The Scandalous Affair That Exiled Ingrid Bergman from Hollywood

Ingrid Bergman, the renowned actress known for her natural talent and unforgettable performances in films like Casablanca, is now hailed as one of the iconic stars of Hollywood's golden age.

It is hard to imagine a time when she wasn't beloved and revered by fans worldwide.

However, there was a period when Bergman was exiled from Hollywood and the United States entirely due to a scandal that rocked her career in 1950.

Born in Sweden in 1915, Bergman began her acting journey in her home country before venturing into the European film industry.

After starring in numerous Swedish films, she made her way to the US, where she quickly rose to fame as a new kind of Hollywood star.

Brought to America in the late 1930s to appear in an English-language version of her Swedish film “Intermezzo,” there were initial plans to mold Bergman into the typical Hollywood beauty.

However, she refused to conform to the American beauty standards set by Hollywood producer David O. Selznick, who wanted her to alter her appearance.

Eventually, it was decided that her natural beauty would become her selling point.

This decision proved to be incredibly successful, and Bergman went on to star in several major Hollywood films.

Her most famous role came in 1942 when she appeared alongside Humphrey Bogart in the classic film Casablanca.

At the time, Bergman had left her husband and daughter in Sweden to pursue her career in the US.

By the late 1940s, she had become a household name and a massive Hollywood heavyweight, even winning an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Gaslight.

In 1950, Bergman's career took a drastic turn when she decided to work with Italian director Roberto Rossellini.

Despite being married to other people, they began an illicit affair during the production of Rossellini's film Stromboli.

While affairs were not uncommon in Hollywood, the public was scandalized by Bergman's involvement in such a controversy.

The news of the affair quickly spread and made headlines in newspapers and tabloids, adding fuel to the fire was the revelation that Bergman was pregnant with Rossellini's child.

Overnight, her virtuous image was shattered, and she faced severe backlash from the public.

This scandal led to a decline in film offers, brand deals, and studio connections in the US.

The prevailing morals of the 1950s played a significant role in Bergman's downfall.

Her previous film roles had portrayed her as a virginal angel, making it even more shocking for the public to learn about her involvement in the Rossellini affair.

However, Bergman maintained that she was just a woman, not the saintly figure people had perceived her to be.

With limited options for work in the US and a strained relationship with the American public, Bergman chose to stay in Italy with Rossellini after the affair became public.

She desperately wanted to be reunited with her daughter, but her husband's refusal to grant a divorce made it difficult.

A custody battle ensued, and Bergman's residence in Italy and her exile from the US were used against her.

As a result, she did not see her daughter for seven years.

Even US politicians joined the chorus of criticism against Bergman, accusing her of “glamorizing free love” and calling for a boycott of her films.

One senator, Edwin C. Johnson, publicly berated her on the US senate floor, using harsh language to condemn her actions.

Throughout the 1950s, Bergman remained away from the US, marrying Rossellini in 1950 and divorcing him in 1957 after having three children together.

In a surprising turn of events, Bergman made a triumphant return to Hollywood in 1956, starring in the film Anastasia, which focused on the story of the ‘lost' Russian princess.

Although the film was produced in Europe, it resonated with American audiences and received critical acclaim.

In 1957, Bergman won her second Best Actress Oscar for her performance as Anastasia.

Wary of the US public's reception, Bergman chose not to attend the ceremony.

However, her co-star Cary Grant accepted the award on her behalf, expressing love and admiration for her.

Her subsequent roles in films like Murder on the Orient Express and Cactus Flower helped her regain the support of the American audience that had previously abandoned her.

Even Senator Johnson apologized for his previous comments against her.

Although the scandal and affair were not forgotten entirely, Bergman's divorce from Rossellini in 1957 helped repair her image.

She continued to star in American films for several decades until her death in 1982, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Hollywood's most talented actresses.

In the end, Ingrid Bergman's exile from Hollywood served as a testament to her resilience and determination to overcome adversity.

Despite the scandal that threatened to ruin her career, she emerged stronger and proved that talent and perseverance can triumph over controversy.