Rue McClanahan: A Woman of Many Loves - A Look into Her Six Marriages

Love is a journey that takes us through various experiences, and for some, that journey may lead to multiple marriages. Such is the case with the late Rue McClanahan, an iconic American actress best known for her role as Blanche Devereaux in the hit television series "The Golden Girls."

Throughout her life, McClanahan embarked on six different marriages, each leaving an indelible mark on her personal and professional journey. In this article, we delve into the fascinating life of Rue McClanahan, exploring the stories behind her marriages and the profound impact they had on her life.

Married Life Of Rue & Tom Bish: Divorce & Kids

Rue McClanahan was married to a jazz musician named Tom Bish in 1959. They were blessed with a son named Mark but sadly divorced in 1965. 

In an interview with People magazine, McClanahan shared that their marriage came to an end due to her youthful innocence and lack of understanding about the true meaning and responsibilities of a lifelong commitment.

Divorced Peter DeMaio

McClanahan tied the knot for the second time with Peter DeMaio, a businessman, in 1966. They were blessed with a lovely daughter named Erin. Sadly, their union came to an end in 1972. 

In an interview with People magazine, McClanahan disclosed that the marriage dissolved due to her strong dedication to her career, as she was not prepared to prioritize settling into a more traditional lifestyle.

Divorced Gus Fisher

The late American actress McClanahan tied the knot for the third time with Gus Fisher, a real estate developer, in 1973. Their union brought forth a precious son named Matthew, but unfortunately, their marriage ended in 1976. 

McClanahan, in an interview with People magazine, candidly revealed that their separation occurred due to her strong sense of independence. She expressed that at that time, she was not quite prepared to fully devote herself to a long-lasting partnership.

Married Life Of Rue McClanahan With  John Strauss

Betty White McClanahan entered into her fourth marriage with John Strauss, a TV producer, in 1977. During their time together, they were blessed with a daughter named Molly. Unfortunately, their marriage concluded in 1984 due to conflicting priorities. 

In an interview with People magazine, McClanahan candidly admitted that her intense dedication to her career hindered her ability to fully commit to a lifelong partnership. The desire to pursue her professional aspirations took precedence, leading to the dissolution of their marital bond.

About McClanahan's Fifth Marriage 

McClanahan's fifth marriage took place in 1986 when she tied the knot with Tom Keel, a businessman. Unfortunately, their union ended in 1989 without any children. 

McClanahan shared in an interview with People magazine that the marriage came to a close because she valued her independence and was not prepared to make a lifelong commitment at that time. She recognized that her personal desires and readiness for commitment were the key factors that led to the divorce.

Divorced Morrow Wilson

McClanahan's last marriage was with Morrow Wilson, a businessman, in 1997. However, their relationship ended in 1999, and they did not have any children together. 

In the same interview with People magazine, McClanahan mentioned that the reason for their divorce was her strong sense of independence and her hesitation to commit to a lifelong partnership. She felt that she wasn't fully prepared for such a long-term commitment at that time.

Impact of McClanahan Marriages

Though McClanahan was married six times, she was never able to find the lasting love she was looking for. In the same People magazine interview, she said that she had learned a lot from her marriage and that she was grateful for the experience. She also said that she had grown to be more independent and self-reliant and that she was now content with her life.

Rue was a woman of many loves, and though she was never able to find the lasting love she was looking for, she was still able to learn and grow from her experiences. She was an inspiration to many, and her legacy will live on forever.

What Was The Reason Behind Rue's Death?

Rue McClanahan passed away on June 3, 2010, at the age of 76. The cause of her death was a cerebral hemorrhage, which is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds.

After McClanahan's death, her manager revealed that she had suffered from a minor stroke earlier that year in January. It is believed that the cerebral hemorrhage was a complication resulting from the earlier stroke. 

While the specific details surrounding McClanahan's health leading up to her death are not widely available, it is known that she had experienced some health issues in the years prior, including bypass surgery in 2009.

Career Journey

Rue caught the attention of TV executive Norman Lear, and he cast McClanahan in many TV shows. She was cast in a guest appearance on the popular sitcom ‘All in the Family.' Her impressive performance in it made Norman Lear cast her in the lead role of Vivian Harmon on the show's spin-off ‘Maude.' McClanahan's portrayal of Vivian, best friend of the title character Maude played by Bea Arthur received tremendous accolades and became very popular among the Americans.

McClanahan's big break on the TV screen came in the form of her most acclaimed role as the self-absorbed, liberated sensual Southern belle Blanche Devereaux on the TV sitcom ‘The Golden Girls (1985-1992). She received an Emmy Award in 1987 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of the so-called man-crazed, saucy, bombshell character.

Over the next decade, Rue performed in a series of special appearances on television sitcoms and dramas. Notable among these are ‘Boy Meets World' and ‘Law & Order.' In the 2005-2006 season, she also performed on Broadway including portraying the character of Madame Morrible in the musical hit ‘Wicked' replacing Carole Shelley.

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