Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden’s relationship was a famous affair. The two bonded over their patriotic beliefs and married just three days after Fonda finalized her divorce from Roger Vadim.
American actress and political activist Jane Fonda flourished in the entertainment industry from the 1960s to the 1990s, starring in films. She is also known for her activism and campaigns for the cause she believes in.
Born as Jane Seymour Fonda, the former model has always lived in a world of fame. Her father, Henry Fonda, was one of Hollywood’s legendary actors, and her mother, Frances Seymour Brokaw, was an Ontario-born New York celebrity.
Jane Fonda, Cecil B. DeMille Award Winner, speaks on stage at the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards broadcast on February 28, 2021 | Photo: Getty Images
FONDAS LIFE
Growing up, Fonda initially showed little interest in her father’s career path. But over time, it turned out that the activist had her father’s acting genes.
Fonda’s interest in acting grew after she met Lee Strasberg in 1958. She made her screen debut in the film “Tall Story” in 1960 and won two Academy Awards in 1978 for her spectacular appearances in “Klute” and “Coming Home”.
Fonda, now 83, had five Academy Award nominations for best actress in films like “You Shoot Horses, Don’t You?” 1969, Julia 1977, and The China Syndrome 1979. While she had a successful acting career, she also worked in politics.
The environmentalist took part in anti-war activities during the Vietnam War. Fonda’s involvement in politics led to her association with activist Tom Hayden. She and Hayden became romantically linked after a short period of time.
FONDA AND TOM HAYDEN’S RELATIONSHIP
Fonda and Hayden connected through their interest in politics. According to a source, the two first met in 1971 when the actress stepped into Hayden’s world of activism. They began dating after participating in the protests in the Vietnam War.
Fonda and Hayden both moved on after their failed marriage. The politician married the actress Barbara Williams.
Fonda once spoke about their relationship and how she fell in love with the politician. She called Hayden “someone with depth and soul who is different from any man I have ever met”.
The actress recalled a time when she was making herself comfortable in the living room with the late activist and was interrupted by her daughter Vanessa. Fonda explained that Hayden immediately stopped looking after the girl.
For Fonda, Hayden’s pleasant interaction with Vanessa was “another good sign”. She also thought about the politician’s intelligence, which fascinated her when they spent more time together. According to Fonda, she was amazed at Hayden’s “strategic mind”.
Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden on January 01, 1979 | Photo: Getty Images
After a while, the couple decided to get married. News reports showed that the lovebirds decided to marry because of Fonda’s desire to have children.
According to Fonda, when Hayden’s mother heard of her pregnancy, the older woman thought it better to welcome her child during the marriage. She explained that Hayden’s mother believed that marriage would benefit them in other ways as well.
Fonda, 83, remembered Hayden calling his mother to bring the news to her. She noticed that he was only listening to the person on the other end while he stared at her after telling his mother the news.
However, after Hayden dropped the call, Fonda noticed he was explaining his mother’s reasons for proposing marriage. Fonda pointed out that the older woman was thinking about the public perception of a child outside of marriage, the woman also stated:
“What if you go on the Johnny Carson Show to talk about the war and all he wants to know is why you’re not married.”
Fonda realized she wanted to marry Hayden but was cautious after her time with Roger Vadim. But, according to Fonda, Hayden seemed to have considered getting married as it took only a few minutes for them to agree on a marriage.
Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim in California in December 1965 | Photo: Getty Images
failed marriage
Fonda once pondered her differences with Hayden when they were a married couple. In an interview, the actress stated that the success of her book “Jane Fondas Workout Book” was not well received by the late politician.
According to Fonda, Hayden had written so many books and by the time she wrote Jane Fonda’s Workout Book it was at the top of the New York Times for two years. The “Barbarella” actress stated that she would have had “a certain level of resentment” had she been Hayden.
She also stated that things had changed in her marriage and that her life was “on two separate tracks.” The star also recalled that she and Hayden weren’t happy in marriage after a while.
Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden at the Los Angeles premiere of “The China Syndrome” on January 01, 1979 | Photo: Getty Images
After their split, Fonda documented the details of their failed marriage. The actress stated that she sometimes wondered what could have happened if she had taken other measures to make her marriage to Hayden work.
IN THE DIVORCE OF FONDA AND HAYDEN
Fonda announced that their children, Vanessa and Troy, knew the marriage was not going to work. She noticed that she and Hayden had terrible communication and were undoubtedly unable to speak to their children.
Vanessa is Fonda’s daughter with Vadim. The Book Club star stated that Vanessa was working in Africa when she notified her of the divorce. Fonda’s testimony revealed that her daughter flew home immediately, which meant a lot to the actress.
Fonda, 83, noted that Vanessa never liked “what she saw, how I became with Tom”. The actress said Vanessa then told her that after the divorce she would have time for her “friends that Tom chased away”.
MORE ABOUT FONDA
Fonda talked about the pain she felt during her failed marriage to Hayden. The star stated in an interview shared on YouTube that she had a “nervous breakdown” during her marriage to the late activist.
She stated that she was in great pain staying in a broken marriage. The actress noticed that people had advised her to stay busy, but she knew it was wrong. However, Fonda stated that she kept exercising because it made her feel alive.
Actress Jane Fonda poses backstage with husband Tom Hayden and family after accepting father Henry Fonda for Best Actor at the 54th Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 29, 1982 | Photo: Getty Images
Fonda and Hayden both moved on after their failed marriage. The politician married actress Barbara Williams and they had a son, Liam. Fonda also found love again when she met television producer Ted Turner.
Hayden remained married to Williams until he died after a long battle with various health problems. The antiwar activist died aged 76, and his wife Williams said he had a stroke in 2015.
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