Lucille Ball's Marriages and Husbands
Lucille Ball had two husbands. Her first husband was Desi Arnaz, a Cuban-born bandleader and actor. Her second husband was Gary Morton, a comedian and television producer. Both marriages ended in divorce. Ball did not remarry after Morton.
Ball and Arnaz married in 1940 and divorced in 1960. They co-founded Desilu Productions, which became a major television production company. Ball and Morton married in 1961 and remained married until her death in 1989. Their marriage lasted 28 years.
Desi Arnaz and the Desilu Years
Desi Arnaz was Ball's first husband and business partner. Together they created the sitcom I Love Lucy, which aired from 1951 to 1957. The show was produced by their company Desilu Productions. Arnaz also served as the orchestra leader on the program.
Desilu Productions produced several television series beyond I Love Lucy. The company was sold to Gulf+Western Industries in 1967. The sale helped transform Desilu into Paramount Television. Ball and Arnaz's professional collaboration continued after their divorce.
Gary Morton and Later Life
Gary Morton became Ball's second husband in 1961. He was a stand-up comedian and a friend of Ball's for years before they married. Morton helped Ball manage her business affairs during the later decades of her career.
Ball and Morton remained married until her death on April 26, 1989. Morton did not remarry after Ball's passing. He continued to manage her estate and remained involved with the production company legacy. Ball's two marriages are the definitive count of her husbands.