Picasso the Lover
Early Days
The affairs of Picasso with women were many and he even frequented brothels to explore relationships with them. He had innumerable lovers but only two wives. In spite of his long years of living with many women, he left four children by three companions. Fernande Olivier was the first lover of his youth when he was struggling at Paris and the relation continued for long. She can be seen in many of the Picasso’s early paintings from Blue and Rose periods. After getting over the difficult days when he started to make a name for himself, Picasso left Fernande and started a new affair with Eva (Marcelle Humbert). He abandoned Eva when she was dying and went on for new relations.
Marriage
The ballerina Olga Koklova was the woman Picasso married in 1918 in Paris. His first son Paulo was born by her. However their love did not last long as Picasso’s wayward life could not be compatible with the orderly and honorable social life that Olga sought. However just to deny her share of his fortune, Picasso refrained from divorcing her and though living separately they remained married till she died in 1955. The second marriage was with Jacqueline Roque in 1961 when Picasso was already very old. Picasso lived with her till the last days of his life.
Affairs
When Picasso was 46 and still married to Olga, he started an affair with Marie Therese Walter aged 17. The constant conflict with Olga and this secret affair with an underage girl soon resulted in separation with Olga. A daughter Maya was born out of this long relationship with Marie though Picasso never married her. Ever in hope of getting married to Picasso, she was left a frustrated woman all her life and committed suicide after Picasso’s death. Dora Maar, the famous photographer and painter was also one of Picasso’s lovers and companions. As with other women, Dora was also treated badly by him and the companionship was over after sometime
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