Laurence Olivier first met Vivien after her performance in "The Mask of Virtue" when he congratulated her praising her acting skills. They became close friends and shortly afterwards they were chosen to play main roles in a British movie "Fire Over England" in 1937. The couple soon started a tremendous off-set affair although they were both married at the time. Laurence’s wife was a fellow actress Jill Esmond with whom he had a son Tarquin (born in 1936). Upon finding out about the affair, their spouses refused to give them divorce and the two lovers moved in together, but their relationship was still very much criticized and disapproved in the public’s eyes. On the night of the Academy Awards in 1940 (Figure 4), Vivien and Laurence, who were both nominated for their roles in "Gone With the Wind" and "Wuthering Heights" respectively, first came out publicly as a couple and then they received the news that their divorces had been granted, but neither of them had custody of their children. Finally free to enjoy in their love, Vivien and Laurence got married on August 31th 1940 in Santa Barbara, just a few minutes after midnight. They had only two witnesses present: American writer and director and a friend of Olivier, Garson Kanin, and a famous actresses Katherine Hepburn who became a close friend of the couple.
Later years of marriage and divorce
After getting married, Vivien and Laurence starred in two more films together: "21 Days Together" (1940) and "That Hamilton Woman" (1941) which is said to be one of the most favorite movies of Winston Churchill. In 1944. the couple moved to Notley Abbey, because their previous home, Durham Cottage, was practically in ruins from a bomb raid. It remained their estate until their separation in 1960. In 1944. Vivien was diagnosed with tuberculosis in her left lung and she spent a few weeks in hospital before appearing to have recovered. Laurence was knighted in 1947. and Vivien accompanied him to Buckingham Palace for the investiture. Upon her husband receiving the title, she became Lady Olivier. Vivien herself was twice considered for the title of "Dame", in 1952. and in 1954. but was rejected both times much to her disappointment. Meanwhile Leigh’s mental condition become progressively worse. She attempted suicide on more than one occasion, and it took a great toll on her marriage. In 1953. while rehearsing for a film "Elephant Walk", she had a huge breakdown and was later replaced with Elizabeth Taylor. Upon arriving home in England she was hospitalized. Laurence rushed by her side and was rather shocked to find out that she had cheated on him with an actor Peter Finch. Although devastated, Laurence stayed with Vivien and took a great care of her, but the situation was far from good. Her attacks were more and more often and, on one occasion, in order to defend himself from her, he accidentally pushed her aside, and she fell hitting her head on the fire dog. At that moment he knew it was over (Figure 5). In 1958. they had separated and she began to date a fellow actor Jack Merivale, who knew about her disorder and had promised Laurence to take care of her. In 1960. the couple got divorced and shortly after Laurence got married with an actress Joan Plowright with whom he had three children. Although her boyfriend and her first husband were there to support her, she was still pretty much devastated because having separated from the "love of her life".
After getting married, Vivien and Laurence starred in two more films together: "21 Days Together" (1940) and "That Hamilton Woman" (1941) which is said to be one of the most favorite movies of Winston Churchill. In 1944. the couple moved to Notley Abbey, because their previous home, Durham Cottage, was practically in ruins from a bomb raid. It remained their estate until their separation in 1960. In 1944. Vivien was diagnosed with tuberculosis in her left lung and she spent a few weeks in hospital before appearing to have recovered. Laurence was knighted in 1947. and Vivien accompanied him to Buckingham Palace for the investiture. Upon her husband receiving the title, she became Lady Olivier. Vivien herself was twice considered for the title of "Dame", in 1952. and in 1954. but was rejected both times much to her disappointment. Meanwhile Leigh’s mental condition become progressively worse. She attempted suicide on more than one occasion, and it took a great toll on her marriage. In 1953. while rehearsing for a film "Elephant Walk", she had a huge breakdown and was later replaced with Elizabeth Taylor. Upon arriving home in England she was hospitalized. Laurence rushed by her side and was rather shocked to find out that she had cheated on him with an actor Peter Finch. Although devastated, Laurence stayed with Vivien and took a great care of her, but the situation was far from good. Her attacks were more and more often and, on one occasion, in order to defend himself from her, he accidentally pushed her aside, and she fell hitting her head on the fire dog. At that moment he knew it was over (Figure 5). In 1958. they had separated and she began to date a fellow actor Jack Merivale, who knew about her disorder and had promised Laurence to take care of her. In 1960. the couple got divorced and shortly after Laurence got married with an actress Joan Plowright with whom he had three children. Although her boyfriend and her first husband were there to support her, she was still pretty much devastated because having separated from the "love of her life".