Bonnie Bartlett Daniels and her husband William Daniels “never felt bound to fidelity” from the start of their 72-year marriage, according to Bonnie.
While promoting her new memoir, “Middle of the Rainbow,” the 93-year-old revealed the ups and downs of her relationship with the 95-year-old “Boy Meets World” actor.
Bartlett Daniels told Fox News Digital on Tuesday, “I suppose it was initially a bit of an open marriage, but that was extremely painful.” “That didn’t work well.”
She said, “And it was a time when people did that.” It was a moment in New York when there was a lot of sex and a lot of people doing all sorts of things; it was a really liberated time.
The “St. Elsewhere” actress, who wed Daniels in 1951, revealed she had a “short-lived affair” with a “slightly dull” actor in 1959.
She added, “I never felt guilty because I never felt bound by fidelity, and neither did Bill.”
In the 1970s, however, her husband’s affair with a producer left her “devastated” and dramatically altered the nature of their marriage.
At that moment, the actress realized she “could no longer tolerate any kind of open marriage,” and the couple took “small steps” to mend their shattered relationship.
“It was extremely painful for both of us,” she explained. However, it was something we had to experience because we had never before.
She said, “When we met, I was 18 years old.” Bill was my initial partner… We had to go through all of that, but despite that, we have always loved each other very strongly.”
The actress and “Boy Meets World” star have been married for 72 years.
“[We] have always supported one another. Respect them and what they’re doing, and be there for them… [You must be] united on the other side.”
»Wife of “Boy Meets World” actor William Daniels describes their “painful” “open marriage.”«