Martha Gellhorn

Martha Gellhorn Historical Figure Nationality: United States Year of Birth: 1908 Year of Death: 1998 Cause of Death: Suicide by drug overdose Religion: Atheism, came from a Jewish background Occupation: Journalist, Author of Fiction Spouse: Ernest Hemingway (1940-1945; divorced) Fictional Appearances: "Cayos in the Stream" POD: c. July, 1942 Type of Appearance: Direct The War That Came Early POD: July 20, 1936; Relevant POD: September 29, 1938 Appearance(s): Two Fronts Type of Appearance: Contemporary reference

Martha Ellis Gellhorn (November 8, 1908 – February 15, 1998) was an American novelist, travel writer, and journalist, considered by the London Daily Telegraph, among others, to be one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century. She reported on virtually every major world conflict that took place during her 60-year career. Gellhorn was also the third wife of American novelist Ernest Hemingway, from 1940 to 1945, a marriage marked by resentment and conflict. At the age of 89, ill and almost completely blind, she committed suicide. The Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism is named after her.

Martha Gellhorn in "Cayos in the Stream"

It was due to his deteriorating marriage to his third wife Martha Gellhorn that Ernest Hemingway began sailing off the coast of Cuba in search of German U-boats in 1942. He actually found one, and crippled it, allowing the United States Navy to sink it.

Gellhorn taunted him for his immaturity the entire time he conducted his searches. When he returned from his triumphant tour of the United States, she confronted him again. After sharply worded barbs, Gellhorn announced that their marriage was over and that she was leaving.  

Martha Gellhorn in The War That Came Early

Martha Gellhorn had traveled to Spain with Ernest Hemingway. Chaim Weinberg and Mike Carroll discussed that fact and naively expressed envy for Hemingway and Gellhorn's married life in Cuba.