‘Casablanca’ Star Ingrid Bergman’s Scandalous Affair and Hollywood Shake-Up

Ingrid Bergman, the iconic Hollywood actress known for her role in ‘Casablanca', continues to be celebrated as a legend even four decades after her passing.

While she is hailed for her on-screen talent and collaborations with Hollywood greats like Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable, her personal life was marred by a scandal that almost destroyed her career.

In an era when scandal was heavily frowned upon, Bergman's affair with Italian director Roberto Rossellini became a turning point in her life.

Bergman's fascination with Rossellini began shortly after she finished filming ‘Casablanca'.

Feeling bored with the monotonous Hollywood style, she developed an interest in foreign films.

It was during this time that she watched one of Rossellini's Italian movies with her husband, Peter Lindstrom.

Bergman found herself captivated by the director's work and became somewhat obsessed with him.

Despite the lack of readily available access to his films, Bergman managed to see another one in theaters, prompting her to fly to Rome to meet Rossellini in person.

This encounter led to a year-long affair that nearly destroyed Bergman's career.

At the time, it was scandalous for her to admit to such a relationship, especially since she was still married to Lindstrom.

Complicating matters further, Bergman announced her pregnancy with Rossellini's child before their respective divorces were finalized.

The public's reaction to Bergman's behavior was one of shock and outrage.

The idea of having a child out of wedlock was scandalous and unacceptable to many.

Bergman did express her intention to marry Rossellini once both parties were free from their previous marriages.

However, the public remained unconvinced.

The controversy surrounding the affair became so significant that it attracted the attention of Congress.

A senator from Colorado criticized Bergman and even proposed a bill to protect Americans from such relationships with foreign individuals.

Although the bill never materialized, the public sentiment against Bergman was clear.

Despite the chaos surrounding her personal life, Bergman remained undeterred.

She eventually married Rossellini, but their union did not last.

The couple collaborated on a few films, none of which achieved success in the United States.

After obtaining an annulment seven years later, Bergman resurfaced in Hollywood as if nothing had happened.

Bergman's career proved to be resilient and unstoppable.

She made a triumphant return to the silver screen in ‘Anastasia', for which she won her second Academy Award.

It appeared that her time away from Hollywood had revitalized her spirit.

Bergman continued to work until her death in 1982, earning a third Oscar for her supporting role in ‘Murder on the Orient Express'.

Just before her passing, she ventured into television and received an Emmy for her portrayal of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in ‘A Woman Called Golda'.

Bergman's daughter, Isabella Rossellini, followed in her mother's footsteps and established herself as a prominent figure in Hollywood.

Isabella, born into a world of cinema, delivered notable performances in films like ‘Blue Velvet', a masterpiece of psychological horror.

Ingrid Bergman's affair and subsequent divorce caused a seismic shift in Hollywood, challenging societal norms and expectations.

Yet, despite the controversy, she emerged as a resilient and celebrated actress, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of film.