First up was Josephine Alicia Saenz, with whom he had four children during their 12 years of marriage. She was followed by Esperanza Bauer, who accused Wayne of having an affair with a co-star (he denied it, as did the co-star) and tried to shoot him at least once during their eight years of marital bliss. The third wife was Pilar Pallette, with whom he had three more children.
During that time, he was associated romantically with a number of celebrities, including a nine-year affair with actress Merle Oberon. Though we'd like to say that Wayne and Pilar lived happily ever after, apparently that's not the case. They separated in 1973 and he moved in with his former secretary, Pat Stacy, with whom he lived until his death. At least, that's the story she told in her 1983 book Duke: A Love Story.
Two days before he died, he converted to Catholicism. Asked why it took him so long, his grandson said Wayne blamed it on being "busy." No argument here.
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