Which Hemingway Wife Was the Paris Wife?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re a fan of Ernest Hemingway’s literary works, then you must have come across the term “Paris Wife” at least once. But who was the Paris Wife?

Was she Hadley Richardson or Pauline Pfeiffer? Let’s delve into the lives of these two women and find out which one was the Paris Wife.

The First Wife: Hadley Richardson

Hadley Richardson was Hemingway’s first wife. The couple met in Chicago in 1920 and got married the following year.

In 1921, they moved to Paris, where they lived in poverty but enjoyed the city’s bohemian lifestyle. It was during this time that Hemingway wrote some of his most famous works, including “The Sun Also Rises.”

During their time in Paris, Hadley and Hemingway formed a close relationship with other American expatriates, including Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald. However, their marriage began to deteriorate due to Hemingway’s infidelities and his growing fame.

In 1927, Hemingway divorced Hadley and married his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer.

The Second Wife: Pauline Pfeiffer

Pauline Pfeiffer was a wealthy socialite from Arkansas who worked as a fashion editor for Vogue magazine. She met Hemingway in Paris while he was still married to Hadley Richardson.

Hemingway and Pfeiffer began an affair while he was still married to Richardson. When Hemingway divorced Richardson in 1927, he immediately married Pfeiffer.

Hemingway and Pfeiffer had two children together and lived a glamorous life that included traveling around Europe and Africa. They also spent time with other famous writers such as John Dos Passos and Dorothy Parker.

However, their marriage also suffered due to Hemingway’s infidelities and his struggles with alcoholism. They divorced in 1940, and Hemingway went on to marry three more times.

The Paris Wife: Hadley Richardson

So, which of Hemingway’s wives was the Paris Wife? The answer is Hadley Richardson.

Hadley was Hemingway’s wife during his early years in Paris when he was still a struggling writer. She was also the inspiration for many of his works, including “The Sun Also Rises” and “A Moveable Feast.”

In “A Moveable Feast,” Hemingway wrote about his time in Paris with Hadley, describing her as “beautiful” and “innocent.” He also wrote about their struggles with poverty and their close relationships with other American expatriates.

In conclusion, the Paris Wife was none other than Hadley Richardson, Hemingway’s first wife. While their marriage may have been short-lived, their time together in Paris left an indelible mark on both of their lives and on literary history.