Esperanza Baur: The Life and Legacy of John Wayne's Second Wife

Early Life and Career

Esperanza Baur Díaz, born Esperanza Díaz Ceballos on July 17, 1920, in Mexico City, Mexico, was a talented actress known for her roles in films such as "Guadalajara" (1937), "La Valentina" (1938), and "The Count of."

Marriage to John Wayne

Wayne first met Baur while filming "The Hurricane" in Mexico in 1937. They married in 1946, becoming John Wayne's second wife. The couple's affectionate nickname for each other was "Chata," meaning "shorty."

Sudden Death

Tragically, Baur's life was cut short on March 10, 1961, at the age of 40. The cause of her death was an aortic aneurysm. Wayne was devastated by her loss.