In the movie, The Graduate, leading actress Ann Bancroft is only six years older than Dustin Hoffman but the play’s older woman theme raises moral issues. Would Madonna have been as pilloried if her toy boy relationship had been the other way around?

Hecklers cynically claim trophy brides are gold-diggers pursuing men they would otherwise consider unattractive. But many such women are wealthy and famous in their own right and being beautiful they enjoy easy access to younger rivals.

Thirty-nine years separated Hollywood star James Woods and Ashley Madison who met through his friendship with her father.

SOPHIA LOREN

The most enduring love marriage was that of Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti. Described as the most beautiful woman on earth they met when she was sixteen and he was a thirty-seven-year-old married man.

Carlo is no oil painting and Sophia is the more famous of the two. (TOP PICTURE) Her husband said: “I have done everything for the love of Sophia: I have always believed in her.” Yet it was Sophia who had to beg Carlo to marry her.

One of the greatest love stories was that of opera diva Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis. Twenty-two years separated them and both were married to others at the time.

Shipping tycoon Onassis had married Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of the assassinated U.S. President. Weeks later he was hammering at Maria’s door; ‘shouting, whistling for Madame to let him in.’ Shortly after Aristotle died Maria died of a broken heart.

FAME, FORTUNE OR FATE?

Rich men are rarely marriage potential for struggling models. Billy Joel and Katie Lee were 55 and 23 when tying the knot.

Heartthrob Harrison Ford (born 1942) is renowned for his acting ability and chiselled good looks; perhaps a factor in acquiring the lovely Calista Flockhart 22 years his junior.

Enduring age-difference relationships often last longer than conventional marriages.

Despite a 37-years difference between them, Wende and Thomas (Scotty) Doohan remain a lesson in devotion. Tony Bennett and Susan Crowe are inseparable despite their thirty-seven-year age difference.

Paul McCartney was 26 years older than his disabled wife Heather Mills; twenty-five golden years separated Clint Eastwood and his wife Dina. He says: “They say marriages are made in heaven but so are thunder and lightning.”  

BRIDGING THE GAP

Others whose age difference spanned twenty years or more include; Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn. Charlie Chaplin and Oona O’Neill. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Larry Fortensky and Elizabeth Taylor. Celine Dion and Renne Angelil.

It sometimes works the other way. Eye Candy Joan Collins looked much younger than her 77 years; her husband was then a mere forty-five years of age.

Is it that age difference in partnerships is peculiar to the famous; the acting professions being renowned for unconventionality?

Without question women who in their own right are beautiful, well placed and powerful are attracted to similar but older when male bonding. It seems that social circles, common interests, and chemistry are far more important than numbers on certificates. STORIES YOU JUST HAVE TO SHARE.

THE DOVETAILS HOTEL A charming romantic and risqué comedy that dares to discover the taboo pleasures of a ménage a trois relationship. Michael Walsh award-winning novelist amusingly reveals the amorous love lives of Gareth and his two attractive lady friends who are happy to share more than just friendship with the debonair novelist. CLICK LINK TO BOOK  https://feji.us/fkd67l

THE ENIGMA OF TIFFANY Michael Walsh Award-Winning Writer. The elegant and glamorous Tiffany is a rich widow with a shady and shocking past when she meets Gareth, Leonara and Felicity holidaying on the Spanish Riviera. But who is Tiffany and Pegasus her gay partner? A romantic comedy with an ending that has you reaching for your Kleenex.   A reader writes, ‘I thoroughly enjoyed it.’ There is girl talk, excitement, revelations, dilemmas, compromises, romance, and pathos. LINK TO BOOK https://feji.us/i3410s