Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart: Unfaithful Emotionally, But Still a Legendary Love Story

A new book reveals that Hollywood's iconic couple, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, had a love story filled with emotional affairs.

According to Mann, their differences became apparent early on when Bacall struggled to establish her own identity beyond being Mrs. Bogart.

Although their relationship was romantic, loving, and committed, it was not always emotionally faithful.

Their love story began in 1944 when Bacall, at the age of 19, met the 45-year-old Bogart on the set of “To Have and Have Not.”

At the time, Bogart was married to his third wife, Mayo Methot, but they divorced, and he and Bacall tied the knot in 1945.

Mann reveals that Bacall was initially terrified of being labeled the “other woman” or a “femme fatale,” despite the disintegration of Bogart's marriage to Methot.

Bogart himself had concerns about losing his position in Hollywood but also didn't want to lose Bacall.

Their longing to be together prevailed over their worries.

The alleged emotional affairs began around 1952 when Bacall and Bogart became supporters of Democrat Adlai Stevenson's presidential campaign.

Mann writes that Bacall and Stevenson grew quite close, with Bogart often in the background.

Although there is no evidence of a physical relationship, their connection was definitely an affair of the heart.

Stevenson's loss in the November 1952 election devastated Bacall, and she attempted to maintain contact with him even after the campaign.

However, keeping in touch proved difficult, and it seemed that Bacall was more invested in the relationship than Stevenson.

While Bacall loved Bogart, Mann suggests that her relationship with Stevenson awakened a part of herself she had never known before.

Despite ultimately retreating her advances, Mann believes that her connection with Stevenson was the most intense, emotional, and intellectually stimulating of her life.

Bogart also had his own dalliances.

Before meeting Bacall, he had an affair with wigmaker Verita Thompson, who had created hairpieces for him early in his career.

Thompson and Bogart shared a loving relationship, bonding over their similar interests in drinking and sailing.

Thompson hoped for a future with Bogart, but when he chose Bacall, she was hurt and devastated.

Over time, Bogart and Thompson reconnected on an emotional level, especially as Bacall found her own world and friends, including Adlai Stevenson.

Despite their emotional indiscretions, Bogart and Bacall remained devoted to each other.

When Bogart was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1956, Bacall became his caregiver.

She stayed by his side, even sitting with him at the hospital and tending to his medical needs.

Bacall's unwavering love during his final months proved the depth of her feelings for him.

Bogart passed away from the disease in 1957, while Bacall lived until the age of 89, passing away in 2014.

Their love story, though marred by emotional affairs, remains one of Hollywood's legendary romances.