Esperanza Baur: Mexican Actress and Second Wife of John Wayne
Early Life and Career
Esperanza Baur Díaz, born Esperanza Díaz Ceballos on July 17, 1920, was a Mexican actress who rose to prominence in the early 1940s. Born in Mexico City, she made her acting debut in the 1937 film Guadalajara.
Over the next few years, Baur appeared in several successful Mexican films, including La Valentina (1938) and The Count of (1940). Her talent and charisma caught the attention of American actor John Wayne, who met her in 1944 while filming Tall in the Saddle in Mexico.
Marriage to John Wayne
Wayne was instantly smitten with Baur, whom he affectionately nicknamed "Chata" (meaning "flat nose"). After a whirlwind courtship, they married on January 17, 1946, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Baur became Wayne's second wife, following his divorce from Josephine Alicia Saenz in 1944.
Together, Wayne and Baur had three children: Aissa, Ethan, and Marisa. Baur reportedly had a close relationship with Wayne's children from his previous marriage, Michael and Patrick. However, their marriage was not without its challenges. Wayne's demanding acting schedule often kept him away from home, putting a strain on their relationship.
Later Life and Legacy
Baur continued to act occasionally throughout her marriage to Wayne, but her focus shifted to raising her family. She retired from acting in the late 1950s. Sadly, Baur's life was cut short when she died of cancer on March 10, 1961, at the age of 40.
Esperanza Baur was a talented actress and a devoted wife and mother. Her legacy continues through her children and grandchildren, who have carried on the Wayne name in the entertainment industry. Her story serves as a reminder of the challenges and rewards of love and family.
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