What happened to Shirley MacLaine’s husband? Inside Hollywood icon’s relationships as she’s spotted in rare outing at 91

Shirley MacLaine had an infamous open marriage with her husband (Image Via Instagram/@weloveshirleymaclaine)
Shirley MacLaine had an infamous open marriage with her husband (Image Via Instagram/@weloveshirleymaclaine)

According to a recent article by People, legendary Oscar-winning actress Shirley MacLaine was recently spotted enjoying a serene lunch in Malibu.

MacLaine was spotted in a rare public outing at an outdoor cafe with friends in Malibu. Shirley MacLaine is famous for being in an open marriage with her husband, Steve Parker. The two got married in 1954 and were divorced in 1982. He died in 2001. In her book, I'm Over All That, MacLaine has mentioned her relationships with prominent men in Hollywood as well as politics.

The legendary actress wore loose-fitting black leggings and a matching royal blue top with a dark navy sweatshirt to keep things relaxed. Wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat and big brown gradient shades, she looked stylish and brought a touch of Old Hollywood flair to her casual suit.

While conversing with friends at Kristy's Village Cafe, her short hair framed her face. As she sipped a vibrant orange cocktail in a stemless martini glass with what appeared to be a chile salt rim, the 91-year-old Oscar winner seemed to be in high spirits.

Shirley MacLaine enjoyed the joyful Thanksgiving mood while sitting at a woven outdoor table with friends, occasionally grinning and striking up a discussion.


About Shirley MacLaine's relationships

Popular for her open marriage with husband Steve Parker, Shirley MacLaine has mentioned her relationships with other men in her book I'm Over All That. In her book, MacLaine has written about her relationships with Robert Mitchum, Danny Kaye, Olaf Palme, Vassy, Yves Montand, Andrew Peacock, and Pierre Trudeau.

In her book, MacLaine remembers that Robert was a lesson. He would make self-deprecating remarks about his look, but he would undoubtedly walk away with the Mitchum strut and stride—the body language that says, "Don't mess with me, I'm a tough guy who rode the rails with the hobos."

He had a well-honed lower register in his voice, which he shouted as a throwaway over his shoulder. He certainly thought of himself as a man's guy, but had a different impression.

MacLaine mentions that Danny was fond of food and often cooked for himself.

"Danny would often fly me to dinner at a good steak house regardless of where I was shooting or where the restaurant was. He also completely remodeled my kitchen, much to the chagrin of the couple who worked for me. I still cook some of the meals he taught me and think sweet thoughts of him," Shirley wrote in her book.

Shirley said that her relationship with a Soviet director named Vassy was loving yet complicated. He came from a wealthy Russian family and yearned to work in the West. As his unofficial sponsor, I found him to be thrilling, endearing, incredibly challenging, extremely devout, incredibly chauvinistic, and a strong believer in evil.

"When I met Olof Palme (the prime minister of Sweden), he was emotional catnip for me because he was such a liberal, brilliant, yet emotionally repressed Swede. I loved his courage on behalf of all his liberal beliefs. I met him at a U.N. anti-Vietnam War meeting in New York. He spoke so succinctly about the need to abolish war. He even spoke passionately about democratic socialism." Shirley wrote about Olaf.

Shirley's other book, Sage-Ing While Ageing, is partly a memoir that also delves into the life of the actress.

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Edited by Sroban Ghosh