Bette Davis was a talented actress, but she had a strained relationship with her daughter, B.D. Hyman.
Bette Davis was an American actress known for her iconic performances in classic Hollywood films.
Davis was born on April 5, 1908, and starred in numerous hits, including All About Eve, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and Jezebel, and was married to Harmon Nelson and William Grant Sherry.
Her first marriage to Harmon Nelson in 1932 ended in divorce in 1938. In 1940, she wed Arthur Farnsworth, but tragedy struck three years later when he unexpectedly died from an undiagnosed head injury.
In 1945, she married artist William Grant Sherry, with whom she had a daughter, Barbara “B.D.” Hyman.
However, they divorced in 1950. Shortly after, Davis married actor Gary Merrill, just 25 days after her previous marriage ended. They had two children – daughter Margot (adopted) and son Michael Merrill – before divorcing in 1960.
Davis’s relationship with her daughter B.D. Hyman became publicly strained after the release of Hyman’s controversial memoir My Mother’s Keeper in 1985.
In the book, Hyman painted Davis as an emotionally abusive, alcoholic mother.
Although she did not accuse Davis of physical abuse, instead, she claims Davis was a battered wife and that her husband, Gary Merrill, was a violent alcoholic who inflicted physical abuse on her mother.
This portrayal devastated Davis, especially because the two had appeared close before the book’s publication. The rift between them was never mended, and they remained estranged until Davis’s death in 1989.
In her will, Davis intentionally omitted both of her daughters, B.D. and Margot, as well as her grandsons, from her nearly $1 million estate, reported Los Angeles Times.
She made it clear, stating: “I have intentionally and with full knowledge omitted to provide herein for my daughter, Margot, and my daughter, Barbara, and/or my grandsons, Ashley Hyman and Justin Hyman.”
Her son, Michael Merrill, remained close to her throughout her life and was left a portion of her estate, reportedly severed all contact with Barbara.
Meanwhile, Gary Davis addressed Hyman’s allegation in her memoir, saying: “Your book is a glaring lack of loyalty and thanks for the very privileged life I feel you have been given. If my memory serves me right, I’ve been your keeper all these many years.”
