Burlesque star and gothic queen Dita Von Teese (whose real name is Heather Sweet) was briefly married to Marilyn Manson, although their actual relationship was much longer. Still, things ended abruptly, and she moved out of their shared home on Christmas Eve. Although she loved him, their marriage would not last, and the reason why has caused much speculation.
Rather than focus on their reasons for ending their relationship, what has Von Teese been up to since the divorce? Has she disappeared from the limelight, or has her career gone from strength to strength? We do know that she has no intention of ever getting married again…
What Happened Between Marilyn Manson And Dita Von Teese?
Burlesque star Dita Von Teese was married to Marilyn Manson (whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner) from 2005 until 2007. They had been together for five years before exchanging vows. Their wedding was nothing like traditional celebrity celebrations and was a gothic theme, with Von Teese ditching the classic white gown in favor of something much more striking; a purple dress.
Famed English designer Vivienne Westwood designed the dress. It was made from synthetic taffeta and is now on display for fashion fans to see at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The wedding took place in Von Teese's home and was a civil ceremony, The Mirror reports. They then traveled to Ireland for another celebration at Castle Gurteen de la Poer in Tipperary.
Although their marriage was short-lived, it was well-documented, and many people remarked that it was an unusual pairing. Von Teese was the one to file for divorce (The Mirror notes she moved out of their shared home in late 2006) and cited "irreconcilable differences." What those differences were, would be revealed in more detail at a later stage…
What Is Dita Von Teese Doing After Her Divorce From Marilyn Manson?
The problems in Dita Von Teese's marriage are reported to include substance abuse and infidelity. In 2007, Von Teese gave an interview to Harper's Bazaar where she discussed the marriage, revealing that she had initially believed she and Marilyn Manson were meant to be together and that the relationship would last. She also shut down rumors that they had an open relationship.
"I would not get married if I didn't believe in it," she said. "I've always believed in tradition. I think both of us did at the time."
She continued, "I've even had people come to me since, saying, 'Well, didn't you have an open relationship?' No! Never! We were completely monogamous. I think people thought we were real free and open, but we really believed in commitment and tradition and our vows. But sometimes people change their ideas, I suppose...."
Something happened between her and Manson to make her decide to leave the relationship, and she did so suddenly. But initially, she was reluctant to give more details about the reason.
"Let's just say that it must have been something pretty bad for me to move out of the house after six years together and to pack up my stuff on Christmas Eve," she said. "I loved him, and this was the most painful thing I have ever had to go through.
But how has her life changed since her 2007 divorce? Von Teese has shifted her attention to her work and continues to be incredibly successful, with an impressive fan following (over 2.7 million followers on Instagram alone). She has a film, Night of the Teese, and she appeared in Don't Worry Darling and in Taylor Swift's music video "Bejeweled." There is no denying Von Teese is a recognizable figure (some may even argue iconic), and she's in high demand. This includes her Glamonatrix Tour. She feels her work is important, empowering even.
"I think it's important for women to see examples of other women holding their power, embracing their sensuality at every age. It's not easy to describe or explain how something like striptease can be empowering… you just have to see it," she told Page Six."
Dita Von Teese has also made something clear; she has no intentions of getting married again (but she has been in new relationships). "I'm not thinking about [marriage] at all. I had a big obnoxious wedding and an obnoxious divorce and don't feel the need to do it again," she told Hello! Magazine. As for what she gets up to in her spare time:
"I surround myself with friends who are kind, love animals like I do and have a good sense of humor. And I adore my work, the joy, fun, and playfulness of burlesque fused with striptease. But Dita isn't my alter ego, she's me, the person I've always wanted to be."
What Has Dita Von Teese Said About Being Married To Marilyn Manson?
Several women who have dated Marilyn Manson have since made abuse claims against him, including his ex, Evan Rachel Wood (whom he was coupled with shortly after Dita Von Teese). Did Von Teese have the same experience with the musician? In 2021, she set the message straight by taking to social media (via Sky News).
"I have been processing the news that broke Monday regarding Marilyn Manson. To those who have expressed your concerns of my well-being, I appreciate your kindness," she shared.
"Please know that the details made public do not match my personal experience during our seven years together as a couple. Had they, I would not have married him in December 2005. I left 12 months later due to infidelity and drug abuse."
Manson has also spoken about his marriage, revealing it destroyed him. "I was completely destroyed. I had no soul left," he told Spin magazine (via People). "I define myself as a person, a human, an artist, as someone who makes things – writing, painting, music – and I couldn't do anything."
"It's the old cliche," he said. "Marriage changes everything." His comments suggest that he and Von Teese wanted very different things in their relationship.
"I realized that what's wrong about me is right. To play devil's advocate – but that doesn't really work, since I'm the devil – people would say that drugs and alcohol wrecked my marriage," Manson explained.
"But buyer beware, she said she had tolerated the lifestyle because she hoped I would change and threatened to leave if I didn't. I was sleeping on the couch in my own home. I was no longer supposed to be a rock star. I was someone who had to be apologized for. I wasn't prepared to be alone. I came out of this naked, a featherless bird."
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