Uncovering Clara Bow: The Mystery Within Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department
Clara’s official retirement coincided with her marriage to Rex Bell after a two-year courtship. The couple wed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1931, with Rex, whom Clara met on a Western film set, denying their marriage to the press the next day.
According to a 1931 New York Times article, Rex hinted that confirming their marriage could jeopardize their contracts.
Clara, who had a difficult family background, expressed her desire to leave her movie career behind and focus on ranching with Rex, moving to a cattle ranch together. While Rex ventured into politics, Clara cared for their ranch and children.
In 1944, Clara faced personal challenges and attempted suicide due to her husband’s fame and her own mental health struggles, as noted by the National Museum of American History.
After seeking treatment for schizophrenia at a psychiatric institution, Clara chose to live independently in Los Angeles instead of reuniting with her family. She passed away in September 1965 at the age of 60, three years after her husband’s death.