Charlie Chaplin’s Divorce Papers Reveal Shocking Treatment of Teenage Bride

Charlie Chaplin, the renowned film star, is making headlines once again, but this time it's not for his comedic talents.

Recently discovered divorce papers shed light on Chaplin's alleged “cruel and inhumane” treatment of his teenage bride during their short-lived marriage.

The union between Chaplin, 35 at the time, and Lita Grey, who was nearly 20 years his junior, lasted a mere three years before ending in divorce.

According to the papers, Chaplin seduced the impressionable 16-year-old with promises of marriage and then attempted to convince her to have an abortion when she became pregnant.

On their wedding night, Chaplin reportedly confided in friends, suggesting that the marriage was a better alternative to prison.

The divorce papers, a 50-page document, were recently found in America and are expected to fetch around £15,000 at auction.

This rare insight into Chaplin's troubled marriage has sparked interest among collectors and film enthusiasts alike.

Lita Grey, now an adult, unveiled shocking details of their marriage in the divorce papers.

Allegations include claims that Chaplin engaged in s**ual relations with the “virtuous and inexperienced” Lita when she was just 16, after promising to marry her.

Friends recall Chaplin saying to Lita on their wedding night, “This marriage won't last long, I will make you so damn sick of me that you won't want to live with me.”

Furthermore, the documents allege that Chaplin deliberately delayed their marriage after Lita fell pregnant, hoping she would consider having an abortion or what was referred to as a “criminal operation.”

The silent movie star also faced accusations of labeling his young bride a “gold digger” who aimed to ruin his career and hinder his professional success.

In addition to these shocking revelations, the divorce papers contain an order preventing Chaplin from moving his wealth to avoid affecting the court proceedings.

It is believed that only a handful of copies were made, with one sent to Chaplin himself and the others distributed among film companies and banks involved in the case.

Now, almost a century later, these historic legal documents are up for sale by Parade Antiques in Plymouth for a staggering £15,000.

John Cabello, the owner of the antiques shop, explains that the papers were obtained from an individual in America who saved them from being discarded.

Cabello adds, “When the papers were published, Chaplin was ostracized for a while.

People in the know thought he was quite a nasty piece of work.”

Rob Morrish, responsible for researching and handling the delicate papers, describes the extensive effort put into preserving this historical artifact.

The papers provide intimate details of the couple's tumultuous relationship, suggesting that Lita's lawyers aimed to tarnish Chaplin's reputation and secure a larger settlement.

Ultimately, in 1927, Lita Grey and Charlie Chaplin divorced, and she was granted a settlement of $800,000, an unprecedented amount at the time.

Although Lita achieved her desired outcome, Chaplin's career continued to flourish.

The recently discovered divorce papers not only shed light on the personal lives of these iconic figures but also highlight the challenges faced by women in the early 20th century seeking justice and fair treatment in divorce proceedings.

This glimpse into the past serves as a reminder of the progress made and the ongoing struggle for equality in relationships and marriages.