A timeline of Leonard Bernstein's complicated relationship with his wife, Felicia Montealegre

Libby TorresJan 16, 2024, 09:51 IST

Felicia Montealegre and Leonard Bernstein in 1959.Lee/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre's relationship is depicted in the Netflix film "Maestro."
The couple first met in 1946, and married in 1951. They later had three children.

Renowned conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein and actor Felicia Montealegre had a complex relationship that lasted for decades, and their relationship is at the center of Bradley Cooper's new film, "Maestro," which depicts Bernstein's (Cooper) struggles to balance his marriage to Montealegre (Carey Mulligan) with his bisexuality as he navigates his career.

So what was Bernstein and Montealegre's relationship like in real life, and did "Maestro" depict it accurately? Here's a complete timeline.

1946: Bernstein and Montealegre meet a party, and get engaged later that year.

Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre at Tanglewood in 1946.Erika Stone/Getty Images

1951: Bernstein and Montealegre get married.

Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre in 1955.Carlo Bavagnoli/Mondadori via Getty Images

Late 1951 or early 1952: Montealegre outlines their marital agreement in a letter to Bernstein.

Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre in 1956.Bettmann / Contributor

1951 - 1976: The couple focuses on raising their family while balancing their careers.

Leonard Bernstein, Felicia Montealegre, and their children Jamie and Alexander in 1957. Bettmann/Getty Images

1976: Montealegre gives Bernstein an ultimatum.

Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre in 1966.Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

1976: Montealegre is diagnosed with lung cancer.

Felicia Montealegre and Leonard Bernstein in 1977.Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

1978: Montealegre dies, with Bernstein still taking care of her.

Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre in 1977.Darleen Rubin/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images

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