In 1975, a renowned musician had a chance encounter with iconic actress Goldie Hawn, both at the height of their fame. They crossed paths on a first-class flight from New York to Los Angeles, and the connection between them was instant.
The musician, a member of The Hudson Brothers, was already well-known, having performed alongside bands like The Beach Boys, The Osmonds, and The Monkees. He was also recognized for his roles in films and TV shows, including the cult classic Hysterical. Reflecting on their first meeting, he recalled, “The attraction was immediate. I invited her to dinner that night, and that was it.” Their relationship progressed quickly, with physical intimacy playing a significant role. “The chemistry was electric, even when other parts of the relationship began to sour,” he added.
In 1976, the couple married when Goldie was pregnant with their first child, a son. However, their son’s birth came with complications. Born at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, he was diagnosed with meconium aspiration, a life-threatening condition where a newborn inhales amniotic fluid mixed with meconium.
The musician remembered the experience vividly: “Goldie and I were beside ourselves. She was very sick, and I’d shuttle between her bedside and the neonatal intensive care unit. The doctors didn’t think our son would survive, but he pulled through. From that moment, he was our miracle.”
Three years later, in 1979, the couple welcomed a daughter, completing their family of four. Despite a few happy years, the marriage eventually unraveled in 1981 when the musician discovered Goldie had been unfaithful. He longed for a traditional marriage, which clashed with Goldie’s views on commitment. “On our wedding night, she told me she wanted an open marriage, that she couldn’t imagine being faithful to one man for the rest of her life,” he revealed. “I wanted a conventional marriage, but Goldie couldn’t settle. Eventually, I moved out.”
After their split, Goldie began dating actor Kurt Russell in 1983. They had first met in 1968 while filming The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, but their romantic relationship blossomed years later on the set of Swing Shift. Their son, Wyatt Russell, was born in 1986, three years into their relationship.
Blending their families presented its challenges. Goldie’s daughter recalled: “It was a big moment for me because my mom was madly in love with this guy. Meeting his son, Boston, made me wonder, ‘Does this mean he’s my brother now?’ It was a lot to handle at such a young age.”
Goldie’s children from her previous marriage struggled with feelings of abandonment after their parents’ divorce. Her son recalled how their biological father, Bill, gradually distanced himself from the family. Reflecting on a Father’s Day post he dedicated to Kurt, he said, “It doesn’t matter which of these men is my biological father. My ‘pa’ stepped in when I was six and made me who I am today.”
Kate and Oliver, Goldie’s children, have fond memories of Kurt taking on the role of father figure, even as their relationship with Bill remained strained. Bill has expressed feelings of betrayal, accusing Goldie of “poisoning” the children against him. In 2015, this strained relationship became public when Oliver posted a controversial Father’s Day message on social media, captioning a throwback picture of him, Kate, and Bill with: “Happy abandonment day… @katehudson.”
Bill, outraged by the post, expressed his frustration in an interview: “Oliver could have called me, but he didn’t. This was a premeditated attack, choosing to post that photo on Father’s Day to cause maximum pain.” Bill went on to claim that if Oliver’s intention was to sever ties, he had succeeded. Tensions only grew when Kate followed suit, posting her own tribute to Kurt.
In response, Bill said, “I’d ask them to stop using the Hudson name because they are no longer part of my life.” He added that Oliver’s post was a “malicious, vicious attack” and that he was “mourning the loss” of his children even though they were still alive. After the incident, Bill reportedly removed all memorabilia of Kate and Oliver from his home.
Despite the ongoing estrangement with Bill, Kurt Russell has embraced his role as a grandfather to Kate and Oliver’s children. While Bill continues to harbor resentment, Kate and Oliver have moved forward, focusing on the close bond they’ve built with their stepfather, Kurt.
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