![]() Clair Bayfield, a six-foot-tall British Shakespearean actor, had come to New York City in search of his big break but struggled to find success. However, Florence's father, Charles Dorrance Foster, specifically stated in his will that Florence's husband, or any future husband, could not obtain her inheritance. Yes, at least one could certainly make an argument for it. ![]() Clair Bayfield was with Florence Foster Jenkins for her money? Less likely is that it was due to her syphilis preventing her from being able to consummate a marriage and be intimate in that way. Their "common law" marriage was at her insistence and it is possible that this was because she and her first husband had never legally divorced. He presented her his grandmother's wedding ring, and she gave him what she termed to be "a ring of entwining love," a gold ring with a blue stone that he wore on the ring finger of his left hand. No, but they did have a symbolic wedding ceremony at The Hotel Vanderbilt with four witnesses present. Unable to continue playing the piano, Florence refused to give up her love for music and decided to fully embrace singing (an interest she had dabbled in under the radar). In the movie, Florence (Meryl Streep) states that the nerves had been damaged in her left hand, implying it was from her struggle with syphilis (it is unclear whether this is the exact "injury" that forced her to stop playing in real life too). At some point, Florence suffered an injury to her arm that forced her to give up the piano. Around 1900, the two began travelling to New York City often, developing a foothold in high society. Already living in near poverty, her mother Mary came to Philadelphia to help her, offering both guidance and financial support. In the 1890s, while living in Philadelphia after splitting with her husband, the real Florence Foster Jenkins worked as a piano teacher and went back to school. Frank Jenkins had passed away by 1916 and Florence assumed the title of "widow." Doing so would have tarnished her reputation. It is unclear whether they legally divorced or separated, but they were still legally married in 1906, so it is likely that she never sought a divorce. The two seem to have had little in common regardless, and it is believed they cut ties completely after the split. Whether the sexually transmitted disease meant that he hadn't been faithful is unknown but rather likely. The marriage was short-lived, however, and ended after Jenkins contracted syphilis from her husband. ![]() They were married in 1885 after moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but the decision resulted in Florence's father disinheriting her. Frank Thornton Jenkins (1852-1917), who was sixteen years her senior. Why did Florence Foster Jenkins leave her first husband?Īfter Florence's father refused to financially support her desire to continue to study music, she rebelled and left town with Dr.
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