Tragic stories from the lives of famous people. Perfect Celebrity Couples: True Love Stories

On the eve of Valentine's Day, we decided to recall the stories of the great novels of the 20th century - those that shocked the world and in one way or another influenced modern society.

The most touching and passionate, happy and unhappy novels famous people, stories mutual love and ostentatious prosperity, marriages of people equal in their greatness and the most famous misalliances.

Wallis Simpson – Edward VIII of England

The history of the most famous misalliance in recent history received an incredible response as the English monarch Edward VIII(Edward VIII) (1894–1972) became the first and only king in the history of England to voluntarily abdicate. The reason was passionate love to a twice-divorced American woman.

It was not even a scandal - it seemed that the end of the world had come and the collapse of the moral and ethical norms and foundations of secular society.

The heir to the main monarchy of the world was 36 years old when he met Mrs. Wallis Simpson (Wallis Simpson) (1896-1986), née Warfield. The woman was married for the second time and lived in London with her husband, wealthy businessman Ernest Simpson.

Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson The fateful meeting took place in early November 1930, when the Simpsons were invited to a dinner party, where the Prince of Wales was to attend. The legend says that English prince was fascinated at first sight, although Wallis was not even a beauty. According to contemporaries, she was unremarkable at first glance, special, but in communication she had an amazing charm.

Amazingly, the lovers did not hide their feelings, even despite the status of Edward and marital status Wallis. They appeared together on the streets, social events and in restaurants. The royal family did not even think that this shameful hobby would last long. But when it became clear that the romance was dragging on, attempts were made to hide the details of the prince's relationship from the public.

In January 1936, King George V of England died and Edward assumed the throne. In parallel, Wallis filed for divorce. About the legal union of Edward with an American The Royal Family nor did Parliament wish to hear. Edward was given a choice: either the throne or Wallis. His choice was unequivocal: the price for love was the abdication of the English throne.

On December 10, 1936, Edward VIII delivered his famous speech to the people: “You all know the circumstances that forced me to abdicate the throne. But I want you to understand that in making this decision, I have not forgotten about my country and empire ... But you must also believe that it is impossible for me to fulfill my duty as a king in the way I would like it to be, without help and support for the woman I love…”

The couple lived happily ever after, traveled, wrote memoirs. Them family idyll continued until 1972, until Edward died of cancer.

Vivien Leigh - Laurence Olivier

The most famous couple British theater and film actors Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier challenged the puritanical England of the 1930s when she stopped hiding her whirlwind romance. The difficulty of the situation was that both were married. The spouses did not give them a divorce, and the need to live in sin, deceit and an atmosphere of universal censure forced Vivien Leigh to give candid interview to The Times magazine, where she honestly outlined the details of her personal drama. The public unexpectedly went to meet the favorites of the public who were leaving for America - it was there that Vivienne won her right to play Scarlett O "Hara in the film adaptation" Gone with the wind».

Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were not just movie stars, but intellectual actors who achieved the status of great performers. Both shone in the theater and cinema, and their love story unfolded on stage and in life - unlike most acting couples, they worked perfectly in the frame and on stage. So, they played together in the film "Flames over England" (1937) and the classic film version of "Lady Hamilton" (1941), where Lawrence played the role of Nelson, and Vivienne - Emma Hamilton. In addition, they were united by a huge number of joint theatrical works. Their tandem was recognized in their homeland as the most outstanding theatrical duet. Lawrence was called "the king among actors", and Vivienne became a national treasure after receiving two Oscars for her roles as Scarlett in Gone with the Wind and Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire. Her international fame gained momentum. The image of the world's first beauty and the main British actress, as well as the marriage, which was called the happiest among acting unions - all this seemed like a dream come true for millions of viewers.

But there was no happy ending in this love story. Bright life two excellent actors was not so cloudless. As you know, Vivienne was an incredible woman. inner strength who wants what she wants at any cost. All biographers vied with each other to tell how she twice made fateful promises to herself. For the first time - being still nobody famous actress who saw the famous Laurence Olivier. After the first meeting, Vivienne resolutely told everyone she knew that she would marry him. At the time it seemed like pure madness. The second time she made a big promise was on the eve of the filming of Gone with the Wind, when the biggest film casting in the history of the United States was gaining momentum. First Hollywood beauties they dreamed of playing Scarlett, no one believed in the success of the visiting Englishwoman. "Larry will not play Rhett Butler, but I will play Scarlett!" Vivienne then announced.

It was said that Vivien was more practical than Larry in all matters, but, like a true woman, she gave the impression that her husband made all decisions. Strong character, however, was also her problem - like many great actresses, she had an extremely mobile psyche. Each absence of her husband for shooting could end in depression for her, and work on the role could lead to attacks of obsession. Her genius, turning into whims and wayward attacks, began to annoy her husband.

After 17 years together, Lawrence left her, unable to withstand another bout of hysteria. She was already seriously ill. Many fans of the actress consider Olivier, first of all, not a brilliant actor, but a cowardly traitor - depression aggravated the course of the disease, and Vivien Leigh died of pulmonary tuberculosis in the summer of 1967 at her home in Ethan Square in London.

Eva Duarte - Juan Peron Evita - a household name in Argentina and the most famous first lady of the twentieth century. The second wife of the 29th and 41st President Juan Peron, Eva Duarte, was an example of an ideal communicator, diplomat and ideological inspirer of the first person of the state.

She was born into a poor family and devoted her whole life to the struggle for better life. Legend has it that the young actress and the colonel became lovers on the very first day they met. Peron, who initiated the military coup, might not have had so many ambitions if not for Eva, who made him believe that he would definitely become the head of government. Perón appeared openly with his young girlfriend, shocking the officers with his relationship with the actress.

After the arrest of Peron, October 17, 1945 happened - this date went down in the history of Argentina as the day of "the liberation of Peron by the people." 5,000 workers and their families gathered in the May Square in Buenos Aires in front of the presidential palace, demanding "the return of the colonel." After such support, Peron began to prepare for the presidential election, having previously married Eva, who immediately left her job in the cinema and entered the headquarters of his closest aides. Peron relied on feminist slogans, and therefore wanted to have a wife next to him, a presidential candidate, personifying the increased role of women in the modern world.

Who were they, famous lovers? Heroes of the bright literary works, or real people? Now it doesn't matter at all! For they strive to be like them, their names are taken as pseudonyms, and, following their example, they perform genuine Actions. A dozen immortal love stories - only on the eve of the most romantic holiday in the world!

THE STORY OF ROMEO AND JULIET

This couple, with the light hand of William Shakespeare, has become simply synonymous with the word "love." Even though they real story incredibly tragic. Two loving teenagers managed to find the strength to oppose their feelings to the world, society, mortally hostile relatives. Little Verona became the backdrop for an epoch-making event. In its very center, in the fertile soil of two young hearts, a small seed of love at first sight was thrown. Soon it sprouted, turned into beautiful flower passionate feeling. And for the sake of such incredible love, you just had to die! It is only regrettable that death in this case was not a pompous promise, but a tragic reality. However, the love and death of young Romeo and Juliet was able to melt the hearts of the warring relatives, to reconcile them. Perhaps it is thanks to such an incredibly tragic ending that Shakespeare's plot leaves a deep mark on the hearts and souls of many generations!

HISTORY OF CLEOPATRA AND MARK ANTONY

The intriguing love story of Antony and Cleopatra is still heard today. They fell in love at first sight, and became victims of tragic circumstances. Their relationship created a powerful foundation for the statehood and economy of Egypt. And it was this fact that caused confusion in the great and powerful state called Rome. Despite all the threats and prohibitions, Cleopatra and Mark Antony got married. Their wedding was the beginning great war between Rome and Egypt. In the midst of one of the great battles, false news was brought to Antony that Cleopatra had died. The glorious warrior, accustomed to always defeating even the most powerful enemy, could not survive the news of the death of his beloved. Heartbroken, he fell on his own sword. When Cleopatra found out about the death of Mark Antony, she also committed suicide. Indeed, great love requires very great sacrifices.

THE HISTORY OF LANCELOT AND GUINEVER

This time, a tragic love story took place in good old England, between one of the bravest knights of King Arthur's Round Table, Sir Lancelot, and the king's wife, Queen Guinevere. It so happened that the marriage of Arthur and Guinevere was only a mutually beneficial contract for their families. But you can't tell your heart! And it was the heart that led the once noble knight, Sir Lancelot, to her window. At first, he called her his Lady of the Heart, dedicated victories in jousting tournaments and real battles to her. Guinevere accepted all romantic attentions, but nevertheless tried to keep Lancelot at a distance. But soon her heart could not resist and a deep feeling flared up in it. Lancelot and Guinevere began to secretly meet. One of these dates became a trap for them. Lancelot managed to escape, and Guinevere was sentenced to be burned at the stake for adultery. However, Lancelot did not leave his beloved. He saved her, snatched her right out of the "paws" of the fire. The subsequent history of the lovers is not known for certain. But they say that Guinevere became a nun in one of the remote monasteries of England, and Lancelot wandered the world for the rest of his life.

THE STORY OF TRISTAN AND ISELD

Another, no less tragic story about great love with English roots. Middle Ages. England. The reign of King Arthur. Iseult was the daughter of the ruler of Ireland, and she was soon to be married to King Mark of Cornwall. King Mark sent his nephew Tristan to Ireland to accompany Iseult to Cornwall. But it so happened that during the trip the young people fell in love with each other. Although, following the duty of honor, she did marry Mark. Soon the king learned about the feelings of his nephew and wife. Scandal erupted. Pulling himself together, Mark forgave Isolde, and Tristan was banished from Cornwall forever.

THE STORY OF PARIS AND HELENA

Homer's Iliad glorified these two lovers throughout the world. However, many scientists consider the existence of Elena the Beautiful to be more of a fiction, a beautiful ancient Greek legend, than a real fact. However, the story of a great love that was the beginning Trojan War, continues to inspire romantics, writers and directors to create new magnificent masterpieces of art.

Helen was the wife of the Spartan king Menelaus. Paris is the son of the Trojan king Priam. A young man, once seeing Elena, a woman unearthly beauty, fell in love. Burning with feeling from the inside, he kidnapped the Spartan queen and brought her home to Troy. Menelaus did not forgive such humiliation and betrayal, gathered a huge army and destroyed Troy to the ground. Helen was returned to Sparta. Menelaus, who sincerely loved her, forgave the traitor. The fate of Paris is not known for certain.

THE HISTORY OF ODYSSEY AND PENELOPE

Odysseus and Penelope are an example of a rare sacrifice in the name of love and the ability to wait. Immediately after the wedding, Odysseus was forced to leave his young wife and go to war. Penelope waited twenty long years for his return. During this time, she rejected the proposals of 108 men who sought to replace her husband. Odysseus, on the way, also remained faithful and chaste. One day he met a beautiful witch who offered him eternal youth in return for loving her. Refusing such an offer, Odysseus underwent many trials and wanderings. But after 20 years, he, nevertheless, returned home to Penelope and his son.

THE LOVE STORY OF SCARLETT OHARA AND RETTA BUTLER

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is one of the few truly immortal literary works about love. All generations read it. At the same time, the girls strive to be like the explosive and passionate Scarlett. The girls are looking for their Butlers among the crowds of fans. They are looking for because the love of the main characters was great, stormy, passionate. She was born in the midst of the Civil War and was like a daily civil war that brought so much pain, loss, suffering and disappointment to both of them.

LOVE STORY OF SALIM AND ANARKALI

The son of the Mughal emperor Akbar, Salim, fell in love with the beautiful courtesan Anarkali. But the emperor could not forgive his heir for his love for a fallen woman, he considered it a shame for himself and for the state. Between father and son began real war. Salim was defeated in battle with the mighty army of the emperor and was sentenced to death. On the day of the execution, Anarkali appeared on the square, threw herself at the emperor's feet and said that she was ready to die, if only Salim would live. Akbar accepted such a sacrifice. In front of her beloved, the girl was immured alive in a brick wall.

THE LOVE STORY OF POCAHONTAS AND JOHN SMITH

This love story is famous legend from the history of America. Pocahontas was the daughter of an Indian chief of the Algonquian Indians. In May 1607, the girl saw the English for the first time. And among them - John Smith, who seemed to her very attractive. However, Pocahontes and Smith met in the midst of a war between ethnic tribes and conquerors. Captured British Indians succumbed to terrible torture. Pocahontas saved John, and an affair began between them. By virtue of her love, the girl converted to Christianity. She was baptized with the name Rebecca.

THE STORY OF QUEEN VICTORIA AND PRINCE ALBERT

A love story of crowned persons. Victoria was a lively, cheerful girl, in love with painting and the world. She ascended the English throne in 1837 after the death of her uncle, King William IV. In 1840 she married her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. At first, the choice of Victoria was not approved by the people. But then Albert earned the deep trust and respect of people with his honesty, hard work and devotion to his family. Albert and Victoria had nine children. The queen in all public affairs listened to the opinion of her husband. When Albert died (1861), Victoria observed strict mourning and did not appear in public for three whole years. Three years later, returning to public duties, she continued to mourn for her beloved spouse. She did not shoot black for 40 years, until her death. Dikmi: All the famous lovers in the world have been different. Exactly the same as their ways of life, meetings, happiness and tragedy were different. But we have a lot to learn from them. Learn loyalty, devotion, courage and sacrifice. However, our time also raises its heroes. And who knows, maybe in 100 years, we will describe exactly your Love on the pages of publications! And we will admire the deeds for the glory of her name and devotion in her honor! And let the wise thoughts of famous connoisseurs of real feelings inspire you to great deeds!

Love is the most extraordinary feeling in the world. Throughout the history of mankind, it has inspired poets, writers and singers, and sometimes love even served as a pretext for crimes and wars between entire countries. In our today's selection - ten of the most famous couples, whose love story led to tragic consequences. Some of them are authentically existing historical characters, others we know mostly from legends and myths.

10 PHOTOS

According to legend, Paris was a Trojan prince, and Helen was the wife of Menelaus, the ruler of Sparta. Not finding mutual understanding with her husband, for whom she was forcibly given, Elena fled from Sparta along with the handsome Paris. However, in the midst of preparations for the wedding, Menelaus arrived with his troops at the walls of Troy, and a war broke out in which many Trojans died, including Paris. Elena had to return back to Sparta.

According to Greek myology, Orpheus was a talented singer, and Eurydice was his wife, who was once stung by a snake and died. After that, Orpheus, unable to live without his beloved, descended into the mythical kingdom of Hades. He so fascinated the inhabitants of the Underworld that Hades agreed to let Eurydice go, but on the condition that Orpheus should not look back until they leave the realm of the dead. But Orpheus could not stand it and turned around to see if Eurydice was following him, and she was taken back to the kingdom of Hades.

The love story between the Roman commander Mark Antony and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra is widely known for its dramatic ending. Both lovers committed suicide after their troops were defeated in battle against Caesar's army.

Characters from a medieval legend who fall in love despite the fact that Tristan's uncle, Mark, is supposed to marry Iseult. Nevertheless, Isolde was married to Mark, and Tristan was married to the daughter of the King of Britain, Isolde Beloruka. The story ended with the fact that Tristan was wounded by a poisoned weapon, and Isolde, who did not have time to say goodbye to him, soon died of grief. In the ranking of free audiobooks "Romance Stories" - the novel Tristan and Isolde is one of the most popular.

According to legend, Guinevere, the wife of King Arthur, was madly in love with Lancelot, one of the knights round table. When Arthur found out about this, the bitter rivalry between him and Lancelot broke the unity of the knights. In the end, Arthur was killed, and Guinevere, out of grief, went to the monastery.

The most famous love story, written by the famous Shakespeare, tells about the relationship between young lovers from two warring Italian families. Probably everyone knows how the story ended - Romeo poisoned himself, thinking that Juliet had died, and she, finding him dead, killed herself with a dagger.

Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal were for a long time happy together until Mumtaz Mahal died giving birth to their 14th child. Devastated by grief, Shah Jahan could not recover for a long time, but found some solace in the construction of a luxurious mausoleum in memory of his wife. This mausoleum still stands today, it is known as the Taj Mahal.

The relationship between Napoleon and his wife Josephine was said to have been very turbulent, and eventually led to a divorce. However, when Napoleon died, last words The emperor was addressed specifically to Josephine, his first wife. The love between the young king and the widow, who is 12 years older than him, caused outrage and protest both from the public and from Alexander's mother. However, he did not listen to anyone's advice and insisted on marriage. It all ended with the fact that the royal couple was killed by a group of military officers who were dissatisfied with their rule.

American robbers who organized a gang responsible for several armed robberies and murders. Despite their criminal activities, according to eyewitnesses, Bonnie and Clyde loved each other deeply and were inseparable. The gangster love story ended very badly - the police shot down their car from an ambush, as a result of which both died on the spot.

Love is always patient and kind, it is never jealous. Love is never boastful and conceited, rude and selfish, it does not take offense and does not offend!

Mark Antony (83 - 30 BC) and Cleopatra (63 - 30 BC)

The Egyptian queen Cleopatra became famous as a skilled seductress. Even the great Julius Caesar became a victim of her charms, taking the side of Cleopatra in her conflict with her brother and returning the throne to her. But the most famous is the story of her relationship with the Roman commander Mark Antony. For the sake of the beautiful Egyptian queen, Antony left his wife and quarreled with the emperor Octavian Augustus. Antony and Cleopatra together opposed Augustus, challenging his right to rule over Rome after Caesar's death, but lost. After the defeat, Antony threw himself on the sword, and Cleopatra committed suicide 12 days later. According to one of the legends, she put to her chest poisonous snake, according to another - put her hand into a basket with a snake.

Mark Antony Cleopatra

Pierre Abelard (1079 - 1142) and Heloise (circa 1100 - 1163)

tragic story The love of the famous medieval philosopher Pierre Abelard and a girl named Eloise has survived to this day thanks to Abelard's autobiography "The History of My Disasters", as well as the works of numerous poets and writers. 40-year-old Abelard took his young sweetheart from the house of her uncle, Canon Fulbert, to Brittany. There Eloise gave birth to a son, and the couple married in secret. However, the girl did not want to interfere with her husband's academic career, because the rules of that time required that the scientist should not be married. She went to live in a Benedictine monastery. Fulber laid the blame for this on Abelard and, with the help of servants, castrated him, thereby blocking his path to high positions forever. Soon Abelard went to the monastery, after him took the tonsure and Eloise. Until the end of life former spouses corresponded, and after death they were buried next to Parisian cemetery Pere Lachaise.

Pierre Abelard Eloise

Henry II (1519 - 1559) and Diane de Poitiers (1499 - 1566)

Diana de Poitiers, the official mistress of the French King Henry II, was 20 years older than her lover. However, this did not prevent her from maintaining her influence over the king throughout his life. In fact, the beautiful Diana was the full ruler of France, and the real queen and wife of Henry II, Catherine de Medici, was in the background. It is believed that even in old age, Diane de Poitiers amazed with her extraordinary freshness, beauty and lively mind. Even in her sixties, she remained the first lady in the heart of the king, who wore her colors and generously endowed her with titles and privileges. In 1559, Henry II was wounded in a tournament and soon died of his wounds, and Diane de Poitiers left court, leaving all her jewels to the queen dowager. The last years of her life, the former ruler of France spent in her own castle.

Diane de Poitiers Henry II

Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758 - 1805) and Lady Emma Hamilton (1761 or 1765 - 1815)

Englishwoman Emma Hamilton went from a saleswoman to the wife of the British ambassador in Naples. There, in Naples, she met the famous Admiral Nelson and became his mistress. This affair lasted 7 years, from 1798 to 1805. Newspapers wrote about the admiral's scandalous relationship with another man's wife, but public censure did not change Nelson's feelings for Lady Hamilton. In 1801 their daughter, Horace, was born. On October 21, 1805, Admiral Nelson was mortally wounded during the Battle of Trafalgar. After his death, Emma found herself in a difficult situation: although Nelson asked the government to take care of her in the event of his death, about his mistress national hero completely forgotten. Lady Hamilton spent the rest of her life in poverty.

Admiral Horatio Nelson Lady Emma Hamilton

Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier in Lady Hamilton. 1941

Alexander Kolchak (1886-1920) and Anna Timiryova (1893-1975))

Anna and Alexander met in 1915 in Helsingfors. Anna was 22, Kolchak - 41.

Between their first meeting and the last - five years. Most of this time they lived apart, each with his own family. We didn't see each other for months or even years. Finally deciding to unite with Kolchak. In August 1918, by a decree of the Vladivostok Consistory, she was officially divorced from her husband and after that considered herself Kolchak's wife. Together they stayed from the summer of 1918 to January 1920. At that time, Kolchak headed armed struggle with Bolshevism, was the supreme ruler. Until the very end, they addressed each other with "you" and by name and patronymic.

In the surviving letters - there are only 53 of them - only once she breaks out - “Sashenka”: “It’s very bad to eat, Sashenka, my dear, Lord, when you just return, I’m cold, sad and so lonely without you.”
Infinitely loving the admiral, Timiryova herself went under arrest in January 1920. “I was arrested on the train of Admiral Kolchak and with him. I was then 26 years old, I loved him, and was close to him, and could not leave him in last years his life. That, in essence, is all, ”Anna Vasilyevna wrote in her statements about rehabilitation.

A few hours before the execution, Kolchak wrote a note to Anna Vasilievna, which never reached her: “My dear dove, I received your note, thank you for your kindness and concern for me ... do not worry about me. I feel better, my colds are gone. I think that transfer to another cell is impossible. I only think about you and your fate... I don't worry about myself - everything is known in advance. Every step I take is being watched, and it is very difficult for me to write ... send it to me. Your notes are the only joy I can have. I pray for you and bow before your self-sacrifice. My dear, my adored, do not worry about me and save yourself ... goodbye, I kiss your hands.

After his execution in 1920, she lived for another half a century, spending a total of about thirty years in prisons, camps and exile. In the intervals between arrests, she worked as a librarian, archivist, painter, props in the theater, draftsman. Rehabilitated in March 1960. She died in 1975.

Alexander Kolchak Anna Timiryova

Narcotic Russian-French love

Vysotsky had a rare skill - he could conquer any woman. The key to this phenomenon lay in his unrestrained character, he was like a splash of champagne, dousing his chosen one with a wave of charm and leading him away. Marina Vlady turned out to be a tough nut to crack and at first resisted, surprised at his self-confidence, with which he said that he would definitely achieve her hand.

Having seen a lot in her 30 years, the actress for the first time did not know what to do, how to relate to this strange person. She went back to Paris and felt a nagging feeling of longing. Where is it from? The answer came with a phone call from Russia. Hearing a familiar velvety voice, Marina realized that she was gone. She was in love.

When bright brutality meets expressive femininity, there can be only one result - love. Although their love was more like a battlefield. For Vlady and Vysotsky, every day lived together was a holiday, they saw each other so rarely. Endless visa requests, huge distances tormented both, but also saved their marriage. It would be difficult for two bright personalities to get along together.

And Marina and Vladimir fought with ... Vysotsky himself, his addictions, that side of his personality that drew him to the edge of the abyss. They fought with higher authorities for the right to be able to see each other as often as possible. However, now that Vlady is left alone, she no longer remembers the difficulties, she only remembers love.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono

The love of the famous "Beatle" and the Japanese artist

The ill-wishers called her a demon in a female form, and him - an uncomplaining victim. Fans of the Beatles blamed her for the collapse of the famous Liverpool Four. The Beatles themselves disliked her. Except, of course, Lennon. Of meeting Yoko, he said, "It's like I won a big prize." And on the evening of their acquaintance, she wrote in her diary: “It seems that I have found someone I can love,” Yoko always knew exactly what she wanted.

And now Lennon began to receive postcards with the inscriptions "Breathe", "Dance", "Watch the fire before dawn." Yoko called him and talked to him for hours about art. Watched at the house. She wanted to win him over. And she succeeded. After some time, John discovered that he was not indifferent to her. After a while, John discovered that he did not want to live a single day without her. “The child of the ocean is calling me,” he sang in one of the songs. (Yoko means "child of the ocean" in Japanese).

By the age of 27, John Lennon had crazy popularity, a millionth fortune, a house with 100 bedrooms, luxury cars, a wife and a son. He had everything and he was bored. Yoko also missed her and was looking for something new. They immediately divorced their previous spouses and got married. Their honeymoon took place in Amsterdam, causing a buzz with their "bed interviews". The reporters gathered at the door of their Hilton suite expected the controversial couple to wish to give interviews while having sex, but Yoko and John, in white pajamas, sat on the bed in the flower-decorated suite and talked about peace - it was their protest against the Vietnam War.

The album "Two Virgins" also came out shocking. On the cover, Yoko and John were photographed naked, and there was no music at all in the album - only groans, squeaks and other sounds. They participated in demonstrations, made films, John recorded songs. However, critics wrote: "The songs have become weaker." Former fans said: "Yoko John is not good." John developed depression again. Youko suggested that they separate for a while. She knew John needed time. He must decide for himself who he is and where he is.

Again parties, new friends and girlfriends. And new songs. Lennon's compositions were again at the top of the charts. However, was he happy? John is mad with longing for Yoko. He was catastrophically, painfully missing her. They met a year and a half later. And they didn't part again.

October 8, 1975, on the day of John's 35th birthday, Yoko gave birth to his son. Lennon found peace: "I am free as never before and ready for new creativity." They lived in unison - until that fatal shot of a crazy fan in December 1980. “Why doesn’t anyone believe that we just love each other?” Lennon laughed. “We just loved each other,” Yoko says the same thing now in rare interviews. Everything else is pop history.

Henry Ford and Clara Jane Bryant

The story of a great inventor and his great wife

In the late 1990s, a young mechanic worked for an electric company in Detroit for $11 a week. He worked 10 hours a day, and when he got home, he often worked half the night in his barn, trying to invent a new type of engine. His father believed that the guy was wasting time, the neighbors called him crazy, no one believed that anything good would come of these activities. Nobody but his wife. She helped him work at night, holding a kerosene lamp over his head for several hours. Her hands turned blue, her teeth chattered from the cold, she caught a cold every now and then, but ... She believed in her husband so much!

Years later, a noise came from the barn. Neighbors saw how a madman and his wife rode along the road without a horse, in the same cart. The eccentric's name was Henry Ford. By the age of fifty, Ford became a multimillionaire, and his car became one of the national symbols of America. When, while recording an interview with Henry Ford, a certain journalist asked who Ford would like to be in another life, the genius answered simply: “Anyone. If only my wife was next to me.

Alexander Pushkin and Natalia Goncharova

Deadly love of a poet

One of the first beauties of Moscow met Alexander Pushkin at the ball. The poet was so struck by the beauty and spirituality of a sixteen-year-old girl that he literally “fell ill with love” and soon asked for her hand. He was refused, because Pushkin was twice as old as Natalya - he was 30. He tried his luck a year later and this time he received consent.

For the six years that the couple lived together, Natalya Nikolaevna gave birth to her husband four children. But the young woman missed social entertainment and the success she enjoyed as a young and free girl. It is said that at every opportunity she flirted with men, considering this an entirely innocent occupation. Pushkin received a remark about the behavior of his wife even from Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich.

The French officer Dantes courted Natalya deliberately in public, so that everyone (and especially Pushkin) could see his undisguised passion and lust. There was nothing vicious between them, and it seemed to her that everything that was happening was completely innocent. The last straw was the libel, in which the jealous husband was awarded a "cuckold diploma". Natalya was indeed naive, believing that the hot descendant of an Ethiopian could survive such humiliation.

Pushkin challenged Dantes to a duel, where he was mortally wounded. And yet he did not blame his wife and before his death he told her: “You are not to blame for anything!”. And Natalya Goncharova did everything as the dying Pushkin told her: he asked her to leave the city, wear mourning for two years, and after ... after marry a decent person. The poet loved his wife so much that even being on his deathbed, he could not help thinking about her happiness.

Cleopatra and Caesar

The bloody love of the pharaoh and the emperor

Men went crazy over her, for the night spent in her arms, they were ready to give their lives and went for it voluntarily. The great Roman commanders also paid with their lives: Caesar and Mark Antony. Cleopatra was not a beauty, but she had incredible charm and charisma, she was seductive, insidious and very smart. This first female politician in history received an excellent education, studied mathematics, philosophy, literature, skillfully played musical instruments and knew 8 languages.

She made Caesar fall in love with herself by cunning: dressed in the most beautiful outfits, she ordered the servants to wrap her in a carpet and bring her as a gift to Caesar. Knowing the intricacies of all the love pleasures that existed at that time ancient world, Cleopatra, struck the spoiled emperor with ingenuity and a subtle sense of humor. Her movements and voice literally bewitched Caesar. Julius, that very night he became her lover. Thus, Cleopatra paid a huge public debt, received the Egyptian throne and the love of the great commander. But the Romans could not forgive him love relationship with an Egyptian, and as a result of an insidious conspiracy, Caesar was killed.

Cleopatra was able to fall in love with herself and another commander who fought for the "Roman throne" - Mark Antony. It was a crazy passion, sweeping away everything in its path, but even here the lovers were in for a failure. Rome went to war with Alexandria, Antony and Cleopatra lost. The Roman commander thought that his beloved had died, and, unable to bear it, threw himself on the sword. And Cleopatra, in order to avoid captivity and shame, ordered a poisonous snake to be brought to her.

Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine

The love story of the great commander and the beautiful Creole

They met when Napoleon was still poor, plain and unknown to anyone, and Josephine already had the status of a widow, often changed lovers, and besides, she was 6 years older than her future husband. But as if an unknown force attracted them to each other. After spending an evening with a beautiful Creole, Bonaparte was fascinated by her for the rest of his life. They became lovers, and then spouses, changing their age on paper.

On their wedding day in March 1796, Bonaparte presented his beloved with a sapphire ring. Inside the ring was an engraving: "This is fate." And soon fate made Josephine the empress, and Bonaparte the emperor. The great commander, confidently captured the whole world, winning one victory after another, and from each campaign he sent tender and passionate letters to his beloved wife, full of revelations and confessions.

But time passed, Napoleon dreamed of heirs, and Josephine could not get pregnant. In addition, rumors about the betrayals of the temperamental Creole, who remained alone for a long time, were confirmed. And then Bonaparte decides to enter into a new marriage with Princess Marie-Louise of Austria in order to preserve the dynasty and prolong her family. Josephine and Napoleon divorced in 1809. Josephine retains the title of empress at the urging of Bonaparte. And also receives the Elysee Palace, Navarre Castle, Malmaison, three million a year, coats of arms, escort, security and all the attributes of a reigning person.

But even after the divorce, the emperor continues to write tender letters to Josephine, full of love and warmth. A new marriage, the appearance of a long-awaited son does not bring happiness to Bonaparte. After the defeat at Waterloo, the emperor goes into exile on the island of St. Helena. Josephine is denied his escort, and a couple of months after Napoleon's abdication of power, she dies. And in 1821, the great commander of all times and peoples Napoleon Bonaparte dies with the name of his beloved Josephine on his lips.

Edith Piaf and Marcel Cerdan

Paris sparrow and Moroccan scorer

This love story began in Paris. Edith Piaf was introduced to the "Moroccan scorer" and Marcel Cerdana was introduced to the "great Edith Piaf". A few days later, Marcel called the singer and asked for a meeting. The next morning they realized that they were in love. Next to the tall and muscular athlete "Paris Sparrow" Edith Piaf (piaf - sparrow from French), only 147 cm tall, looked like a little girl. At night, they often went for a walk around New York. Both loved to ride roller coasters. This extraordinary couple was recognized on the streets, with amazement watching them eat ice cream and squeal on the rides like mere mortals.

The love affair of the French singer and French boxing champion did not go unnoticed. The journalists wanted to stir up a huge scandal, but the boxer was the first to hold a press conference: “Do you want to know if I love Piaf? Yes I love! Yes, she is my mistress, only because I am married. And I can’t get a divorce!” he blurted out. In the morning, not a single newspaper wrote a single line about Edith and Marseille, and by lunchtime Edith Piaf brought a huge basket of flowers from journalists. A card was enclosed in the flowers: "From the gentlemen to the woman who is loved more than anything in the world."

On October 28, 1949, Serdan dropped everything and flew to New York, having received a telegram from his beloved: "I miss you." His plane crashed near the Azores. In the morning, Edith was awakened not by the long-awaited kiss of Marcel, but by terrible news. That evening, Edith Piaf was carried to the stage of the Versailles hall in her arms - she could not walk. Stopping the applause from the audience, she said softly, “You don't have to clap for me today. Today I sing for Marcel Cerdan. For him alone."

Editor's note: All stories are partly based on legend and do not claim to be historically accurate.