Ryan O'Neal's romance with Farrah Fawcett - introduced by ex to cheating claims

08 December 2023 , 23:53

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Inside Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett's past relationship (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Ryan O'Neal has died at the age of 82.

Prior to his death, the actor was not only his role in Love Story, but also his real life love story with Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett.

The couple's relationship, however, was anything but a fairytale. They dated for 18 years after reportedly meeting in 1981 after her ex Lee Majors, who was friends with Ryan, suggested they get together when he was out of town. Farrah and Lee divorced the following year in 1982.

Farrah and Ryan went on to be one of Hollywood's 'it' couples, but were never married. They did, however, have a son called Redmond in 1985.

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Inside Ryan O'Neal's relationship with Farrah Fawcett (AP)

Inside Ryan O'Neal's turbulent relationship with Farrah Fawcett (AFP via Getty Images)

According to the Daily Mail, the couple separated after Farrah caught Ryan in bed with another woman in 1997. Ryan reportedly blamed their split on her menopause as well as his attitude. Four years later however the pair tried to reconcile. The renewed relationship came after Ryan had been diagnosed with leukaemia, with Farrah reportedly taking care of him.

In 2006, when Farrah was diagnosed with cancer, Ryan was said to have returned the care and attention, before she sadly died in 2009. While by her bedside in her final weeks, it's said Ryan eventually suggested marriage to her. However, Farrah's friend Alana Stewart claimed Farrah took a turn for the worse and never did exchange vows.

Inside Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett's relationship (AFP via Getty Images)

Ryan was said to be the love of Farrah's life. Close pal Sylvia Dorsey told Mail in 2019: "Ryan was the love of her life. I don't think she was happy without him. They fought and loved with passion. It was never boring. They were electric together."

Farrah died in 2009, three years after being diagnosed with with cancer. Ryan admitted to People after her death that he had some regrets with their tumultuous relationship. Looking back on their time, he said: "I would have been much kinder, more understanding, more mature. I’d lose some of the savagery. I don’t know how she got cancer; maybe some of it was me. There was never a day I didn’t love her.”

Prior to the pair meeting, Ryan was married actress Joanna Moore in 1963, with the pair having two kids; son Griffin, now 59, and daughter Tatum, now 60 . However, their relationship was destined for failure and they called it quits in 1967.

Ryan then went on to marry another actress, Leigh Taylor-Young, and the pair were wed for seven years, having a son called Patrick. Again, his relationship came to an end, with the pair divorcing in 1974.

Jamie Roberts