Pilar Pallete: John Wayne’s Third Wife, 21 Years Younger, Married the Same Day His Divorce Was Finalized, But Not Included in His Will
Boomers and the Silent Generation might recall Pilar Pallete as the widow of the American icon John Wayne.
While the Duke’s fame was hard to miss, the Peruvian native wasn’t just a footnote to his story—and I’d love to tell you all about it.
Early Life and Career
Pilar Pallete, whose birthname is María del Pilar Pallete Alvarado, was born on September 3, 1928, in the small port town of Paita, Peru.
As the daughter of a prominent senator, her life seemed destined for the high society. But Pilar had other plans. She went into acting—a path less traveled by women of her status at the time.
However, Pilar’s film career was short-lived. She had starred in a local flick before appearing in several Hollywood documentaries about the storied life of his future husband, John Wayne.
Marriage
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Pilar Pallete and John Wayne’s love story could well have been a plot for a telenovela.
Fresh from a marriage to an American airline exec, Richard Weldy, Pilar bumped into John while he was in Peru for the war movie “The Alamo” in the early ’50s.
They met again in LA, where she was to dub a film. Shortly after, Pilar and John, 21 years her senior, tied the knot in Hawaii, and it was the same day Wayne’s divorce became final.
Family Life
Pilar paused her career to embrace her new roles: devoted wife to a legend and mom to Aissa, Ethan, and Marisa.
The Waynes were globetrotters, given the Duke’s hectic filming schedule. During quieter times, the couple enjoyed playing chess and reading to each other. Eventually, they settled into a more low-key life in Newport Beach in 1965.
So, what was it like being married to the larger-than-life Hollywood cowboy?
As the Hispanic beauty famously said, it was like “being married to the entire United States Marine Corps.”
But she stayed with him, even if that meant they spent more time apart than together. She was adamant that they never separated, having left their waterfront house in 1973, six years before John’s death.
Despite being left out of his will, Pilar was financially secure, thanks to a generous trust fund set up by the Hollywood legend.
Finding Love Again?
Pilar remarried twice after John Wayne’s passing, but neither relationship lasted. She realized she could never love another man like she loved John.
Instead, she poured her heart into painting. Her favorite subject? John Wayne, even though she claimed she was never good at painting the male form. Her artwork features mostly nature and beautiful women.
She also wrote the book “John Wayne: My Life With the Duke” in 1985.
Four Marriages Relationship Timeline
Jesse L. Upchurch (1998-2010): Pilar married Jesse L. Upchurch in November 1998. Their marriage lasted for 12 years until their divorce in 2010.
Stephan Steward (1984-1997): Pilar’s third marriage was to Stephan Steward in 1984. They were together for 13 years before divorcing in 1997.
John Wayne (1954-1979): Pilar married her second husband, John Wayne, on November 1, 1954. They were married for 25 years and had three children together before John’s passing on June 11, 1979.
Richard Weldy (1948-1953): Pilar’s first marriage was to Richard Weldy in 1948. Their marriage lasted five years, ending in divorce in 1953.
Where Is Pilar Pallete Now?
At 95, Pilar is sharp as ever. She spends most of her time in her art studio, where she keeps a vast collection of her paintings. Her work has been exhibited worldwide.
Wrapping Up
At 95, Pilar Pallete is a living link to one of Hollywood’s golden eras.
She might be best known as the third and last wife of John Wayne, following two other Latinas, but she’s a remarkable woman all on her own.
