Their love was considered forbidden in 1952 — but Pearl Bailey and Louie Bellson refused to let the world decide who they could marry. Just four days after meeting, they made a decision nobody saw coming… ❤️
They had known each other for just four days when they decided to get married.
It was 1952, and Pearl Bailey was already a celebrated Black singer and actress. Louie Bellson was a white jazz drummer who had been playing with Duke Ellington’s orchestra.
Their romance moved incredibly fast. They met in London, and just four days later, they were husband and wife.
But there was another reason their wedding made headlines.
Interracial marriage was still deeply controversial in America, and interracial marriages were still illegal in several states. Pearl and Louie knew their wedding could attract unwanted attention, so they chose to marry in London, hoping their relationship would be received more warmly there.
It still caused a stir.
