Leonard Gordon: 45 Years of Marriage with Rita Moreno – Why Did She Call Leonard Gordon The Love of Her Life but Not a Good Husband?

Did you watch Rita Moreno’s documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It” recently?

If you have, you’ll know her marriage to Leonard Gordon wasn’t as happy as it seemed. And if you haven’t seen the documentary yet, you’re missing out on some gossip!

Don’t worry; I’ll share with you all the insights into Leonard Gordon’s life, his death, and how the actress is faring after losing her husband.

Leonard Gordon: Bio

Let’s get things started with a quick bio:

• Full Name: Leonard Isadore Gordon
• Birthdate: March 26, 1920
• Birthplace: New York
• Residence: California
• Parents: Alex Gordon and Senka Cilia Gordon
• Spouse: Rita Moreno
• Children: Fernanda Luisa Gordon
• Grandchildren: Cameron and Justin Fisher
• Highschool: Stuyvesant High School
• College: CCNY
• Profession: Cardiologist, internist, and Moreno’s manager
• Death Date: June 30, 2010

Image source: Pinterest

7 Facts About Leonard Gordon and His Relationship With Rita Moreno

Now, it’s time for all the details!

1. It All started with a Blind Date

In 1964, Leonard Gordon went on a blind date that would change the course of his life forever. You see, his date for the day was the Wide Side Story star herself.

Apparently, the two hit it off quickly because they were married one year later. Then, they relocated to Berkeley, where they would live until Gordon’s death.

Image source: Google

2. Gordon Retired From Medicine to Work With Moreno

When the couple first met, Gordon was a medical doctor with a private practice. However, he didn’t stay in the field for long. In the 1980s, he quit medicine altogether and became Moreno’s manager instead.

Side Note: John Ferguson is currently Rita Moreno’s manager, and he joins her on important events and public appearances.

3. The Couple Celebrated Their Last Anniversary in the Hospital

In his last years, Gordon’s health started to deteriorate—so much so that he had to spend a whole month in the hospital before passing away at the age of 90. But he wasn’t alone in his last days.

His wife was there by his side 24/7. She even slept on a cot just to be with him. Morena just believed this is what a person has got to do when they love and respect their spouse.

4. Moreno Kept a Lock of Gordon’s Hair After His Death

In an interview with the Guardian, Rita Moreno opened up about how she felt and what she did after Gordon’s death.

The actress said that she felt “liberated.” That’s quite a shocking statement! Hang on; I’ll get to the details behind the “why” in a minute.

The sweet part here is that she got up and cut a lock of his silver hair to keep with her forever!

Image source: Google

5. Moreno Thinks Gordon was a Terrific Man… Just Not a Good Husband

Okay, let’s unpack Rita Moreno’s statement. Why would a woman feel “liberated” and “relieved” after her husband’s death?

Well, for one, she considered Gordon to be a rather controlling, inflexible man who didn’t like the raucous side of her. So, when he died, Moreno felt that she didn’t have to answer to anybody anymore. Moreno even says that she had to undergo years of therapy to start liking herself.

I know what you’re thinking: Why didn’t she leave him earlier if she was this unhappy?

Apparently, the actress had a few reasons.

For one, Moreno wanted to protect the seemingly perfect marriage for the sake of her daughter, Fernanda. Plus, she didn’t plan on living with someone else anyway. So, she decided to stay with Gordon till the end.

Image source: Google

6. Gordon Was the Love of Moreno’s Life But Not the “Lust” of Her Life

Don’t let that last fact fool you; Moreno didn’t actually hate her late husband.

She just believes that most couples make unspoken deals. In her case, the deal was that Gordon would take care of her, and she’d be his girl and keep him happy.

Then came a time when this deal didn’t sound appealing to the actress anymore. That’s why the marriage soured over time. From this point on, Moreno felt like she was running an extraordinary charade with Gordon.

Still, I feel like the West Side Story star held so much respect for her late husband. In fact, she went as far as describing Leonard Gordon as the love of her life.

The “lust” of her life? That would be Marlon Brando.

Image source: Google

Side Note: Did you know that Moreno’s relationship with Brando led to an abortion and a suicide attempt? You can read all about it in her 2013 memoir.

7. No Man Will Replace Gordon’s Place in Moreno’s Life

Regardless of how troubled Leonard Gordon and Rita Moreno’s marriage was, the actress doesn’t plan on walking down the aisle again. She’d rather eat glass than tie the knot once again (her words, not mine).

Final Thoughts

To recap, Leonard Gordon was a cardiologist and internist who married the actress Rita Mareno back in 1965. Later, he retired from the field of medicine to manage his wife’s career.

Gordon passed away in 2010 and is survived by his wife and his daughter.