Bobby Darin & Sandra Dee's Love Story — The Singer Asked to Try Again on His Deathbed

Hollywood legends Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee once had one of the sweetest relationships in Hollywood, or so it appeared from the outside. Their son once disclosed the hidden details of their love story.

Before his demise in 1973, legendary actor Bobby Darin recognized that his first wife, Sandra Dee was his one true love. Although the realization came a little too late, not even death could keep them apart.

Dee once confirmed that their love story progressed even after Darin’s death, with the latter paying her visits posthumously. Here is a dive into Sandra Dee and Bobby’s tumultuous romance, which continued after death.

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A WALK THROUGH THEIR RELATIONSHIP

Once Hollywood’s most desired beauty, the former teen star, who ventured into the spotlights at 12, captured many hearts with her stunning beauty and charm. However, none was more captivated than the iconic actor Bobby Darin. The two hit it off while co-starring on “Come September.”

Darin once opened up about their first meeting, where he instantly became entranced by her. He reportedly vowed to marry her during their first meeting, but his guts only turned off the then-18-year-old, who resorted to ignoring him on set.

Dee eventually accepted a carriage date with Darin because her mom, Mary Zuck, warned her to be cordial with her co-star. They quickly fell in love following the first date, with Dee realizing his swagger wasn’t as terrible as she thought.

Aged 16 and 24, respectively, Dee and Darin got engaged, to her mom’s dismay. Despite her mom’s resistance, the lovebirds eloped in December 1960, with Dee later confirming she was scared to death on her wedding day.

A year later, the duo welcomed son Dodd Darin. By the mid-sixties, Dee’s acting and modeling career began to crumble, as did her marriage. In 1967, the two divorced, with Darin moving on to a new partner Andrea Yeager. His second marriage ended in 1973.

STAYING THROUGH POST-BREAKUP

Darin and Dee remained true to each other despite their separation, maintaining a blissful relationship as soulmates. The actress once admitted she and her ex-husband lived together even after their divorce.

Even as he battled a heart ailment in 1973, the star stayed by his bedside, offering her love and support. Author Dee Cameron, an acquaintance of both legends, revealed they remained in love with each other long after their divorce and even planned to give their romance a second chance.

Sadly, their second attempt at love was short-lived, as Darin succumbed to heart failure following an unsuccessful open-heart surgery. He was 37.

DEE’S LIFE AFTER DARIN’S DEATH

Dee, who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her stepdad Eugene Douvan throughout her childhood, developed anxiety as the years progressed. Coupled with her eating disorder which she developed as a preteen, her life always seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.

During her marriage to Darin, she picked up other vices like alcoholism and gambling, leading her on a downward spiral. Her condition worsened after her ex-husband’s demise, as she kept falling deeper into those vices. Eventually, her intense anxiety, anorexia, and alcoholism left the actress depressed.

In his book, “Dream Lovers: The Magnificent Shattered Lives of Bobby Darin And Sandra Dee,” Dodd revealed his mom focused on raising him alone after Darin’s death, proving herself a loving mom.

However, her personal demons (alcohol and anorexia) remained her constant companion even as her son matured into an adult and started his own family.

Dodd explained how his mom, who ended up becoming a real estate agent to make a living, always felt incomplete and empty after losing her image as a Hollywood idol. He explained:

“In her mind, unless she was Sandra Dee, who had a major career and had things going, she was nothing and absolutely nobody. That’s how she feels about herself.”

Dee eventually quit alcohol after being diagnosed with kidney failure in 2000. The condition claimed her life five years later.

LOVE AFTER DEATH

Professional psychic John Cohan once revealed eerie details about Dee’s ailments. Following her diagnosis of kidney failure, the mental health expert opened up about his fears that Dee could be on the verge of suicide.

She spent her final years at home alone with her personal live-in maid, Sonya. Yet, the former teen beauty often enjoyed someone else's company, seeming to be present in the home.

Cohan revealed Dee spent hours having conversations with her long-dead ex-husband as if he were present. Making it more bizarre, she revealed Darin often visited her and engaged her in conversations. Cohan considered her admission as an unhealthy sign.

DEE'S SON’S WEDDING

Despite her close ties with her only son, Dee missed his wedding in 1993, which caused a media stir. Dodd once explained the reasons behind her decision, saying she was frightened by the idea of meeting and dining with her new in-laws.

The explanation seemed unconvincing, as Dee grew up in showbiz and spent her life meeting strangers and addressing millions on stage.