Phyllis Gates

It is generally accepted that the marriage was arranged by Hudson's agent in an attempt to prevent press revelations that Hudson was gay. In her autobiography, published after Hudson's death from AIDS in 1985, Gates claimed that she was not complicit in the deception and did not know Hudson was homosexual when they married, and that she only became aware of his true sexual orientation after they were married. However, after her death, press articles appeared saying she was a lesbian who was complicit in the deception. No conclusive proof has been definitely established regarding her knowledge or motives, and speculation continues.<br /><br /> Following a brief honeymoon, the marriage began to disintegrate. They separated following rumors that he had committed adultery while on location in Italy for the film A Farewell to Arms in 1957. Read Less