Inside the Intense Affair of Rita Moreno and Marlon Brando

Rita Moreno, a renowned Puerto Rican actor with a career spanning over 60 years, has not only made headlines for her acting achievements but also for her tumultuous relationships with fellow Hollywood actors.

One such relationship is her on-again-off-again romance with the legendary Marlon Brando.

During the Golden Age of Hollywood, both Moreno and Brando were among the biggest stars in the industry.

It was inevitable that their paths would cross, and they eventually started working together.

Their first meeting took place in 1954 on the set of Brando's Napoleon biopic “Désirée,” where he played the lead role.

At the time, Moreno was only 22 years old, and she was immediately captivated by the future icon.

They soon became involved in a passionate affair that lasted for eight years.

In her memoir published in 2013, Moreno described their first encounter as a rush of emotions that inspired poetry and songs, with her body temperature skyrocketing like being dropped into a hot bath.

However, their relationship was far from perfect.

Brando, though a great lover who made Moreno feel things she had never experienced before, had a tendency to become a different person at times.

He engaged in physical infidelities and emotional betrayals that left Moreno heartbroken and crushed.

Despite Brando's shortcomings and frequent infidelities, Moreno found herself unable to stay away from him.

She admitted to becoming addicted to the challenge of winning him over and over again.

Even when she tried to make him jealous by dating Elvis Presley, Moreno realized that Brando held the key to her heart and ultimately went back to him.

Their relationship took a devastating turn when Moreno discovered she was pregnant with Brando's child.

Brando arranged for her to have an abortion, which turned out to be botched.

Moreno suffered severe bleeding and had to be rushed to the hospital for surgery to remove the dead fetus.

This procedure put her life at risk, but Brando's main concern was the money he had spent on the abortion.

Following the traumatic experience, Brando left town to film “Mutiny on the Bounty” and fell in love with his co-star Tarita Teriipia, whom he later married.

Moreno, heartbroken by this betrayal, attempted to overdose on pills upon Brando's return.

She wanted to escape the pain, not seeking revenge.

Fortunately, Brando's assistant discovered her and rushed her to the hospital, saving her life by having her stomach pumped.

A therapist advised Moreno and Brando to stay away from each other for the sake of their own well-being, and they both agreed.

Moreno eventually found love and happiness with her husband of 45 years, Leonard Gordon, who passed away in 2010.

Despite her marital bliss, Moreno still cherishes a special place in her heart for Brando, keeping a photo of him in her bedroom and considering him the “lust of her life.”

In conclusion, Rita Moreno's affair with Marlon Brando was filled with intense emotions, heartbreak, and near-fatal consequences.

Their relationship was marked by passion, but also by infidelity and emotional turmoil.

Despite the challenges, Moreno found strength and moved on to find a lasting love with her late husband.

However, Brando remains an important figure in her life, a reminder of a love that will always hold a special place in her heart.