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Bonnie Bartlett Clarifies 'Open Marriage' Remarks
18 May
Summary
- Actress Bonnie Bartlett clarified past 'open marriage' comments.
- She stated their 75-year marriage never had formal rules.
- The couple faced painful times but ultimately stayed together.
Three years after Bonnie Bartlett described her marriage to William Daniels as "open," the 96-year-old actress has clarified her past remarks. In a recent interview, Bartlett explained that during their 75-year union, there were never formal discussions about rules or activities. She suggested that occasional attractions to others were natural in such a long relationship, but their lives "did go in different directions occasionally."
Bartlett's previous comments in 2023 had suggested a "bit of an open marriage" shortly after their 1951 wedding, which she described as "very painful" and ultimately unsuccessful. She noted that this period coincided with a more permissive atmosphere in New York. In her memoir, she revealed both she and Daniels had extramarital affairs during that time.
Despite these challenges, Bartlett stated that they "grew up" and have since built a happy life together, approaching their 75th wedding anniversary. They are parents to adopted sons Michael, 62, and Robert, 60, after tragically losing their biological son William Jr. just 24 hours after his birth in 1961.
