Let me tell you a story about one of Hollywood’s most iconic love affairs. Before Clark Gable met Carole Lombard, his life revolved around his own ego and pleasure. Author Robert Matzen, who wrote Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3, explained it best: "He used women for his ego and his pleasure. That’s just the way it was." Gable, known as the King of Hollywood, was a notorious womanizer. But everything changed when the young and vibrant Carole Lombard entered his life. She wasn’t just another starlet; she was the woman who would transform his world forever.

From Screen to Reality: Their Unlikely Start

When Gable and Lombard first worked together on the film No Man of Her Own, they played a married couple. But the chemistry they displayed on screen didn’t carry over into real life—at least not right away. Carole ended up marrying William Powell instead, thinking Clark wasn’t romantically interested in her. In fact, she once joked about their time together, saying, "We did all kinds of hot love scenes... and I never got any kind of tremble out of him at all." It wasn’t until years later that things between them would take a dramatic turn.

Clark-Gable-Carole-Lombard — Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

The Night That Changed Everything

Fast forward four years, and the two reunited at the Mayfair Ball in Hollywood. They danced the night away, and it was clear from the start that they were meant for each other. Shortly after, they tied the knot in 1939. Matzen described their relationship, saying, "Clark was a very self-involved person, but Carole recognized that and adjusted her life to fit his." She wasn’t just another pretty face; she was someone who could challenge him while adapting to his lifestyle. "She was a tomboy," Matzen added. "She became a capable camper and hunter to please him."

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Success, Struggles, and Sacrifices

After their marriage, Clark’s career skyrocketed with his role in Gone With the Wind. Meanwhile, Carole decided to slow down, focusing on producing and directing so she could spend more time at home. But life wasn’t without its challenges. Miscarriages and Clark’s infidelity began to strain their marriage. Things were tough when Carole embarked on a tour to sell war bonds in 1942. Tragically, she was killed in a plane crash while returning to Los Angeles from Las Vegas.

A Heartbroken Legacy

Carole’s death left Clark devastated. Matzen described how Gable seemed to age overnight, losing his drive to be a movie star and turning to alcohol for solace. "People said he had a death wish," Matzen explained. "I think he felt guilty about Carole’s death. They’d had a huge fight before she left." Although Clark eventually remarried in 1955 to Kay Williams, who tried to emulate Carole’s free-spirited nature, something was always missing. When Clark passed away at the age of 59, he was buried beside Carole—his one true love.

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