Ingrid Bergman's Scandalous Affair: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Public Backlash
In the golden era of Hollywood in the 1940s, Ingrid Bergman was a revered actress known for her luminous performances.
She captivated audiences with her portrayal of vulnerable characters like Ilsa in “Casablanca” and the tormented wife in “Gaslight.”
But behind her saint-like facade, Bergman had a secret that would scandalize America.
The Swedish star embarked on an affair with an Italian director, a notorious womanizer, and even bore him a child out of wedlock.
This unconventional relationship sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the public.
In fact, it caused such outrage that a U.S. senator publicly denounced Bergman as a “powerful influence for evil” in 1950.
Bergman, despite her pristine image, was a woman driven by ambition and desire.
She indulged in vices like smoking, drinking, and having affairs, much like her male co-stars.
However, society held women to different standards, and her actions were met with harsh judgment.
While she enjoyed commercial success, Bergman craved more serious roles.
She reached out to Italian neorealist director Roberto Rossellini, hoping to collaborate and elevate her career.
Rossellini, aware of her box-office draw, saw an opportunity.
Little did they know the public backlash their union would ignite.
In 1949, Bergman and Rossellini traveled to an island off the coast of Italy to film “Stromboli.”
Their passionate love affair had already begun, despite Bergman being married to a Swedish surgeon named Dr. Petter Lindstrom.
Rossellini himself was separated from his wife, having had a public affair with actress Anna Magnani.
Bergman wrote to Lindstrom, seeking a divorce, but he refused to cooperate.
She soon found herself pregnant with Rossellini's child, forcing her to publicly acknowledge the breakdown of her marriage.
On August 5, 1949, her publicist released a statement on her behalf, announcing her intention to divorce and retire from public life after completing her current film.
Rumors of Bergman's pregnancy spread like wildfire in the Italian press, and even American gossip queen Hedda Hopper took an interest.
During a lunch meeting, Hopper confronted Bergman about the rumors, to which the actress skillfully evaded with a question of her own.
Despite her denial, the scandal could not be contained.
Headlines in Los Angeles screamed of her impending motherhood.
The publicity surrounding the affair took a toll on Bergman and her family.
Her daughter, Pia, described the experience as traumatic, witnessing her mother go from being a revered saint to a condemned tramp overnight.
The guilt Bergman carried throughout her life was profound.
During her pregnancy, Bergman became a captive of the paparazzi, who camped outside her apartment day and night.
Meanwhile, Rossellini continued working on other projects, leaving her feeling lonely and isolated.
On February 2, 1950, she gave birth to a son named Robertino.
Unfortunately, Bergman and Rossellini's film “Stromboli” did not fare well at the box office when it was released in February 1950.
The couple faced further backlash the following month when Senator Edwin C. Johnson of Colorado publicly denounced them on the Senate floor.
He proposed a bill to ban actors engaged in immoral behavior from receiving licenses and approval for their films.
Senator Johnson seemed personally offended by Bergman's affair, expressing disappointment that she had not lived up to the ideal she represented.
His denouncement portrayed her as a threat to the sanctity of marriage.
Although Bergman faced obstacles in obtaining a divorce in the United States, she managed to divorce Lindstrom through the Mexican court system.
On May 24, 1950, she and Rossellini exchanged vows, finally sealing their union.
Her divorce from Lindstrom was granted in November 1950, with primary custody of Pia awarded to him.
However, their passionate affair did not translate into a successful marriage.
Rossellini wanted Bergman to give up her career and stay at home, which left her bored and unfulfilled.
He returned to his womanizing ways, and financial troubles began to mount.
Their films together failed to resonate with audiences.
In June 1952, Bergman gave birth to twin girls, but by the time they turned five, the couple had separated.
Rossellini fought for and won custody of their children.
Over time, the public outrage surrounding their scandalous affair subsided, and Bergman made a triumphant return to acting.
Though her film “Anastasia” wasn't a commercial hit, Bergman received a standing ovation when she won the Best Actress Oscar in 1957.
She reflected on her journey, remarking how she had gone from being revered as a saint to scorned as a tramp and back to being celebrated.
Bergman remarried in 1958 to Swedish producer Lars Schmidt, but their marriage ended in 1977 due to his infidelity.
By then, society had become more accepting of out-of-wedlock births, and he faced no public condemnation like Bergman had years before.
Tragically, Bergman passed away from bre-st cancer on her 67th birthday in 1982.
Her life was marked by scandal, love, betrayal, and ultimately redemption.
Despite the public backlash she endured, her legacy as one of Hollywood's greatest actresses remains intact.
