1942, annulled after learning he wasn’t legally divorced, remarried him in 1943, then divorced again in 1944. Even two ceremonies couldn’t straighten out their whirlwind relationship.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Elliott Gould & Jennifer Bogart
They gave marriage two shots—both short-lived. Gould married Bogart in 1973, divorced in 1975, remarried in 1978, and split again in 1979. They later admitted they simply weren’t compatible as partners.
Rodney Dangerfield & Joyce Indig
Rodney Dangerfield wed Joyce Indig in 1949, divorced in 1961, remarried her in 1963, and divorced again in 1970. Their passionate but chaotic dynamic didn’t calm down the second time around.
Press photo, photographer unknown, Wikimedia Commons
Jean-Claude Van Damme & Gladys Portugues
Van Damme and Portugues married in 1987, divorced in 1992, then remarried in 1999. After years of tension, rumors, and reconciliations, they separated again—proving a second chance doesn’t guarantee success.
Marie McDonald & Harry Karl
Actress Marie McDonald and businessman Harry Karl married in 1947, divorced in 1954, remarried that same year, and divorced again in 1958. Their relationship was dramatic even by Hollywood standards.
Toronto Star Archives, Getty Images
Mickey Rooney & Betty Jane Baker
Mickey Rooney married Betty Jane Baker in 1944, divorced in 1949, remarried her in 1950, and divorced again in 1951. Their relationship moved fast in every direction—and never settled.
Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer, Wikimedia Commons
Mickey Rooney & Barbara Ann Thomason
Yup, Rooney again. This time he married Barbara Ann Thomason in 1958, divorced her in 1965, then reconciled and remarried her that same year. Their volatile relationship ended again soon after.
George Foreman & Adrienne Calhoun
Foreman married Adrienne Calhoun in 1971, divorced in 1974, remarried her the same year, and divorced again shortly after. Their second run was even shorter than the first.
Rex Harrison & Rachel Roberts
Harrison and Roberts married in 1962, divorced in 1971, remarried in 1978, and split less than a year later. Their passionate dynamic proved too unstable for marriage—twice.
George C. Scott & Colleen Dewhurst
Scott and Dewhurst married in 1960, divorced in 1965, remarried in 1967, and divorced again in 1972. They cared deeply for each other but never managed to make marriage work.
Ben Stein & Alexandra Denman
Ben Stein married Alexandra Denman in 1968, divorced in 1974, remarried her in 1977, and separated again later on. Even a thoughtful second attempt couldn’t keep them together.
Rod Taylor & Peggy Williams
Rod Taylor married Peggy Williams in 1951, divorced soon after, remarried her in 1954, and divorced again in 1955. Their relationship was a classic Hollywood loop of romance, breakup, reunion, repeat.
Movie studio, Wikimedia Commons
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