Jacqueline Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis marked 55 years since their controversial wedding, a union that stirred global outrage and contributed to the devastation of Maria Callas.
The nuptials occurred on October 20, 1968, at a small chapel in Panavitsa on the private island of Skorpios owned by the Greek billionaire. Despite being an intimate affair with only 40 guests, the union of the 39-year-old widow of the assassinated American president and the 61-year-old shipowner made headlines worldwide.
The bride donned a short ivory Valentino dress with an orange blossom tiara, adhering to Orthodox tradition.
Onassis, rising from a window cleaner in Argentina to one of the world's wealthiest men, portrayed an image of triumph. His marital history included a union with Tina Livanos, a notable Greek shipowner's daughter, with whom he had two children, Alexander and Cristina. Notoriously unfaithful, Onassis initiated an affair in 1959 with the renowned Greek soprano Maria Callas during a Mediterranean cruise. Their liaison, shrouded in infidelity, unfolded publicly when Callas announced her divorce after the ship docked in Monte Carlo.
Maria Callas, initially an unremarkable figure, transformed herself into a refined woman to captivate her affluent lover. The relationship, fueled by Onassis's ambition and Callas's deep infatuation, gradually waned, as he viewed women merely as trophies to be acquired. In the aftermath, Callas's emotional distress became apparent.
Jackie Kennedy's encounter with Onassis occurred in August 1963, while she was still the American first lady. A cruise on Onassis's yacht became a refuge for Jackie after the death of her third son, Patrick. The shipowner declined to include Callas on the voyage, deeming it inappropriate to mix the wife of the powerful American president with the woman he considered only a lover.
The friendship between Jackie and Onassis blossomed during the cruise but did not progress further at that time. However, circumstances changed dramatically in November when President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, turning Jackie into the world's most admired widow. The ambitious Onassis, perceiving an opportunity, vowed to make her his next wife. Another tragedy struck for Jackie with the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968, prompting her to seek economic and physical security in a relationship with Onassis.
The union between Jackie and Onassis caused widespread disappointment in North America, incurred the Vatican's wrath due to Kennedy's Catholicism, and triggered general disdain. It was evident that the marriage was not based on love but mutual interest, illustrated by the peculiar prenuptial contract they signed. This contract reportedly contained clauses such as separate sleeping arrangements and her ability to travel independently without spousal consent, with the obligation only to spend summers and family holidays together. Maria Callas, upon learning of her lover's new relationship through the press, experienced such distress that she attempted suicide.
