‘The Golden Girls’: Secrets From Rue McClanahan’s 6 Marriages

Rue McClanahan’s Many Marriages: Heartbreak, Fear, and Lasting Love

Rue McClanahan, best known as the charming and vivacious Blanche Deveraux on The Golden Girls, was married six times throughout her life. In fact, People once humorously noted, “The problem is limiting her weakness for strays to the animal kingdom.” But behind the humor, McClanahan’s love life was a mix of romance, regret, and resilience.

The Early Marriages: Disillusionment and Fear

Her first marriage to actor Tom Bish lasted only 17 months but resulted in her only child, Mark Bish. McClanahan later described this divorce as “the worst thing that had ever happened to [her],” leaving her deeply disillusioned. Seeking to fill that void, she quickly remarried a former college friend, though they separated almost immediately.

Her third marriage was the most troubling—she admitted she was “afraid” of her husband, who had a violent temper. A counselor even advised her to leave, but it wasn’t until she saw the impact on her son that she made the decision to walk away.

The Costly Mistakes: Financial and Emotional Wounds

McClanahan’s fourth marriage ended bitterly, with failed investments and lingering resentment. Her fifth marriage, to an old high school boyfriend, turned out to be an expensive misstep. She refused to sign a prenuptial agreement, and when they divorced in 1986—right as she was rising to fame on The Golden Girls—her ex walked away with a hefty financial settlement.

Her Longest Love: A Marriage That Endured

After five unsuccessful marriages, McClanahan finally found lasting companionship with actor Morrow Wilson. They married in 1997 and remained together for 12 years until their legal separation, though they never officially divorced. When she passed away in 2010, Wilson told Inside Edition, “I’ve never loved anyone the way I loved Rue.”

Rue McClanahan’s love life was complex, filled with lessons in love, trust, and self-worth. Though her romantic journey was tumultuous, she ultimately found the kind of love that lasted beyond her final days.