Hollywood Star Kept His Secret Love Hidden for Decades – Now, His Legacy Lives On in Unexpected Ways.

Raymond Burr, a legendary actor, kept his personal life a mystery, crafting a web of lies to conceal his deep, forbidden love.

Raymond Burr, born on May 21, 1917, in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, achieved fame through a prolific Hollywood career, particularly for his iconic role in the TV drama Perry Mason. The demanding show took a significant toll on him, requiring long 15-hour workdays and early mornings, often leaving him to sleep in a bungalow on set to keep up with the grueling schedule.

Raymond Burr dedicated nine years of his life to starring in Perry Mason, but later reflected that much of that time felt wasted. He regretted not spending it differently, particularly missing out on having a family. Reflecting on this, he once shared his thoughts on the sacrifices he made.

Raymond Burr claimed to have tried building a family, stating he had been married three times, each ending in tragedy. He said his first wife died in a 1943 plane crash, and they had a son, Michael Burr, who tragically passed away from leukemia.

Raymond Burr claimed his second marriage ended in divorce after a few months, while his third wife, Laura Andrina Morgan, supposedly died of cancer before their honeymoon. However, after his death, it was revealed that these accounts were fabrications, except for his brief second marriage.
Raymond Burr’s personal life remained shrouded in mystery, with unclear details about his past wives and son. Over time, the media stopped pressing him for answers, as Burr consistently avoided discussing his private affairs and dismissed inquiries about his alleged marriages.

Raymond Burr’s refusal to discuss his alleged late wife and son only fueled public fascination with the story. Whenever reporters inquired, he would curtly reply, “I don’t discuss that,” which only added to the intrigue, making his personal life a key element of his enigmatic reputation.

Over time, the public largely accepted Raymond Burr’s tragic tale of a late wife and son, believing it was too painful for him to discuss. However, doubts emerged when his second wife, Isabella Ward, claimed she was unaware of any prior marriage. She insisted she was Burr’s first wife and said he never mentioned a previous wife or son during their brief marriage. Burr’s family also admitted they had never met the supposed wife or child. Ward candidly confessed her skepticism about these claims.

Raymond Burr claimed he remained unmarried due to his demanding 15-hour workdays, which made it difficult to find a partner willing to accept his grueling schedule. He often stayed at the studio for days, rarely making it home.

In 1993, as Burr faced terminal kidney cancer, the truth about his private life began to emerge. The stories he had shared about his past were revealed to be largely fabricated. While Burr had briefly been married to Isabella Ward, she admitted the relationship didn’t suit her. For Burr, the marriage served as a cover for his homosexuality, which he concealed to protect his career in a Hollywood that was unforgiving toward openly gay actors.

In his final days, Raymond Burr hosted lavish farewell parties at his California home, surrounded by his closest friends. He lived there with his long-time partner, Robert Benevides, with whom he had shared 35 years. The two met in 1959, thanks to the notorious Scotty Bowers, and had worked together on Perry Mason.

Benevides revealed that Bowers had introduced them, and they remained partners until Burr’s death. Rumors circulated that they quietly married in 1963. Benevides took care of the house and often knitted Burr sweaters by the fire. A close friend of the couple later spoke about their deep and enduring relationship, shedding light on the quiet, private life they led together.

After Raymond Burr’s death, the secrets he had kept for so long were finally revealed. He left everything he owned, including a vineyard, to his partner, Robert Benevides. Benevides took over the vineyard, continuing the work Burr had started. In the years following Burr’s passing, Benevides also opened up about their relationship, sharing details of their private life together.

Despite the revelations about Raymond Burr’s fabricated past, the public continued to admire him for his exceptional talent. His iconic TV shows, Perry Mason and Ironside, remained beloved classics, and he was praised for his performances in several Hitchcock films. Burr’s legacy as a skilled actor endured, overshadowing the controversies surrounding his personal life.

In addition to his acting career, Raymond Burr was known for his compassion and dedication to helping underprivileged young people. Over the years, he adopted several children from countries such as Italy, Greece, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Fiji, and India, providing them with the care and opportunities they needed to thrive. This humanitarian aspect of his life highlighted his generous spirit beyond the spotlight.

Raymond Burr took a hands-on approach to helping the children he adopted, often providing them with the financial means to become independent. One notable example was when he gave a Korean boy, Duk Hwa Lee, whose father had lost both legs, $132.41 to start a poultry business. Duk Hwa went on to succeed and maintained contact with Burr.

Burr believed in the potential of every child he helped, regularly writing to them and receiving updates about their lives. The children often sent him their report cards, proudly sharing their academic progress. In total, Burr adopted 27 children, visiting them and their families around the world. When he bought a home in Fiji, he brought six local children back to California, paying for their entrance exams and college tuition to support their futures.

Raymond Burr’s desire to help children grew after witnessing the extreme poverty in the countries he visited. He was deeply moved by seeing homeless people struggling to survive, which made him realize the impact he could have on the lives of those in need.

Burr became involved in charitable efforts and, through a friend, learned about the Foster Parents Plan, which allowed individuals to sponsor a child for just ten dollars a month. Sponsors could write letters to the children, which were translated and delivered. Over the years, Burr’s commitment to charity deepened, and he grew increasingly involved with the children he sponsored. When visiting their countries, he would often take the children and their families on shopping sprees, doing everything he could to provide them with opportunities and a better life.

Raymond Burr also supported his nieces and nephews, as well as over 30 children around the world through a private initiative. He used his fame to benefit children in need, always finding ways to help others. Despite his public persona, Burr lived his final years privately with Robert Benevides, sharing a home together, though their relationship was kept secret.

By this time, many people had already learned of Burr’s secret life, and Benevides decided it was time to be open about their relationship. The two frequently traveled together, visiting countries they both loved. Benevides shared in an interview that Burr had a particular fondness for Portugal, where they enjoyed tasting new wines and experiencing the world together.

In the interview, Robert Benevides discussed his plans for the vineyard after Raymond Burr’s death. He acknowledged that many had speculated whether he would sell the property, but he admitted he had no idea where he would go instead. Benevides expressed that the vineyard was a significant part of his life with Burr, and he wasn’t ready to part with it, reflecting on the deep connection he had with the place and his late partner.

In the interview, Robert Benevides expressed his deep attachment to the vineyard, saying, “I can’t imagine why I would sell and move to anywhere else because I love it here. Why would I go somewhere else?” He also shared that he had a small, old house in Praia do Almocharife, Faial, which he visits annually, but the vineyard was where he truly felt at home.

Benevides explained that the vineyard not only held sentimental value but also provided him with a livelihood. In his later years, he took on the responsibility of maintaining the property, keeping it operational, and producing wine to sell. He acknowledged that running the vineyard required constant effort, but he found it rewarding and fulfilling.

Raymond Burr and Robert Benevides were fortunate to spend Burr’s final days together on a farm in Sonoma County, California. The two shared a life of tending to the property until Burr’s battle with cancer took his life. After Burr’s passing, Benevides took over the farm, preserving the legacy of his partner by maintaining the things that Burr had loved, keeping their shared memories alive through the vineyard and the life they built together.

After Raymond Burr’s passing, Robert Benevides largely stayed out of the public eye, choosing the solitude of the farm and vineyard over the spotlight. It wasn’t until Scotty Bowers began revealing details about the private lives of gay actors in Hollywood that Benevides was contacted by a journalist seeking to verify Bowers’ claims.

At that point, many people were already aware of Burr’s secret life, and Benevides decided it was time to confirm the truth. He openly acknowledged his long-term relationship with Burr. While he couldn’t vouch for every detail in Bowers’ book, Benevides expressed his belief in Bowers’ honesty and character, supporting the broader truths about their private lives.

Robert Benevides is now enjoying his retirement after a lifetime of dedication to the vineyard. He shared that he made a promise to himself to travel every month, exploring new places and experiencing the world. Benevides resides on one of the two properties left to him by Raymond Burr, as he was the sole beneficiary of Burr’s estate.

In a notable move, Burr chose to leave his family out of his will, making Benevides the exclusive beneficiary. Although Burr’s family attempted to contest the will in an effort to claim part of his estate, the courts upheld Burr’s decision, ruling in favor of Benevides. As a result, Benevides became the sole trustee of Burr’s entire estate, continuing to manage the vineyard and his late partner’s legacy.