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Charlton Heston's Secret Diary for Lydia
6 Oct
Summary
- Heston kept a journal for his pregnant wife while filming in Egypt.
- He recognized his wife as 'the one' during a university theater class.
- The couple remained married for 64 years despite Heston's fame.
Charlton Heston created a personal journal while filming "The Ten Commandments" in Egypt, sending his thoughts and sketches to his wife, Lydia, who was pregnant and unable to join him. This marked the first time they had been separated since World War II.
Heston first met Lydia Clarke at Northwestern University, instantly knowing he wanted to marry her. Clarke was initially put off by his perceived arrogance but grew to love his intellect and humor, leading to their marriage in 1944.
Their early years were marked by Heston's service in World War II, during which he wrote daily letters to Lydia. Following his return and rise to fame with films like "The Greatest Show on Earth" and "The Ten Commandments," Heston's stardom presented challenges.
Despite Heston being an international sex symbol, the couple maintained a strong bond, with Charlton stating his marriage was too valuable to jeopardize. Their children, Fraser and Holly, remember a loving home environment filled with shared activities, cherishing their parents' 64-year union until Heston's passing in 2008.
Lydia later joined her family on a trip to Egypt, even climbing the Great Pyramid with her children.
