Doris Day, a name synonymous with the bright, bubbly persona of 1950s and 1960s Hollywood, had a personal life that was far more complex than the carefree characters she often played on screen. A celebrated singer and actress, Doris also walked down the aisle four times, each marriage painting a distinct picture of her life’s episodic turns. From her teenage years to the height of her stardom, Day’s relationships reflected not only the societal norms of the times but also the personal challenges and growth she experienced. While her silver screen performances ended with happily-ever-afters, her real-life romances were more nuanced, filled with both tender moments and trials. Here’s a closer look at each of Doris Day’s spouses, the marriages that ranged from tempestuous to tranquil, and how these relationships shaped the life of one of Hollywood’s most beloved icons.
#1 Early Years and First Marriage to Al Jorden
Doris Day, the girl-next-door with a golden voice, stepped into her first marriage long before the world knew her name. She was just 17 when she met Al Jorden, a trombonist with whom she worked in Barney Rapp's Band. The two married in 1941, but their union was far from the idyllic romances Doris later portrayed on the silver screen. Jorden was reported to be possessive and often abusive, and their marriage was marked by turmoil from the start. Doris's music was a solace and a means to assert her independence during this time. Sadly, this chapter of her life ended as troubled as it began, with the couple divorcing in 1943.
#2 Second Marriage to George Weidler
Doris Day’s second stroll down the aisle was with George Weidler, a saxophonist, in 1946. Weidler was the brother of actress Virginia Weidler and appeared to be a more stable choice compared to her first husband. This marriage whisked her away from the limelight, as they moved to a trailer park in Los Angeles, where Doris embraced a simpler life. However, the calm was short-lived. Her growing fame in the music industry and George’s discomfort with living in the shadow of Doris’s spotlight put a strain on their marriage. The union lasted less than two years, ending in 1949, with Doris’s career beginning to truly flourish.
#3 Third Husband: Martin Melcher
Doris Day found love again with Martin Melcher, whom she married in 1951. This marriage seemed to bring a sense of stability and even partnership, as Melcher took an active role in managing Doris’s burgeoning film career. Unfortunately, this relationship also had its dark side. Melcher was known for making decisions about Doris's career without her input, and after his death in 1968, Doris discovered that he had squandered her earnings, leaving her in financial disarray. The marriage was also marked by the adoption of her only child, Terry, from her first marriage, whom Melcher adopted as his own. While the marriage lasted 17 years, it ended with a shocking betrayal, highlighting the challenges Doris faced in her personal life despite her public image of radiant positivity.
#4 Fourth Marriage to Barry Comden
In her fourth marriage, Doris Day seemed to find a semblance of normalcy with Barry Comden in 1976. Comden was a maître d' and seemed less interested in the Hollywood scene, a contrast to Doris’s previous husbands. He understood her love for animals and even worked with her on pet-friendly projects. Despite this common ground, their marriage lasted only about five years, ending in 1981. Some reports suggest that Comden felt overshadowed by Doris’s fame and was uncomfortable with her devotion to her animal welfare work. This marriage was her last, and after her divorce from Comden, Doris dedicated her life more fully to animal rights advocacy, finding companionship in her causes rather than romantic partnerships.
