6. Picasso Married a 27 Year Old At Age 79
Picasso was apparently a fan of May-December romances, as many of his lovers were much younger than him. However, there was perhaps no greater age gap than that between Picasso and his second, and final, wife Jacqueline Roque. He was 79 when he married the young divorcee of only 27 years. They married in 1961. Roque is said to have served as his greatest muse, with Picasso producing more art during their marriage than at any other point.
Roque dedicated her life to being Picasso’s muse and was jealous and possessive of his time and affection. Picasso continued to take other lovers and mistresses, but she would not allow any to enter her home once that relationship became clear. His last wife was very cold to Picasso’s children from his previous marriage. She banned both of his children from his first marriage from attending his funeral.
Roque also turned away Picasso’s grandchildren connected to his first marriage, including his grandson Pablito who took his own life shortly after his stepgrandmother’s rejection. Roque was the last in a long line of women who seemed to bleed themselves dry by catering to Picasso. Roque herself died by suicide 13 years after Picasso’s death.