Strictly Come Dancing Star Alex Kingston Shares Emotional Past of Marital Turmoil
Alex Kingston, the celebrated actress known for her role as River Song in Doctor Who and her recent appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, has opened up about the devastating end of her first marriage to actor Ralph Fiennes. The 62-year-old star revealed the deep pain she experienced after discovering her husband's affair with a co-star, shedding light on a turbulent chapter in her romantic history.
A Flourishing Career Amid Personal Struggles
Kingston has captivated audiences with her performances across both British and American television, including roles in ER, Arrow, and A Discovery of Witches. Her portrayal of River Song in Doctor Who during the eras of David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Peter Capaldi earned her a dedicated fan base. Despite her professional success, her personal life faced significant challenges, particularly in her marriage to Fiennes.
The Breakdown of a Marriage
Alex Kingston and Ralph Fiennes first met while studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1983 and married a decade later in 1993. However, their relationship unraveled when Fiennes began an affair with actress Francesca Annis, who was 18 years his senior. The affair developed in 1995 while they were performing together in Hamlet at Hackney Empire, with Annis playing Gertrude to Fiennes' Hamlet.
Reflecting on their marriage, Kingston admitted, "We were like strangers – very fragile. His mother was dying and somehow we thought the wedding was going to heal everything. But that was crazy, of course." The infidelity led to their divorce, with Fiennes leaving Kingston for Annis, who was 50 at the time compared to his 32.
Emotional Aftermath and Healing
In a candid interview with the Daily Mail, Kingston disclosed the profound impact of the divorce, confessing, "I was feeling worthless, that I would never find anyone else as good as my husband, which is ridiculous, but I had so little self-esteem." She added that the experience was awful but shaped who she is today, stating, "Divorce is awful but it is also something I don't regret happening to me because it has shaped who I am now." The actress revealed that the betrayal led her to contemplate suicide, highlighting the depth of her emotional distress.
Moving Forward and Finding Happiness
After her divorce from Fiennes, Kingston married German writer Florian Haertel in 2001, with whom she had a daughter, Salome, before divorcing in 2009. She has since found stability and joy with her current husband, television presenter Jonathan Stamp, marrying him in Italy in 2015. Meanwhile, Fiennes and Annis maintained a relationship from 1997 to 2006, with Annis dismissing concerns about their age gap, saying, "Of course I don't spend days agonising over the age difference. How can I? There is nothing I can do about it." Their split was confirmed amid allegations of infidelity involving Romanian singer Corneila Crisan.
Alex Kingston's story underscores the resilience required to overcome personal heartbreak, as she continues to thrive in her career and personal life, inspiring fans with her honesty and strength.
