Celebrating the Life and Loves of LGBTQ+ Icon Frida Kahlo Emma Powys Maurice - PinkNews
go to original July 7, 2023

On the corner of Morelos and Pípila streets in Vallarta, you will find this mural of Frida Kahlo, by local artist Qvetzal. (@qvtzl)

The life of Frida Kahlo has become stuff of legend. Born in 1907, the inspiring painter is often described as a surrealist or magical realist, a force of nature who used her art and style to pursue questions of identity, post-colonialism, gender, race and class well ahead of her time.

Her legacy is long and complex, but in today’s popular culture she’s best known for her fierce pride in her Mexican heritage, her distinctive self-portraits, her trailblazing gender non-conformity and her passionate love affairs.

Throughout her artistic career Frida Kahlo expertly wove her sexuality into her work as she explored themes of infertility and sexual pleasure, as well as her tumultuous relationship with her husband, the celebrated muralist Diego Rivera.

But Diego was far from her only romantic interest. In her short but eventful 47 years of life, Frida Kahlo would have a number of colorful affairs with men and women, including the movie stars Dolores del Rio, Paulette Goddard and Maria Felix, among others.

Here's a look at some of her big loves...

Diego Rivera



Frida Kahlo pictured with Diego Rivera in 1939. (Getty)

Arguably the most central figure in Frida Kahlo’s life was her fellow artist Diego Rivera, to whom she was married, divorced and then married again.

Together they were two of the most important artists of the 20th century, but their relationship was complex and volatile, filled with passions and resentments, adoration and pain.

20 years older than Kahlo, Rivera encouraged his wife’s romantic relationships with women, and although he was often jealous of her male partners Kahlo didn’t let that stand in her way. They both had several extramarital affairs, Rivera having one with Frida’s sister.

Their tempestuous marriage is open to interpretation through Kahlo’s many works, some more favorable than others. And though Rivera would ultimately remarry after her death, it is telling that his final wish was for their ashes be mixed.

Dolores del Rio



Portrait of actress Dolores del Rio from in a film still, circa 1920. (Moviepix/Getty)

The enchanting Hollywood starlet was friends with both Kahlo and Rivera, and was originally counted among Rivera’s lovers.

Kahlo’s husband once proclaimed himself to be “totally in love with her, just like forty million Mexicans and one hundred and twenty million Americans who couldn’t be wrong.” This didn’t stop Kahlo herself from getting close to her. She had a history of befriending and charming her husband’s girlfriends, and del Rio was rumored to be no different.

In 1939 Kahlo presented the star with a painting that, given its subject matter, suggests they had a very close relationship indeed. Entitled Two Nudes in a Forest, the painting features two naked women – and the fairer of the two, who’s resting on the other’s lap, just slightly resembles del Rio.

Read the rest at PinkNews

Related: Bucerías: Home of the Sculpture “El Buzo” (Vallarta Lifestyles)

  Learn about Instituto Vallartense de Cultura

  Learn about Oficina de Proyectos Culturales

  Learn about ART VallARTa Museo Artists’ Registry

  Learn about Factory of the Arts San Pancho

  Learn about LILHA Artist Residency

  Learn about PVShares Foundation

  Learn about TiLT - A Tracy Lee Stum Museum

  Learn about Matanchen Bay Cultural Center