Back in 1961, the young and radiant Natalie Wood seemed to have it all.
At just 22 years old, she was happily married to the dashing Hollywood actor, Robert Wagner, and was on the brink of stardom with the upcoming releases of her films West Side Story and Splendour In The Grass alongside Warren Beatty.
Despite the appearance of a picture-perfect life, their marriage took a devastating hit that would prove to be a turning point for the couple.
In a new biography by Suzanne Finstad, it is revealed that Wood’s world came crashing down when she allegedly stumbled upon a distressing scene involving her husband and their live-in butler at their Beverly Hills residence.
The narrative unfolds as Wood awoke one night to find Wagner absent from their bed.
Concerned, she went in search of him and was met with a heart-wrenching sight – her husband entwined with David Cavendish, their English butler who resided with them.
Reports from close associates of Wood, including friends, a family acquaintance, and her sister Lana, all corroborate the harrowing discovery.
They recount how Wood, in a state of shock, reacted by breaking a glass and fleeing to a neighbor’s house in distress, clad in her nightgown and bleeding.
The emotional turmoil didn’t end there.
Lana vividly remembers her sister’s distraught state upon returning home, where Wood, in tears and still bleeding, declared the end of her marriage after witnessing the betrayal.
Retreating into seclusion, Wood’s anguish manifested in a physical toll as she shed weight and grappled with the aftermath of the traumatic event, as detailed in Finstad’s book.
Following their separation in June 1961 and subsequent divorce a year later, speculations surrounding the breakup hinted at Wood bearing the brunt of the blame to shield Wagner from damaging rumors about his sexuality, which could have jeopardized his career in the entertainment industry during that era.
Despite parting ways and briefly marrying film producer Richard Gregson before their divorce in 1972, Wood and Wagner’s story did not conclude there.
The former flames reconciled later in 1972, tying the knot once more soon after Wood’s divorce from Gregson.
Their reunion was sealed with the birth of their daughter, Courtney Wagner, in March 1974.
Tragically, Wood’s life was cut short at the age of 43 during a fateful boat excursion off the California coast with Wagner and their friend, Christopher Walken.
Her untimely demise has remained clouded in uncertainty, with lingering suspicions suggesting Wagner’s involvement, though he vehemently denies any connection to her drowning.
Despite the shadows cast over Wood’s final moments, her legacy endures as a tale of love, heartbreak, and the complexities of relationships in the tumultuous world of Hollywood.
