The most famous love stories of all times. Ten most famous tragic love stories

Incredible facts

Do you believe in true love? What about love at first sight? Do you believe that love can last forever? Perhaps the love stories below will help you strengthen your faith in this feeling or renew your faith in it. These are the most famous stories love, they are immortal.

1. Romeo and Juliet

These are probably the most famous lovers in the whole world. This couple has become synonymous with love itself. "Romeo and Juliet" is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The story of two teenagers from two warring families who fall in love at first sight, then get married, and later risk everything for their love. Willingness to give your life for your husband or wife is a sign of real feeling. Their premature departure brought the feuding families together.

2. Cleopatra and Mark Antony

The true love story of Mark Antony and Cleopatra is one of the most memorable and intriguing. The story of these two historical characters was subsequently recreated on the pages of William Shakespeare's work, and filmed by famous directors more than once. The relationship between Mark Antony and Cleopatra is a true test of love. They fell in love at first sight.

The relationship between these two powerful men put Egypt in a very advantageous position. But their romance extremely outraged the Romans, who feared that as a result of it the influence of the Egyptians would significantly increase. Despite all the threats, Mark Antony and Cleopatra got married. It is said that while in battle against the Romans, Mark received false news of Cleopatra's death. Feeling empty, he committed suicide. When Cleopatra learned of Antony's death, she was shocked and then also committed suicide. Great love requires great sacrifices.

3. Lancelot and Guinevere

The tragic love story of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere is probably one of the most famous of the Arthurian legends. Lancelot falls in love with Queen Guinevere, wife of King Arthur. Their love grew very slowly, since Guinevere did not let Lancelot close to her. In the end, however, passion and love overcame her, and they became lovers. One night, Sir Agravain and Sir Modred, King Arthur's nephew, who led a group of 12 knights, burst into the queen's room, where they found the lovers. Taken by surprise, they tried to escape, however, only Lancelot succeeded. The queen was captured and sentenced to death for adultery. However, a few days later Lancelot returned to save his beloved. This whole sad story divided the Knights of the Round Table into two groups, thereby weakening Arthur's kingdom significantly. As a result, poor Lancelot ended his days as a humble hermit, and Guinevere became a nun, and remained so for the rest of her life.

4. Tristan and Isolde

The tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde has been retold and rewritten numerous times. The action took place in the Middle Ages during the reign of King Arthur. Isolde was the daughter of the King of Ireland, and had just become engaged to King Mark of Cornwall. King Mark sent his nephew Tristan to Ireland to escort his bride Isolde to Cornwall. During the journey, Tristan and Isolde fall in love with each other. Isolde still marries Mark, but the love affair continues after her marriage. When Mark finally learned of the betrayal, he forgave Isolde, but exiled Tristan from Cornwall forever.

Tristan went to Brittany. There he met Isolde of Brittany. He was drawn to her because she looked like his true love. He married her, but the marriage did not turn out to be genuine because of his true love to another woman. After he fell ill, he sent for his beloved in the hope that she would come and be able to cure him. There was an agreement with the captain of the ship he sent that if she agreed to come, then the sails of the ship upon return would be white, if not, then black. Tristan's wife, seeing the white sails, told him that the sails were black. He died of grief before his love could reach him, and soon after Isolde also died of a broken heart.

5. Paris and Helen

Told in Homer's Iliad, the story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan War is a Greek heroic legend that is half fiction. Helen of Troy is considered one of the most beautiful women in all literature. She married Menelaus, king of Sparta. Paris, the son of King Priam of Troy, fell in love with Helen and kidnapped her, taking her to Troy. The Greeks gathered a huge army led by Menelaus' brother, Agamemnon, to bring Helen back. Troy was destroyed, Helen returned safely to Sparta, where she lived happily with Menelaus throughout her life.

6. Orpheus and Eurydice

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is an ancient Greek myth about desperate love. Orpheus fell very much in love and married Eurydice, a beautiful nymph. They loved each other very much and were happy. Aristeas, greek god land and Agriculture, became interested in Eurydice and actively pursued her. Fleeing from Aristeas, Eurydice fell into a nest of snakes, one of which fatally bit her on the leg. The distraught Orpheus played such sad music and sang so sadly that all the nymphs and gods cried. On their advice, he went to the underworld, and his music softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone (he was the only person, who dared to take such a step), who agreed to the return of Eurydice to the earth, but on one condition: upon reaching the earth, Orpheus should not look back and look at her. Being extremely alarmed, the lover did not fulfill the conditions, turned around to look at Eurydice, and she disappeared a second time, now forever.

7. Napoleon and Josephine

Having married her for convenience at the age of 26, Napoleon clearly knew who he was taking as his wife. Josephine was older than him, a rich and prominent woman. However, over time, he fell deeply in love with her, and she with him, however, this did not stop both of them from cheating. But mutual respect kept them together, the passion that burned everything in its path did not fade away and was genuine. However, in the end they parted because Josephine could not give him what he wanted so much - an heir. Unfortunately, their paths diverged, however, throughout their lives they kept love and passion for each other in their hearts.

8. Odysseus and Penelope

Few couples understand the essence of sacrifice in a relationship, however, this Greek couple understood it best. After they were separated, 20 long years passed before their reunion. Shortly after marrying Penelope, war required that Odysseus leave his new wife. Although she had little hope of his return, Penelope still resisted the 108 suitors who sought to replace her husband. Odysseus also loved his wife very much and refused the sorceress who offered him eternal love and eternal youth. Thus, he was able to return home to his wife and son. So believe Homer when he said that true love is worth the wait.

9. Paolo and Francesca

Paolo and Francesca are the heroes of Dante's famous masterpiece "The Divine Comedy". This true story: Francesca was married to terrible person Gianciotto Malatesta. However, his brother, Paolo, was the complete opposite, Francesca fell in love with him and they became lovers. The love between them became even stronger when (according to Dante) they read the story of Lancelot and Guinevere together. When their affair was discovered, Francesca's husband killed them both.

10. Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler

"Gone with the Wind" is one of the immortal literary works. Margaret Mitchell's famous creation is permeated with love and hate in the relationship between Scarlett and Rhett Butler. Proving that timing is everything, Scarlett and Rhett never seemed to stop "fighting" each other. Throughout this epic story, this violent fickle passion and their stormy marriage took place against the backdrop of events civil war. Flirty, fickle and constantly pursued by fans, Scarlett cannot decide among the numerous contenders for her attention. When she finally decides to settle on Rhett, her fickle nature pushes him away from her. Hope finally dies when their romance is never rekindled, and Scarlett says at the end: “Tomorrow is a new day.”

11. Jane Eyre and Rochester

In Charlotte Brontë's famous novel, loneliness is cured by being alone and having each other's company. Jane is an orphan who takes a job as a governess in the house of the very rich Edward Rochester. The couple quickly became close, as Rochester had a rough appearance turned out to be a tender heart. However, he does not reveal his penchant for polygamy, and on their wedding day Jane discovers that he is already married. Heartbroken, Jane flees, but then returns after a fire destroys Rochester's home, killing his wife and leaving him blind. Love triumphs, lovers are reunited and live out their days in each other's company.

12. Leili and Majnun

Renowned classic of Persian poetry and one of the most famous poets of the medieval East, who complemented Persian epic poetry colloquial speech and realistic style, Nizami of Ganja became famous after he wrote his romantic poem “Leyli and Majnun”. Inspired by an Arabian legend, Layla and Majnun is a tragic tale of unattainable love. For many centuries it was told and retold, and the main characters were depicted on ceramics and written about in manuscripts. Leili and Kays fell in love while studying at school. Having noticed their love, they were forbidden to communicate and see each other. Qais then decides to go into the desert to live among animals. He often goes undernourished and becomes very emaciated. Due to his eccentric behavior, he becomes known as Majnun (madman). In the desert, he meets an elderly Bedouin who promises him to win back his Leili.

The plan fails to be implemented, and Leili's father continues to refuse to let the lovers be together because of Majnun's insane behavior. Soon he marries her to someone else. After the death of Leili's husband, the old Bedouin facilitates her meeting with Majnun, however, they were never able to completely get on the same page and understand each other. After death they were buried next to each other. The story is often interpreted as an allegory of the soul's desire to connect with the divine.

13. Heloise and Abelard

This is the story of a monk and a nun whose love letters become world famous. Around 1100, Pierre Abelard went to Paris to study at Notre Dame School. There he gained a reputation as an outstanding philosopher. Fulbert, high-ranking official, hired Abelard as a tutor for his niece Heloise. Abelard and Heloise fell in love, conceived a child, and married secretly. However, Fulbert was furious, so Abelard hid Heloise in a safe place in the monastery. Believing that Abelard had decided to abandon Heloise, Fulbert had him castrated while he slept. Heartbroken, Eloise became a nun. Despite all the troubles and adversities, the couple continued to love each other. Their emotional love letters were published.

14. Pyramus and Thisbe

A very touching love story that will not leave anyone indifferent who reads it. Their love was selfless, and they were sure that even in death they would be together. Pyramus was very handsome man and from childhood he was friends with Thisbe, a beautiful maiden from Babylonia. They lived in neighboring houses and fell in love with each other as they grew older. However, their parents were strongly against their marriage. One night, just before dawn, while everyone was sleeping, they decided to sneak out of the house and meet in a nearby field near a mulberry tree. Thisbe came first. While she was waiting under the tree, she saw a lion approaching the spring located near the tree to quench his thirst, his jaw covered in blood.

Seeing this terrifying sight, Thisbe rushed to run to hide in the depths of the forest from the lion, but on the way she dropped her scarf. The lion followed her and came across a handkerchief, which he decided to taste. At this time, Pyramus approached the place, and seeing a lion with bloody jaws and with the scarf of his beloved, he lost the meaning of life. At that moment he stabs himself with his own sword. Unaware of what had just happened, Thisbe continued to hide. After some time, she came out of hiding and discovered what Pyramus had done to himself. Realizing that she has nothing to live for, she takes her lover’s sword and also kills herself.

15. Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy

In fact, Jane Austen embodied two attributes of human nature - pride and prejudice - in her heroes Darcy and Elizabeth. Darcy belongs to high society, he is a typical educated representative of the aristocracy. On the other hand, Elizabeth is the second daughter of a gentleman of very limited means. Mr. Bennett is the father of five daughters who received the right to grow up the way they want, who did not receive school education and were not raised by a governess.

Elizabeth's very indulgent mother and irresponsible father never thought about the future of their daughters, believing that it was self-evident that they would be fine. “Everything is fine” in the understanding of the girls’ mother meant marrying a rich and prosperous man. For a person like that social status which Mr. Darcy possessed, the shortcomings of Elizabeth's family were very serious, and absolutely unacceptable to his polished and refined mind. He falls in love with Elizabeth, but she turns him down, but later she realizes that she cannot love anyone but Darcy. The story of their unification and the birth of love is very interesting.

16. Salim and Anarkali

Every lover knows the story of Salim and Anarkali. The son of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar, Salim, fell in love with an ordinary but very beautiful courtesan Anarkali. He was captivated by her beauty, so it was love at first sight. However, the emperor could not come to terms with the fact that his son fell in love with a courtesan. He began to put pressure on Anarkali, using all sorts of tactics to make her fall in the eyes of the loving prince. When Salim found out about this, he declared war on his father. But he failed to defeat his father's gigantic army; Salim was defeated, captured and sentenced to death. At this moment, Anarkali intervenes and gives up her love in order to save her beloved from the clutches of death. She was buried alive in a brick wall in front of Salim.

17. Pocahontas and John Smith

This love story is a famous legend in American history. Pocahontas, an Indian princess, was the daughter of Powhatan, who was the leader of the Powhatan Indian tribe, who lived in what is now the state of Virginia. The princess first saw Europeans in May 1607. Among everyone, she paid attention to John Smith, she liked him. However, Smith was captured by members of her tribe and tortured. It was Pocahontas who saved him from being torn to pieces by the Indians; later the tribe accepted him as one of their own. This incident helped Smith and Pocahontas become friends. After this incident, the princess often visited Jamestown, conveying messages from her father.

John Smith, seriously injured after an accidental gunpowder explosion, returned to England. After another visit, she was told that Smith was dead. Some time later, Pocahontas was captured by Sir Samuel Argall, who hoped to use her as a link between him and her father so that the latter would free the English prisoners. During her captivity, she decides to become a Christian and, taking the name Rebecca, is baptized. A year later she married John Rolfe. Traveling to London via certain time, she and her husband met his old friend John Smith, after 8 long years. This was their last meeting.

18. Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal

In 1612, teenage girl Arjumand Banu married 15-year-old Shah Jahan, ruler of the Mughal Empire. Then she changed her name to Mumtaz Mahal, bore Shah Jahan 14 children and became his beloved wife. After Mumtaz died in 1629, the grieving emperor decided to create a worthy monument in her honor. It took 20,000 workers, 1,000 elephants and almost 20 years of work to complete the construction of this monument - the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan never completed the construction of a black marble mausoleum for himself. Overthrown by his own son, he was imprisoned in the Red Fort in Agra, where he spent lonely hours looking across the Yamuna River at the monument of his beloved. He was subsequently buried next to her at the Taj Mahal.

19. Marie and Pierre Curie

This is a story about partnership in love and science. Unable to continue her studies in Poland because the universities did not accept women, Marie Skłodowska-Curie came to Paris in 1891 to enroll at the Sorbonne. Marie, as the French began to call her, spent every free minute in the library or laboratory. The hardworking student one day caught the eye of Pierre Curie, the director of one of the laboratories in which Maria worked. Pierre actively courted Maria and proposed to her several times to marry him. Finally, in 1895, they got married and began working together. In 1898, the couple discovered polonium and radium.

Curie and the scientist Henri Becquerel received Nobel Prize in 1903 for the discovery of radioactivity. When Pierre died in 1904, Marie promised herself to continue their work. She took his place at the Sorbonne, becoming the school's first female teacher. In 1911, she became the first person to win a second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry. She continued to experiment and teach until her death from leukemia in 1934, driven by the memory of the man she loved.

20. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

This is the love story of an English queen who mourned her dead husband for 40 years. Victoria was a lively, cheerful girl who was interested in drawing and painting. She ascended to the English throne in 1837 after the death of her uncle King William IV. In 1840 she married her cousin Prince Albert. Although Prince Albert was initially disliked in some circles for being German, he later came to be admired for his honesty, hard work and devotion to his family. The couple had 9 children, Victoria loved her husband very deeply. She often used his advice in state affairs, especially regarding diplomatic negotiations.

When Albert died in 1861, Victoria was devastated. She did not appear in public for three years. Her prolonged seclusion drew public criticism. There were several attempts on the queen's life. However, under the influence of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Victoria returned to public life, opening the session of Parliament in 1866. However, she never stopped mourning her beloved husband, wearing black robes until her death in 1901. During her reign, which was the longest in English history, Britain has become a world power on which “the sun never sets.”

1. Cleopatra and Mark Antony

This is, without a doubt, the most famous love story, repeatedly portrayed in plays and films. Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, was a very charismatic woman with a charming voice (contemporaries say nothing about her beauty). She constantly fought for the right to be considered the ruler of her country with her own relatives, and in order to finally establish herself as the queen of Egypt, she was forced to look for a patron, and found him in the person of 52-year-old Gaius Julius Caesar. 21-year-old Cleopatra was able to conquer the great conqueror and became Caesar's mistress. He was already married, but this did not stop him from taking Cleopatra with him to Rome, along with their common son Caesarion. The Romans were quite worried about the fact that Caesarion could become the heir of the great Caesar. But it didn’t come to that - Caesar, as we all know, was stabbed to death at the next meeting of the Senate.

Cleopatra returned to Egypt, where she learned about the formation of the next ruler of Rome. She decided to seduce him, and to carry out her plan, she sailed to Tarsus (present-day Turkey) on a special ship. Anyway, Mark Antony fell in love with Cleopatra, and soon after they became lovers, Cleopatra bore Antony two twins.

The end of the relationship, as well as the lives of both lovers, was put by the confrontation between Mark Antony and Octavian, Caesar’s nephew (Antony, by the way, was married to Octavian’s sister, but left her for Cleopatra). Mark Antony returned to Rome, quarreled with Octavian, and a war began, which ended in the complete defeat of the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. After Octavian's troops entered Egypt, Cleopatra hid in the mausoleum, and Anthony was told that she had committed suicide. Mark Antony, without hesitation, threw himself on the sword and died in the arms of his beloved. Cleopatra killed herself after she learned that she would be carried through the streets of Rome in a carriage, as a symbol of defeated Egypt.

2. Catherine the Great and Grigory Potemkin

In 1761, Catherine the Great was not yet Great, she was just the wife of a not particularly wise tsar Peter III. After only a year of reign, he was deprived of power (not without the help of Catherine) and killed (maybe Catherine herself sent the killers, there is such an option). After this, a prominent military man, Grigory Potemkin, stands guard over the life and peace of the queen.

She was never indifferent to male beauty and strong character, and fell madly in love with Potemkin, showering him with money and honors. To the credit of the latter, Potemkin really began to serve his queen faithfully. Ekaterina, being very strong-willed woman, she loved Potemkin so much that she even wrote him tender love letters, which she almost never did. Potemkin and Catherine, according to some sources, even got married, although the fact of the wedding is doubtful among many historians. The wedding took place in 1774 in the Church of the Ascension, which has not survived to this day.

Catherine and Potemkin eventually became just comrades-in-arms, but Catherine until the end of her days had very warm feelings for her secret husband. After his death at the age of 52, she lost heart and was almost constantly depressed.

3. Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine

In the fall of 1795, Josephine, in her thirties, met with Napoleon, who had just turned 26 years old. To him she seemed like a very elegant and graceful lady, noble and even somewhat proud. Perhaps the success was also reinforced by the fact that Josephine managed to perfectly play the role of the supplicant.

In general, Napoleon and Josephine got engaged, and they did it at a time when no one could yet suspect Napoleon’s dizzying career. By the way, when he goes on long hikes, she plunges headlong into love adventures.

Despite everything, Napoleon idolizes his wife, and his joy is overshadowed by only one fact - Josephine cannot get pregnant. In the end, Napoleon breaks the bonds of marriage, although he does not stop loving his Josephine. She was the only person to whom the prisoner of St. Helena turned in his dying delirium. He did not see any flaws in his “goddess”, and kept his love until his death.

4. Nicholas II and Alexandra Fedorovna

Young Nicholas II, future king Russia, fell in love with German princess Alexandru as soon as he saw her. Despite all the strict moral laws of that time, which were even more stringent in relation to royalty, Nicholas and Alexandra began to often appear in public together.

The future tsar and Alexandra Feodorovna were engaged in 1893. Soon after this, Nicholas's father died, and, a couple of days later, Nicholas II became Tsar of all Russia. Their love continued until the idyll was disrupted by the uprising of workers and peasants, plus Grigory Rasputin appeared on the horizon.

Be that as it may, on July 16, 1918, all royal family was destroyed by the Bolsheviks. People died, but their love story remained.

5. Charles Lindbergh and Anna Spencer Morrow

Charles Lindbergh became famous in 1927 after he crossed the Atlantic Ocean. A year later, traveling around Latin America, he met his future wife, Anna Spencer Morrow, daughter of the US Ambassador to Mexico.

Their relationship attracted worldwide attention, and just one year later, Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow became husband and wife. Soon after, Charles and Anne began flying together, conquering the skies. They set the world speed record between Los Angeles and New York in 1930, with Anna already seven months pregnant.

Both were not only skilled pilots, but also wrote books, becoming the authors of as many as 13 books. Unfortunately, the bright life of both was overshadowed by the kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh son in 1932. Despite everything, Lindeberg is considered one of the most romantic couples, who really lived in perfect harmony, as they say.

Love is a strange and complex feeling, sometimes (and more often!) alien to common sense, not recognizing the rules and opinions of others.

Love is a disease that affects the souls and hearts of people, regardless of who they are - mere mortals or stars. This disease often leads to misfortunes and tragedies and ruins human destinies. Love is an all-consuming passion without a trace; to experience it with your own eyes is great torment and suffering. And the ten love stories that we will talk about eloquently testify to this.

The most famous couple British theater and film actors. The lovers went against each other public opinion, trampling on the Puritan laws of the country. They were both married, but this circumstance did not stop Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier from loving each other passionately, without looking back. In order not to live in deception, Vivienne took a desperate step: frank interview She spoke honestly to The Times about her personal drama. And the harsh public softened its anger with mercy: it forgave its favorites.

The marriage of Vivien and Lawrence was considered the happiest among acting unions. However, the ever-enthusiastic public was not allowed to know what was actually happening in star family. Vivienne literally idolized her husband, and every separation from him during filming ended in bouts of depression for her. Of course, this had a hard impact on family life. And one day Lawrence could not stand it: after 17 years joint marriage he left Vivienne. By that time, Vivien was seriously ill, and separation from her loved one only accelerated the tragedy. The famous Scarlett died in the summer of 1967 from pulmonary tuberculosis. Until the end of her days, she continued to love only one person - Laurence Olivier...

They dreamed of living happily ever after in love and harmony. But fate decreed otherwise. Keanu and Jennifer had to ordeal: a week before giving birth, while still in the womb, the daughter dies. Of course, it was incredibly difficult to survive. If Keanu still held on, withdrawn into himself, then Jennifer broke down. Trying to numb the pain of losing her daughter, she decided to find solace in alcohol and drugs. It all ended tragically: a year later, Jennifer dies in a car accident. Keanu still keeps the memory of his beloved woman in his heart, but he doesn’t tell anyone about it anywhere...

The novel of the great opera singer and the richest man in the world can be called a story of passionate love and humiliation. Aristotle first saw Mary at a ball in Venice. He invited the singer and her husband on his yacht “Christina” - a legendary symbol of luxury of that time. Aristotle was shocked by Mary's magnificent beauty. (Let's say that the diva at that time lost 30 kilograms and was in excellent health. physical fitness.) The romance between them was like a typhoon. Captivated by passion, Mary and Aristotle did not pay attention to anyone. Meneghini, Callas's husband, found himself in a stupid position. He, however, was ready to forgive this affair and return her to the family, but it was too late. Aristotle and Mary did not even think of parting: all-consuming love overshadowed their minds. However, some time passed, passions gradually subsided, Aristotle became fed up and showed himself in “all his glory.” He behaved rudely and cruelly towards Maria. Mary, blinded by love, endured everything steadfastly and sacrificially. And then fate dealt her a terrible blow: Aristotle unexpectedly married Jacqueline Kennedy, the widow of the American president. Maria, who had lost her voice by that time, imprisoned herself within the walls of her house. Even Aristotle's later repentance for his actions did not reduce her suffering.

...When Onassis was dying in a Paris hospital, Maria Callas was next to him. And Jacqueline was in New York. Upon learning of her husband's death, she ordered herself a collection of mourning dresses from Valentino...

The whole world watched the stormy romance of these stars with admiration. The love of Elizabeth and Richard was reminiscent of the passions described in the most famous work of F.M. Dostoevsky "The Brothers Karamazov". Feelings on the verge of losing your mind, unpredictable actions. Madly in love with each other, they seemed to have forgotten about the existence of the family, about the opinion of Hollywood society, which clearly did not like the behavior of the actors. Before meeting Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton was married to actress Sybil Wallace and had a couple of children. And Elizabeth was in another marriage with singer Eddie Fisher. And it all started with the filming of the film “Cleopatra”, in which Taylor played Egyptian queen, and her partner was Barton. Ironically, he got the role of Mark Antony, madly in love with Cleopatra and accepting death for her sake.

It was as if they were deliberately burning in a crazy fire of love: quarrels, partings, fights. After each scandal, Richard Burton gave Elizabeth diamonds as a sign of reconciliation. He was a man of broad soul, generous and at the same time incredibly temperamental and aggressive. Elizabeth was his match. And it couldn’t go on like this for long: two bears would never get along in the same den. After two divorces and two remarriages, they eventually separated for good. AND a terrible blow for Elizabeth there was news of the death of Richard Burton (by that time the star already had new husband). She suddenly realized that she, in fact, had never had a closer and more beloved man...

This love story still amazes everyone with its tragedy and hopelessness. It would seem that the ideal romance of European stars promised a happy fate. But things were different. By by and large this love story could be called the story of human meanness, when high and deep feelings become a bargaining chip to achieve their goal.

Romy and Alain were absolutely different people. She is a sophisticated aristocrat, educated, intelligent, one of the best actresses in world cinema. He comes from the lower classes, one might say, a street child, with rude (as Romy’s friends testified then) manners, a cynical fellow with a pretty appearance. Now it is difficult to say for what reason the brilliant beauty fell in love with such an odious person. However, Romy Schneider was so consumed by passion that she did not pay any attention to Alain Delon’s shortcomings. Meanwhile, he, accepting her sacrificial love, humiliated Romi at every step, openly laughed at the principles of a woman who was used to living openly and honestly. True, Delon’s painful pride did not allow him to admit one thing: how he was “blinded” by the future star loving woman, and thanks to her connections he entered the world of high cinema. Soon they part: tolerating Alain’s betrayal, a rude and cynical attitude towards himself, often reaching the point of assault, was already beyond all Romi’s strength.

But several years will pass when Delon suddenly “remembers” Schneider. And again this will be connected with mercantile interests: Alain’s career experienced a crisis, failures began to haunt him. But, being a man from the bottom, he has a tenacious grip in order to regain his place in the sun at the expense of someone. At his insistence, the director invites Romy Schneider to play the role of a partner in the film “Swimming Pool”. And thanks to Romi’s talent and her luxurious beauty, the picture received world fame. And then he disappeared from her life again.

Until the end of her days, Romy continued to love this man, deliberately ruining her talent and career. She died at 44 from a heart attack.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt

Seven years of living together with her loved one seemed like a real paradise for Jennifer, which was destroyed by the assertive, strong-willed, knowledgeable Hollywood “predator” – Angelina Jolie.

And Aniston had to, with pain in her heart, with poorly hidden resentment, give up her place in the family “hut” to another woman. And the strong, courageous Brad, as he looks in the films he played, did not at all resist the charms of Lara Croft. And soon he walked down the aisle with her. They say that he even became a vegetarian, forever forgetting about the meat that Aniston cooked.

And no matter how strong Jennifer was from the mental blow inflicted, no, no, and sadness and longing for the old days slipped into her behavior, when she loved and adored only one person - Brad Pitt. This is probably the reason why she is still unlucky in her personal life: she has not yet met a man to whom she would become attached with all her heart and soul.

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner

Frank worshiped Ava like a goddess. She is one of brightest stars Hollywood, had unprecedented beauty and some kind of magnetic, bewitching, all-consuming power that no man could resist. Many called their stormy romance a “bullfight of love.” Ava, spoiled by the attention of Hollywood bosses and rich fans, literally played with Frank’s fate and tested his strength. And the most popular singer of the century followed on her heels, forgetting about family and children. Everyone could see that Sinatra seemed to be seized by a love fever, in the bouts of which he wrote best songs, dedicated to Ava. He was oppressed by constant jealousy, and even from this devouring feeling he lost his voice. One day he almost committed suicide when he learned that Ava had started another affair with a bullfighter. The flighty beauty stopped him, firmly promising to return to him.

Such obsession in relationships did its job: they finally got married. However, living together turned out to be real torture, consisting of constant mutual reproaches of infidelity and attacks of jealousy. Both Frank and Ava somehow did not notice that, figuratively speaking, they had burned all the bridges to retreat. They quietly and quietly divorced. And it was a little funny, even sad, to know that even after the divorce they secretly met and continued to love each other.

Then, much later, Frank will have no end to the beautiful, famous women. But, according to his bitter admission, not one of them will even remotely resemble Ava - the first and last true love...

Perhaps Paul McCartney is still biting himself. It was he who sent John Lennon to an exhibition of avant-garde painting by the unknown Japanese woman Yoko. Lennon, who does not understand such art, called everything he saw dregs. This attitude towards her “brainchild” greatly outraged the ambitious artist and touched her heart. And soon John was attacked by a frantic and impetuous Japanese woman, who fell head over heels in love with the famous musician and singer. Yoko sat for hours at Lennon's house, guarded his every exit, and constantly called him. Yoko bombarded the musician with threatening letters and abused the family of the member of the world-famous quartet in every possible way. And one day John suddenly discovered that he was not indifferent to a persistent Japanese woman. Lennon felt a spiritual kinship with Yoko. It turned out that they have the same interests in life and the same views on modern society which they mutually despised and disliked. Love, like a carousel, spun John and Yoko in a crazy whirlwind. They spent all their time together, never being separated for a minute. And, apparently, Lennon’s all-consuming passion for Yoko was the reason that the famous quartet soon broke up. But John didn’t want to know anything, he was blinded by love and lived literally in one breath, enjoying the presence of the woman he loved. Until the fan's fatal shot...

Marion Cotillard and Julien Rassam

Marillon is one of the charming actresses of world cinema, an Oscar winner who has dreamed of beautiful, tender love all her life. An intelligent, kind, smart girl read novels telling about a high feeling for which people sometimes sacrifice themselves, performing noble deeds. And soon she met the prince of her destiny - Julien Rassam. True, Marion’s acquaintances and friends warned her that this love would not bring anything good. Julien was talented actor but suffered mental disorders and craving for drugs. With her sacrificial love, Marion tried to save her loved one and revive his interest in life. It was all in vain. Julien, who was suicidal, jumped out of the window right before her eyes. He did not die, but became crippled, chained to wheelchair. And again, Marion carefully and tenderly looks after her beloved, secretly hoping and believing that a miracle will happen - and everything will change in better side. However, subsequent events showed that this would not happen: two years later, Julien committed suicide...

His death shocked Marion so much that she for a long time I avoided situations that even slightly resembled family happiness.

Moritz Stiller and Greta Garbo

She was a sweet, curvy girl. And Moritz, like the Greek sculptor Pygmalion, had to “sculpt” her into a slender beauty - the future Northern Princess, about whom all of Europe would speak with delight and admiration. Greta became the dream of the famous director Moritz Stiller, with whom he was hopelessly in love. And when she ascends to the Hollywood Olympus, it will suddenly become unnecessary neither to Hollywood nor to Garbo. Moritz will return to his homeland, Sweden, to die in a few months with a photograph of Greta in his hands...

Eternal? In the context of modern realities, these questions sound very rhetorical.

Meanwhile, love is the brightest and strongest feeling.

And now we will tell you the most famous love stories that will prove this to you.

1. Romeo and Juliet

The most popular couple in the whole world, which has become synonymous with the word “love”. "Romeo and Juliet", a tragedy from the pen of William Shakespeare, about two teenagers from warring families who fall in love with each other. For the sake of their feelings, they decided to sacrifice their own lives, which finally reconciled the warring families.

Mark Antony and Cleopatra fell in love at first sight. Since they were quite influential people, Egypt only benefited from their romance, but the Romans, on the contrary, were afraid of the growing influence of the Egyptians. Despite everything, Cleopatra and Mark Antony entered into. One day, while fighting against the Romans, Mark was informed of Cleopatra's false death. Unable to find the strength to live on, he committed suicide. Upon learning of the death of her lover, Cleopatra also committed suicide.

Sir Lancelot fell in love with Queen Guinevere, wife of King Arthur. Their passion flared up very slowly, but one day they were caught by surprise in the queen's bedroom. The escape attempt failed, or rather, only Lancelot escaped. The queen was sentenced to death for treason. However, Lancelot saved her from certain death. At the same time, the Knights of the Round Table split into two groups, weakening the influence of King Arthur. The lovers had to part – Lancelot ended his days as a hermit, and Guinevere became a nun.

The story of the unhappy love of Tristan and Isolde also took place during the reign of King Arthur. Isolde, daughter of the King of Ireland, became engaged to King Mark of Cornwall. Tristan, King Mark's nephew, was to accompany Isolde to Cornwall. However, young people fall in love with each other. But, despite this, the royal wedding still took place, although the intrigue with Tristan continues after. In the end, the deceived king finds out about love relationships his wife, but forgives her, exiling Tristan from Cornwall.

In Brittany, Tristan met Isolde, who was very similar to his beloved. He married her, although the marriage could not be called happy. One day he became very ill and sent for his beloved, in the hope of healing. He agreed with the captain of the ship that if Isolde arrived, he would raise white sails, if not, then black ones. However, Tristan's wife deceived him, saying that the ship's sails were black. Tristan died of grief without waiting for his beloved, and soon she died of a broken heart.

Helen of Troy is one of the most beautiful women in world literature. She married the king of Sparta, Menelaus. However, she was kidnapped by Paris, the son of King Priam of Troy, and taken to Troy. For the sake of the liberation of Helen, a huge army headed by the brother of Menelaus headed to Troy. Troy was destroyed, and the beautiful Helen returned to Sparta, to her happy family life with Menelaus.

The love story of Orpheus and Eurydice is an ancient Greek myth about the desperate and courageous love of a man for a nymph. They lived in love and harmony until Eurydice began to be pursued by Aristaeus, the Greek god of earth and agriculture. Fleeing from his pursuit, Eurydice fell into a snake's nest, where she was fatally stung. Orpheus, distraught with grief, sang sad songs that moved both the gods and the nymphs to pity. They advised him to go down to the kingdom of the dead, where his music moved Hades and Persephone to pity. They agreed to return Eurydice to earth, but set a condition - Orpheus should not turn around and look at her. But he was unable to fulfill this condition, and she disappeared again, forever.

Napoleon married Josephine for convenience when he was 26 years old. She was older than him and much richer. However, after some time, the couple fell in love with each other, although they indulged in infidelity. They stayed together due to mutual respect, but separated due to Josephine's infertility.

Sacrifice in relationships is not accessible to everyone. 20 years passed after the separation and before the new reunion. for long years. Soon after the wedding, Odysseus went to war. Despite dwindling hopes for her husband's return, Penelope refused her suitors exactly 108 times, just as Odysseus resisted the charms of the witch who promised him eternal youth. After 20 years, Odysseus returned to his wife and son and the family was finally reunited.

Francesca, being married to the terrible man Gianciotto Malatesta, fell in love with his brother, Paolo. However, soon the deceived husband found out about everything and killed both of them.

10. Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is about the love and hate between Scarlett and Rhett Butler. They quarreled, then made up, only to quarrel again. Scarlett can't decide who she really needs. Having chosen Rhett, they again do not agree in character and finally break up.

Orphan Jane gets a job as a governess in the house of the rich man Edward Rochester, love breaks out between them and they decide to get married. But on the wedding day, the bride finds out that her groom is already married. Jane escapes and returns only after Rochester's house is destroyed by fire, where his wife died and he himself became blind. Jane remains by her lover's side, and their love lasts until the end of their lives.

Romantic and tragic story about unattainable love, written by Nizami Ganja. Leyli and Kays fall in love while still schoolchildren. However, they are soon forbidden to communicate, and Qais goes to live in the desert, where he becomes known as Majnun - a madman. There he meets a Bedouin who promised him to return his beloved.

However, the lovers still cannot be together because of Leili's father. Soon she becomes the wife of another man. However, after the death of her husband, Leili still meets with Majnun, although they could not be together. After death they were buried together.

The story of a monk and a nun who, despite everything, fell in love with each other and conceived a child, after which they secretly got married. But Fultbert, Heloise's uncle, hides his niece in the monastery and orders Abelard to be castrated. Having gone through troubles and adversity, they continued to love each other until the end of their lives.

Pyramus and Thisbe had been friends since childhood, but their parents were against the wedding. One day, they decided to meet at dawn near a mulberry tree. Thisbe arrived first and noticed a lion who had come to drink from a spring located near a tree. The predator's mouth was bloody, and Thisbe began to run away from him. On the way, she lost a scarf, which the lion liked. Pyramus, who came to the tree, decided that the lion had killed his beloved and pierced himself with his own sword. Coming out of hiding, Thisbe saw the dead Pyramus and killed herself with his sword.

Darcy – typical representative aristocracy, and Elizabeth is one of the five daughters of a master with very modest incomes. Jane Austen's novel describes the whole story of the birth of love between two representatives of different social classes, who cannot be together, nor can they love someone else.

Salim, the son of the Mongol emperor Akbar, fell in love with the courtesan Anarkali. But his father resisted their love in every possible way, trying to alienate the lovers from each other. However, Salim did not accept his father’s decision and declared war on him. Salim was defeated and sentenced to death. Anarkali decides to help her lover by giving up her love to save Salim. She was buried alive in a brick wall in front of Salim.

Pocahontas, an Indian princess, daughter of Powhatan, chief of the Powhatan tribe, first saw Europeans in 1607. She turned her attention to John Smith, who was captured and tortured by her fellow tribesmen. Pocahontas saved him from death, and he soon became a member of the tribe. Smith and Pocahontas became friends, and the princess visited Jamestown, giving him letters from her father.

However, on one of her next visits she was told that Smith was dead. After some time, Pocahontas is captured by Sir Samuel Argall, hoping to use her as an intermediary in the release of English prisoners. While in captivity, the princess becomes a Christian and takes the name Rebecca. A year later, she marries John Ralph, and once dates John Smith, 8 years later. This is their last meeting.

Back in 1612, teenage girl Arjumand Banu became the wife of 15-year-old Shah Jahan, ruler of the Mughal Empire. After a while, she took the name Mumtaz Mahal and bore her husband 14 children, becoming his beloved wife. She died in 1629, and the emperor ordered the erection of a monument to his beloved wife. It took 20 years of work, 1,000 elephants and 20,000 workers, and the result was the Taj Mahal monument. After a while, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his own son, and, being imprisoned in the Red Fort in Agra, he looked at the monument of his beloved, where he was subsequently buried.

The young scientist Marie Sklodowska spent countless hours in the library, where she met Pierre Curie, the director of one of the laboratories in which she worked. Pierre courted her for a long time and made repeated attempts to propose marriage. They got married in 1895, and in 1898 they jointly discovered radium and polonium. In 1903 they received the Nobel Prize, and a year later Pierre died. Marie decided to continue their common cause, and in 1911 she received another Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Marie died in 1934 from leukemia.

Victoria was a cheerful and cheerful girl. Having ascended the throne in 1837, she married Prince Albert three years later. The couple had 9 children, they loved each other dearly.

After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria did not appear in public for three years. Her solitude caused criticism and bewilderment. She gradually returned to public life, although she never stopped mourning for her husband until her own death in 1901. Her reign was the longest in English history, during which Britain became a world power on which “the sun never sets.”

Love is not the ideal that is written about in women's novels, but a real relationship that inspires and forces you to change for the sake of your loved one.

Everyone dreams of the kind of love for which you can move mountains or give up really important things if circumstances require it. Unfortunately, many people search for such feelings for years, but never find them and, not wanting to waste time on trifles, prefer to live alone all their lives. However, we found several real stories, which confirm that true love exists.

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner

For America, Frank Sinatra became a true legend and symbol of the era of show business and the golden era of Hollywood. And while all the beauties of that time tried to win his heart, including Marilyn Monroe and Lana Turner, only one woman truly drove him crazy. He was so lost in this love that he went on a drinking binge, lost his voice and at times behaved inappropriately. The actress who drove the great performer crazy was named Ava Gardner, and she had a magical effect on men. They were immediately ready to do anything if only this beauty would pay attention to them.

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner

Before meeting Sinatra, Ava had already been married twice and had a crazy affair with multimillionaire Howard Hughes. Howard threw planes, diamonds, and luxurious clothes at the feet of the wayward beauty, but she only accepted the gifts with cold politeness, keeping her admirer at a distance. By the way, Frank himself, who also had a wife and three children, did not consider having a family an obstacle to love affairs. The fatal meeting took place in 1950 at the premiere of the film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” After that evening, Sinatra was not himself, he suffered, was tormented and went crazy with love and jealousy. He couldn't shower the object of his passion expensive gifts, so he relied only on his charm, which, alas, did not always work. As a result, Sinatra wrote his greatest hits and eventually won the favor of the actress. Two southern temperaments came together, and feelings resulted in energy true love and a passion that was impossible to resist.

At first, the lovers met secretly, because Sinatra was still not free. Then Ava flew to Spain, where she began an affair with a bullfighter, and Frank, who found out about this, almost died of grief. The actress took pity on him, promising to return, but then fell into the arms of Richard Greene. The performer was pumped up with sleeping pills, and only a miracle saved him. Ava finally gave in and agreed to marry him. The ceremony took place in Philadelphia, and the couple enjoyed quiet family happiness for a couple of years. But then they begin to torment each other with jealousy and in 1957, after a stormy showdown, they file for divorce. Frank claimed that after Ava he had many women, but none could give him the feelings that he experienced with his muse.

This is perhaps the most famous misalliance in history, when for the sake of his beloved woman the English monarch Edward VIII voluntarily abdicated the throne. Envious people vied with each other to discuss the fact that the King of England suddenly became infatuated with a twice-divorced American woman. This was not only strange, but also unreasonable, in the opinion of many Englishmen. Residents of Britain were sure that a kind of end of the world had come and the collapse of moral and ethical standards and foundations of secular society.

Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII of England

The 36-year-old monarch met Mrs Wallis Simpson at a dinner party in early November 1930. At the same time, as historians recall, the prince fell in love with a married lady at first sight, although she was far from beautiful and did not have any outstanding talents. However, you cannot command your heart, and soon the prince won her favor. The lovers were not embarrassed by Wallis’s status, public censure, or boycott royal family, who hoped that the monarch would soon play enough and find himself a worthy passion. But it was not there!

In January 1936, when the English King George V died, Edward assumed the throne, and Wallis immediately decided to officially divorce her legal spouse. At the same time, neither parliament nor members of the royal family even wanted to hear about this divorced American suddenly becoming the wife of a monarch. Therefore, poor Edward had to make a choice between the English throne and his feelings. It was obvious to many that he would choose the title and crown. But, alas, Edward decided to leave everything for the sake of his beloved woman.

On December 10, 1936, Edward VIII publicly abdicated the throne, making his famous speech, and then devoted himself entirely to family life. The couple lived a very happy life and traveled a lot until the monarch died of cancer in 1972.

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier

And although in this union there was no Great love, however, the story of the Hollywood actress and the Prince of Monaco has truly become a legend.

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier

One of Alfred Hitchcock's most beloved actresses, Grace had a Nordic appearance and a reserved manner that gave the impression that she was not hollywood celebrity, and the most real princess. However, despite the outward coldness, the star was very amorous and passionate and could easily have a light affair right on the spot. film set with the operator or accept beautiful courtship from the Iranian Shah. In Hollywood they believed that Miss High Society, as the actress was called angelic appearance, deserves to be the wife of only a real prince. In the end, this happened, and soon Grace was married to Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

It is worth noting that the acquaintance that took place in 1955 changed the lives of not only young people, but also the entire state. The prince had been looking for a worthy wife for a long time, so marrying a famous Hollywood beauty with a good reputation helped attract investment and arouse the interest of tourists in the bankrupt Monaco. Rainier figured that a wedding to an Oscar-winning Hollywood actress would be a successful PR move, and the luxurious ceremony, held in 1956, revived interest in Monaco and turned the region into one of the most prestigious on the planet. The country fell in love with its new princess, and Grace gave the state not only long-awaited heirs, but also new economic opportunities.

Rainier's wife basked in attention, changed outfits from couturiers, posed for glossy publications and visited other countries on official visits. However, while millions of people dreamed of being in the same fairy tale, Grace suffered from the difficult character of her husband, and social duties were real hard labor for her. Soon the actress had health problems, she began to gain weight, and her grown children began to run away from home, abandon social responsibilities and have affairs with bodyguards.

In 1982, Kelly lost control of her car and got into a car accident. The injuries she received turned out to be incompatible with life, so almost the next day, by the prince’s decision, the life support machine supporting his wife’s condition was turned off.

The novel of the great opera diva and the richest man of the mid-twentieth century was called nothing less than a story of passionate love, burning everything in its path, and humiliation. Despite the gossip and public censure, these two even felt happy. At times, but still.

Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis

All representatives of the rich families of that time dreamed of getting the Greek shipowner Aristotle Onassis to a social reception. The billionaire did not refuse invitations, spending evenings surrounded by the most beautiful girls from high society, but, alas, using these fools only to achieve their goals. He managed to turn every acquaintance he had (even with a lady) into a business, but that was until 1959, when he accidentally fell in love for real. His world turned upside down the moment he was introduced to the young opera singer Maria Callas, whose talent was applauded by the whole world.

Maria (real name Cecilia Sophia Anna Maria Kalogeropoulos) was born into a family of Greek immigrants in the United States and quite early married a wealthy Italian industrialist Giovanni Battisto Meneghini. He was a great connoisseur of art, and when he first saw the talented girl, he simply did not want to let her go. And so he put all his affairs aside, becoming a devoted manager and generous producer of his beloved.

But Onassis first noticed Maria Callas at a ball in Venice, and then went to her concert to make sure that this was not just another passing hobby, and later invited the singer and her husband to his legendary yacht “Christina” - main symbol unprecedented luxury of that time. By the way, at the moment when Greek tycoon enjoyed the company of the unfree but desired Maria on his yacht; he was also tied by marriage, but at that time he was not particularly worried about it. Love turned the heads of Mary and Aristotle, and they began an affair in front of the amazed public, spending all nights on the deck, dancing and looking at the starry sky. Upon returning, the lovers immediately began to live together, but soon the billionaire turned from an ardent lover into a real tyrant, constantly insulting Maria in front of his friends, openly cheating and raising his hand against the once beloved woman. Callas, blinded by love, endured, which further provoked her tyrant. As a result, she gave up her career, lost her voice and became isolated. Alas, the Greek tycoon not only did not take pity on his chosen one, but also truly betrayed the one whom he had recently admired. In October 1968, Aristotle Onassis married the widow of US President Jacqueline Kennedy, and Maria, who learned about this from the newspapers, locked herself in her apartment and turned into a real recluse.