Oona O’Neill garnered widespread media attention in 1942 after being named “The Number One Debutante” of the Stork Club’s 1942–1943 season. She decided to pursue an acting career and, after appearing in minor roles in two stage productions, she made her way to Hollywood.
O’Neill was introduced to Charlie Chaplin in Hollywood, who considered her for a film role. O’Neill and Chaplin
developed a romantic relationship and married in June 1943, less than a month after turning 18.
The 36-year age difference between them sparked outrage and ended O’Neill’s relationship with her father. He was just six months older than Chaplin and had already expressed strong opposition to her desire to become an actress.
O’Neill abandoned her career ambitions after the marriage. She had eight children with Chaplin and remained married to him until he died in 1977.
She divided her time between Switzerland and New York following Chaplin’s death. She died of pancreatic cancer in Corsier-sur-Vevey in 1991 at the age of 66. Geraldine Chaplin, Oona’s daughter, named her daughter after her in 1986.
Take a look at these old photographs to see Charlie Chaplin and his last wife, Oona O’Neill, at their most stunning.
