Thaindian News

By Robin Bansal
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Once is apparently not enough for these talented, beautiful and famous celebs, who repeatedly affirm their belief in the institution of marriage. So much so, that like Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor - who is to don the wedding gown for the ninth time - they just love to say ‘I do’ - again and again!

Elizabethn Taylor, 78, secretly became engaged to her long-time companion, Jason Winters, 49, an entertainment manager who recently took on Janet Jackson as a client.

Married eight times - twice to Welsh actor Richard Burton, her last marriage to construction worker Larry Fortensky ended after five years in 1996. Her shortest marriage was for eight months and the longest for 10 years.

In 2007 she gushed about Winters to gossip columnist Liz Smith, describing him as “one of the most wonderful men I’ve ever known, that’s why I love him”.

Close on the heels of Taylor are Hungarian-American actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, Mickey Rooney and late actress Lana Turner, who too have been married eight times each.

However, the most striking one was Gabor’s marriage to Mexican actor Felipe De Alba for just 24 hours in 1982. The wedding, however, was declared invalid, since the actress’s prior marriage to Michael O’Hara had not been properly dissolved. The Gabor-de Alba union was annulled.

Zsa Zsa is currently married to socialite Frederic Prinz von Anhalt. Infamous for her multiple nuptial stints, she was once famously also quoted as saying: “I am a marvellous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house.”

Rooney has to his credit a shortest marriage for 100 days and the longest for over 22 years. Turner was married twice to Stephen Crane.

Noted producer Robert Evans who financed movies like “Love Story” and “The Godfather” is also known for his seven marriages. So was late actress-singer Martha Raye. Her shortest marriage was less than a year and the longest lasted 11 years.

Late actors Stan Laurel, Rex Harrison and Fred “Rerun” Berry were married six times. Tony Curtis and actress Arlene Dahl too have walked down the aisle six times each.

Not lagging behind in the multiple marriage act have been late actresses Judy Garland and Jean Harlow, married five times and thrice respectively.

Billy Bob Thornton moved from one marriage to another with alarming regularity. He divorced four of his five wives within two years, including actress Angelina Jolie.

Hollywood star Nicolas Cage too married thrice. While former Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson exchanged the vows thrice — with Tommy Lee, Kid Rock and Rick Salomon in succession.

Pop star-turned-actress Jennifer Lopez also trudged the multiple spouse path by marrying thrice - Ojani Noa, Cris Judd and current husband Marc Anthony.

Popular American TV and radio host Larry King has to his credit seven marriages. His shortest marriage was less than one year and the longest was seven years. Two marriages were to the same former Playboy bunny. He has also had two broken engagements.