There have been many scandalous love affairs throughout history, ranging from Antony and Cleopatra or Henry VIII, to modern-day royals and celebrities like Frank, Elizabeth Taylor and Brad Pitt.
The inherent scandal and drama involved in stories about love affairs is often what drives people’s interest in them.
This is true for notable affairs which ended up changing the course of history, modern British royal affairs, and even celebrity love affairs that have played out in tabloids in more recent history.
Why are love affairs so captivating?
The concept of love, and the loss thereof, have been at the centre of philosophical questions, psychological experiments, neurological mysteries, and ordinary conversations for centuries.
The reality is that the absolute scandal, betrayal, and drama that is inherent in a story about people who fall out of love with one partner and in love with another, is often just too enticing to look past.
As a result, love affairs still form the basis of many television shows, movies, books, and tabloids to this day.
The most scandalous love affairs in history
In fact, over the years, the love affairs of prominent figures have been so captivating that they have been woven into the fabric of world history, art, and pop culture.
While most extramarital affairs can change the lives of families and friendship circles, some affairs have had such a far-reaching impact that they changed the course of history.
In the case of Helen and Paris of Troy’s famous love affair, the affair set off a chain reaction which eventually caused a year-long war between the Greeks (who were referred to as the Achaeans at the time) and the Trojans.
This resulted in mass casualties on both sides, and it is still covered in history lessons to this day. Antony and Cleopatra, and Henry VIII also had notable affairs that are still discussed to this day.
Some more modern historical figures have also had their fair share of elicit affairs, including notable members of the British royal family, like Prince Edward and Prince Charles (at the time) and his former wife, Princess Diana.
It is also impossible to round up the most scandalous affairs in history without mentioning some of the most widely publicised celebrity affairs.
These include golden-age Hollywood stars like Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, or Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner to modern-day scandals like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s affair on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Love affairs that changed history
Paris and Helen of Troy may have caused a war between the Greeks and the Trojans, but Antony and Cleopatra’s affair ended with torrid tale whereby Anthony was falsely told that Cleopatra had committed suicide even though she was still alive.
He was then taken prisoner and ultimately killed himself with his own sword. Although recollections of exactly how Cleopatra ended up killing herself to follow suit vary, she did die, and these two star-crossed lovers were eventually buried next to each other.
Henry VIII’s affairs are such a notable part of history that he is now as well known for having six wives as he is for establishing Royal Navy and his significant changes to the English Constitution.
However, most notably, Henry VII’s affair with Anne Boleyn eventually led to him separating the Church of England from papal authority.
Modern royal affairs
Unfortunately, many modern British royals have also not been able to escape the lure of extramarital affairs.
Prince Edward VIII even abdicated the throne in 1936 so that he could marry his American love, Wallis Simpson, when she got divorced in 1937.
Years later, the then Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Princess Diana and James Gilbey, all got caught up in one of the most scandalous royal affairs and one of the most highly-publicised divorces in recent history.
The most noteworthy celebrity love affairs
While the love affairs that have taken place throughout history and even more recent royal affairs can seem like fabricated stories that have been changed and repeated for centuries, modern celebrity affairs that have played out in tabloids are often just as scandalous, but they feel all too real.
In fact, some golden-age celebrities like Frank Sinatra had an affair with Ava Gardner, or Elizabeth Taylor, who married her best friend’s ex-husband, Eddie Fisher, in 1959, and was later also involved in an affair with Richard Burton, while ironically filming as “Cleopatra”. Taylor and Burton got married just days after her divorce from Fisher.
In more recent history, the scandalous love affair between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston, is still brought up on social media and in the tabloids to this day.
