Norman Lear and Charlotte Rosen’s love story started fast. They got engaged after seeing each other less than a dozen times, as Norman shared in his memoir. They tied the knot in 1943, but their relationship had already been in motion since 1939 when they went on a hayride together. At the time, Norman was 17, and Charlotte was 18, working in a cosmetics shop.
The Marriage and the Struggles
A few years after their wedding, in 1947, they welcomed their daughter, Ellen Lear. For a while, things seemed fine, but cracks started to show.
Back in 1942, Norman had left college to join the Air Force during World War II. He served in Europe from 1942 to 1945. While he was away, their lives took different paths. Even after he returned, they realized they didn’t share many interests. Norman admitted in his memoir that he had been drawn to the idea of Charlotte more than Charlotte herself.
One of the biggest issues in their marriage came in the 1950s when Norman wanted to move to New York to advance his career. Charlotte, however, had no interest in leaving Los Angeles. According to Norman, she was seeing a therapist five times a week and felt staying in L.A. was important for her well-being. Even though he found them a “lovely” home in New York, she refused to relocate. Eventually, they lived separate lives, leading to their divorce in 1956.
Ellen’s Decision and Life After Divorce
After the split, their daughter Ellen, at 14 years old, chose to live with Norman and his new wife, Frances. Meanwhile, Charlotte remained in Los Angeles.
What Happened to Charlotte?
Not much is known about Charlotte’s life after the divorce. There are no public records or reports about where she lived or what she did. While Norman continued his rise in the entertainment industry, Charlotte stayed out of the spotlight, leaving the rest of her story a mystery.
