Meryl Streep and the Tragic Love Story Lived in Privacy
Meryl Streep, one of the most established movie stars in Hollywood, has always maintained a clear boundary between her professional life and her personal life. While her characters, applause, and awards are on full display for the world, her most intimate role as a woman, wife, mother, and grandmother is kept away from prying eyes. This was exemplified by the recent news of her separation from her husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, which came as a surprise to many.
Known for her remarkable talent and a record-breaking 21 Oscar nominations, Streep has always cherished her privacy. However, this dichotomy between her public and private life only adds to her enigmatic persona. Even during her rise to fame, Streep kept a tragic love story hidden from the world.
In 1976, at the age of 27, Streep met John Cazale, a talented character actor 14 years her senior. They were immediately attracted to each other and became inseparable. While Streep was just starting her career, Cazale was already a respected figure in the industry, known for his roles in critically acclaimed films such as “The Godfather” and “Dog Day Afternoon.”
Their relationship took a turn in 1977 when Cazale was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at the age of 41. Streep became his emotional support, standing by his side throughout his illness. While Cazale had to cancel all his professional commitments, Streep continued to work, never showing her anxiety or pain to her colleagues.
During this difficult time, Al Pacino took on the responsibility of taking Cazale to radiation treatments, and Robert De Niro fought to secure his hiring in the film “The Deer Hunter,” despite the high insurance costs due to Cazale’s illness. Streep also appeared in the film, despite not liking her character, as she wanted to be by Cazale’s side in his final months.
Streep’s dedication and unwavering support for Cazale were evident. She put her career on hold to be with him and took on acting projects to cover their mounting medical expenses. One such project was the miniseries “Holocaust,” which required Streep to spend two and a half months in Austria, filming in a real concentration camp. She described it as feeling like being in prison while dealing with her personal tragedy.
After Cazale’s passing in 1978, Streep took time to grieve and reflect. Interestingly, this period coincided with the beginning of her professional success. She won an Emmy Award for her role in “Holocaust” and received her first Oscar nomination for “The Deer Hunter.”
Although she experienced personal sorrow, Streep would find love again. Fate led her to stay with a friend in Canada after Cazale’s death, and upon her return to New York, she discovered that the owner of the loft she was renting had sublet it to someone else—Don Gummer. Gummer and Streep would go on to marry and have four children together, celebrating 45 years of marriage before their recent separation.
Meryl Streep’s tragic love story, lived in privacy, showcases her ability to maintain a firm divide between her public and personal life. As one of the most respected and celebrated actresses in Hollywood, she continues to captivate audiences on screen while fiercely guarding her private world.