Jean-Pierre et Maria
from Le Film Vecu de Jean-Pierre Aumont a supplement to Cinemonde Magazine 1950
Jean-Pierre and Maria
For those who believe in the power of numbers, Maria Montez and Jean-Pierre Aumont's love story will give them pause. Indeed, it seems
undeniable that fate has put the sentimental cycle of the two stars under the influence of the number 13. And as we all know, the number 13
is generally considered to have beneficial properties.
It's on February 13th 1943 that Jean-Pierre met Maria for the first time. They were engaged on March 13th of the same year, got
married on July 13th and were separated on September 13th, when Jean-Pierre was called back to North Africa to carry on the fight in the
ranks of the Free French Forces.
Even the birth of their child -almost- fell under the influence of the lucky number. Marie Christine was born... on February 14th 1946,
one day away from the magic number.
When Jean-Pierre Aumont left for the U.S. ten years ago, he was a bachelor. In France, the female movie goers bemoaned his departure
because, likeable and handsome, he was already then one of the most attractive leading men of our cinema. But Jean-Pierre had no trouble
winning the hearts of the American bobby soxers as well. His athletic good looks, his optimistic smile, the kind of irresistible frankness which
emanates from his being quickly made him one of the most popular of the French actors in Hollywood.
It's in that city, where he was making his first two American movies, that he met Maria Montez for the first time during a party at Lady
Mendl's. They were introduced to each other. They probably exchanged some vague and polite words, as is usual when you bring face to face
two well brought-up people who don't know each other.
The actual "love thunderbolt" only hit them some time later, thousands of kilometers away from California. What the shores of the Pacific
ocean couldn't inspire, those of the Hudson river succeeded in bringing about. So, it's in New York City, where he had gone to fulfil the
formalities of his enlistment in General de Gaulle's troups, that Jean-Pierre actually got to know Maria.
That night, he entered a restaurant and had the surprise of seeing sitting at the next table the already famous young actress who had been
introduced to him in Los Angeles. They chatted and took to each other immediately. And that was the beginning of their romance. These few
nights in February when they both were detained in the largest city in the United States, they spent going out together. Jean-Pierre took
Maria to the theatre. Together, they applauded Marcel Achard's "Le Corsaire" which takes place in Santo Domingo, Maria's homeland.
Perhaps this reminder of the past, which was also filled with memories for Jean-Pierre because this play surely brought back a nostalgia for
pre-war Paris, encouraged them to finally declare their passion?
At any rate, they decided to always remain together from then on. A few weeks later, they were engaged. And five months later, they were
married. Charles Boyer and Jeanine Crispin were Jean-Pierre's witnesses.
But the honeymoon didn't last long. Called back to North Africa, Jean-Pierre became an anonymous fighter for the next 20 months and
his brilliant conduct earned him two new palms for his 'croix de guerre' and the Legion of honor.
It's only when he came back to America, after peace was signed, that Jean-Pierre at last had the opportunity to meet some of his in-laws.
Maria Africa Gracia de Santo Silas, renamed Maria Montez for the movies, was the oldest in a family of... 10 children.
Born in Borahona, in the Republic of Santo Domingo where her father was minister of Spain, Maria has 4 sisters and 5 brothers.
The four sisters are called Adita, Consuelo, Lucita, and Teresita. Apart from Consuelo, who is living in America with her husband and two
children, the other three 'Montez" sisters have now followed their big sister in Paris. Teresita, who was a model in a famous couture house is
getting married soon. Lucita is the wife of journalist Jean Roy. Only Adita is still single.
Of his brother-in-laws, Jean-Pierre only met the eldest who is presently among the mobilized troups in Korea. The other four sons of
Isidoros de Santo Silas are still living in Barahona.
Marie-Christine Aumont who looks both like her mother and father has just turned five. Born in Beverly Hills, she spoke her first words in
English. But as she's been living for three years in France, she has gotten used to her father's language and it seems she has even forgotten
her English!
As for Maria, she had no difficulty learning French. She is actually truly gifted for languages and besides Spanish and French, she also
speaks English, Italian and German fluently.
Ever since she's been in France, Maria has become a true Parisian. And the two movies that she made in our country are proof that
producers would really be unforgivable if they didn't continue using so gracefully photogenic a talent from now on in our movie studios.
But perhaps Maria and Jean-Pierre, while they're living happily in Suresnes, won't want to give up completely the attractions of
Hollywood, despite their love for Paris?