Jane Fonda Wed Tom Hayden Just 3 Days After Official Split From Roger Vadim

Publish date: 2024-05-17

Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden's relationship was one 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 thrived in the entertainment industry from the '60s way into the '00s with her starring roles in movies. She is also well-known for her activism, fighting for the cause she believes in.

Born 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 socialite.

Jane Fonda, winner of the Cecil B. DeMille Award, speaks onstage at the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards broadcast on February 28, 2021 | Photo: Getty Images

FONDA'S LIFE

Growing up, Fonda initially showed little interest in her father's career path. But as time passed, it turned out the activist had her father's acting genes.

Fonda's interest in acting strengthened after she met Lee Strasberg in 1958. She made her screen debut in the 1960 movie "Tall Story" and won two Academy Awards for her spectacular performances in 1971's "Klute" and "Coming Home" in 1978.

Fonda, now 83, had five Oscar nominations for Best Actress in movies such as "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" in 1969, "Julia" in 1977, and "The China Syndrome" in 1979. While she had a successful acting career, she was also into politics.

The environmentalist participated in anti-war activism during the Vietnam War. Fonda's involvement in politics led to her association with fellow activist Tom Hayden. She and Hayden became romantically involved after a short while.

FONDA AND TOM HAYDEN'S RELATIONSHIP

Fonda and Hayden bonded over their interest in politics. According to a source, the two first met in 1971 when the actress entered Hayden's world of activism. They started dating after her involvement in the Vietnam War protest.

Fonda and Hayden both moved on after their failed marriage. The politician went on to marry actress Barbara Williams.

Fonda once talked about her relationship and how she fell in love with the politician. She called Hayden "someone with depth and soul different from any man I had ever met."

The actress remembered a time she and the late activist were getting cozy in the living room and got interrupted by her daughter Vanessa. Fonda explained that Hayden immediately halted what they were doing to attend to the girl.

For Fonda, Hayden's pleasant interaction with Vanessa was "another good sign." She also reflected on the politician's intelligence which captivated her as they spent more time together. According to Fonda, she was marveled by Hayden's "strategic mind."

Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden on January 01, 1979 | Photo: Getty Images

After dating for a while, the couple decided to get married in 1973. News reports revealed that the lovebirds chose to marry due to Fonda's desire to have a child.

According to Fonda, when Hayden's mother heard she was pregnant, the older woman felt it would be better for the couple to welcome their child while married. She explained that Hayden's mother believed marriage would also benefit them in other ways.

Fonda, 83, recalled how Hayden was calling his mother to give her the news. She noted that he just listened to the person at the other end while he stared at her after informing his mother of the news.

However, after Hayden dropped the call, Fonda noted that he explained his mother's reasons for suggesting marriage. Fonda pointed out that the older woman thought of the public's perception towards a child outside marriage, the woman also explained:

"What if you go on the Johnny Carson show to talk about the war, and all he wants to know is why you aren't married."

Fonda noted that she wanted to marry Hayden but was careful after her time with Roger Vadim. But according to Fonda, it appeared that Hayden must have thought about marriage as it took only a few minutes for them to agree on getting married.

Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim in California on December 1965 | Photo: Getty Images

FAILED MARRIAGE

Fonda once reflected on her disagreements with Hayden while they were a married couple. During an interview, the actress explained that the success of her book, "Jane Fonda's Workout Book" didn't sit well with the late politician.

According to Fonda, Hayden had written so many books, and when she wrote "Jane Fonda's Workout Book," it was at the top on The New York Times for two years. The "Barbarella" actress explained that she "would have had a certain degree of resentment" if she were Hayden.

She also explained that things changed in their marriage, and their lives were on "two separate tracks." The star also recalled that after a while, she and Hayden were not happy in the marriage.

Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden at the Los Angeles Premiere of "The China Syndrome" on January 01, 1979 | Photo: Getty Images

After their divorce in 1990, Fonda documented the details of her failed marriage. The actress explained that she sometimes thought about what could have happened if she had taken different measures to make her marriage to Hayden work.

INSIDE FONDA AND HAYDEN'S DIVORCE

Fonda revealed that her kids, Vanessa and Troy, were aware that the marriage wasn't working. She noted that she and Hayden had terrible communication and were undoubtedly unable to talk to their children.

Vanessa is Fonda's daughter with Vadim. The "Book Club" star explained that Vanessa was working in Africa when she informed her of the divorce. Fonda's statement revealed that her daughter immediately flew back home, which meant a lot to the actress.

Fonda, 83, noted that Vanessa never liked "what she saw me becoming with Tom." The actress explained that Vanessa then told her she would have time for her "friends who Tom chased away" after the divorce.

MORE ON FONDA

Fonda talked about the pain she felt during her failed marriage to Hayden. The star explained in an interview shared on YouTube that she had a "nervous breakdown" during her marriage to the late activist.

She explained that she felt great pain staying in a broken marriage. The actress noted that people advised her to keep busy, but she knew it was wrong. However, Fonda stated that she kept exercising because that was one way she felt alive.

Actress Jane Fonda with husband Tom Hayden and family poses backstage after accepting her father Henry Fonda "Best Actor" award at the 54th Academy Awards at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 29, 1982 | Photo: Getty Images

Fonda and Hayden both moved on after their failed marriage. The politician went on to marry actress Barbara Williams, and they had a son, Liam. The pair remained married until Hayden passed following a long battle with various health issues at 76.

Fonda also found love again when she met television producer Ted Turner. They wed a year after Fonda's split from Hayden and stayed together for ten years until their relationship also ended in divorce in 2001.

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