Marriage proposals of the rich and famous

The diamonds may be larger and the surroundings more lavish—or maybe not. The truth is, how the rich and famous propose isn't all that different from the way we mortals do. In 1921, George VI, the future King of England, was turned down four times by Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. The fifth time worked, they married, and she became the beloved Queen Mother.

Sigmund Freud was smitten with Martha Bernays the first time he laid eyes on her. But the famous psychiatrist couldn't quite bring himself to pop the question. Instead he wrote, asking permission to use the familiar German pronoun “du”—a signal that he wanted to move the relationship to another level. It was nearly five years later when they finally wed.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz met while making a movie together and began a stormy relationship. One day Lucy confided to a reporter all the reasons she would never marry Desi. He happened to be in the next room and overheard everything. When the reporter left, Desi walked in and announced to Lucy they'd be married the next morning. They were—with a ten-cent copper ring from Woolworth's, because no jewelry stores were open on Sunday. Lucy later had the band coated with platinum.

Take a look at how some other famous couples got engaged.

Famous Marriage Proposals:  Love at first sight.

Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger

Maria and Arnold met at the Robert F. Kennedy Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament. The two clicked immediately, and Maria invited Arnold to the family compound in Hyannis Port. While it may have been love at first sight, the couple dated for eight more years. Finally, while they were paddling around in the lake near Arnold's family home in Austria, he proposed.

Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Coretta Scott was in Boston studying to become a concert soloist when she met Martin Luther King, Jr. The occasion was a blind date, which she almost turned down, believing that a Baptist minister wouldn't be much fun. They discovered a common devotion to the civil rights movement, and Martin proposed on that first date. “You have everything I ever wanted in a wife,” he told her, “character, intelligence, personality and beauty.” Coretta switched her major to music education and accepted his proposal.

Famous Marriage Proposals:  The British Royal Family

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip

Queen Elizabeth—that model of regal reserve—was actually once a young romantic. Picture her in 1946, at the age of 20, out for a walk around Balmoral Castle with the dashing young Phillip. “It was wonderful, magical,” the future Queen reportedly said. “I just threw my arms round his neck and kissed him as he held me to him, my feet off the ground.” The couple kept the engagement a secret from all but a few people. Elizabeth's father found out when it was leaked to the press! Despite his anger, the King consented, and the wedding took place in 1947.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.

Prince Charles proposed to Lady Di in 1981. As Diana's biographer tells it, the conversation went something like this:

Charles: Will you marry me?

Diana (thinking this is a joke, laughs nervously): Yeah, OK.

Charles: Do you realize that one day you will be Queen?

Diana: Yes, I love you so much, I love you so much.

Charles: Whatever love means.

Diana claims she heard a little voice inside her during this conversation. It told her she would not become Queen, but that she would have a tough role. The couple divorced in 1996.

Famous Marriage Proposals:  Put it in writing.

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre

F. Scott Fitzgerald was 21 when he met Zelda Sayre, and it wasn't an auspicious beginning. Zelda enjoyed the company of many boyfriends. Her father thought Scott drank too much and couldn't support her with his job in advertising. Depressed, Scott went home to Minnesota and completed his first novel. It became an instant success. He sent Zelda his mother's engagement ring with a note: “Darling, I love you so much, much, much that it hurts every minute I'm without you. Goodbye, My own Wife.” The freewheeling Fitzgeralds eloped two days before their planned wedding ceremony.

Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy.

Jacqueline Bouvier met John F. Kennedy at a small dinner party. He was a young congressman from Massachusetts, she a reporter for the Washington Times Herald. They dated off and on for six months, separated by the travels that their work required. Jackie was in London covering the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II when a telegram from Jack arrived. It said, “Articles excellent but you are missed.” When she returned home, Jackie was greeted with a verbal proposal and a diamond and emerald ring.

Famous Marriage Proposals:  “If at first you don't succeed…”

Donna Reed and Grover Asmus

Donna Reed, the beautiful actress, met Grover Asmus in 1971. He fell head over heels in love. She apparently did not. Grover's proposal was declined, but he was undeterred. He proposed to Donna every day for the next three years. One day, he made his daily proposal in a restaurant. “Well,” she said, “you've finally worn me out. All right!” Grover was so stunned, he nearly fell off the chair.

Claudia “Lady Bird” Taylor and Lyndon Johnson.

Lyndon Johnson was a new congressman from a small Texas town when he met Lady Bird. The day after they met, Lyndon invited her for a drive and proposed marriage before bringing her home. Lady Bird wasn't ready to commit, but they kept in touch through phone calls and letters. Ten weeks later, Lyndon returned to Texas from Washington, and Lady Bird agreed to an engagement. But Lyndon was an impatient man. “Now or never,” he said. They were married that evening in San Antonio.

Famous marriage proposals that went no further

Marie Antoinette and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

In 1762, the child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was at the Austrian royal palace playing with the young princesses. When Mozart slipped on the marble floor, he burst into tears and was comforted by the seven-year-old Marie Antoinette. “You are nice,” he told the future Queen of France as he bestowed a kiss on her. “I will marry you.”

Casanova and Leonilda

The infamous womanizer Casanova met a comely 17-year-old girl named Leonilda and decided to marry her. The girl's mother, when introduced to the suitor, reportedly fainted. The reason? She'd had a liaison with the very same Casanova 18 years earlier, and Leonilda was his daughter.

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