Harlene Rosen was once married to the famous filmmaker and comedian Woody Allen. But many people today don’t know much about her. Their story began when they were both very young. They got married before Woody became a big Hollywood name.
This article will tell the full story of Harlene Rosen. You’ll learn how she met Woody Allen, what their marriage was like, why things went wrong, and what happened after they broke up. It’s a quiet story that many forgot — but it’s an important part of Woody Allen’s early life.
Harlene Susan Rosen Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harlene Susan Rosen |
| Year of Birth | 1940 |
| Age (as of 2025) | Around 85 years old |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Famous As | Woody Allen’s first wife |
| Marriage Year | 1956 |
| Divorce Year | 1962 |
| Children | None |
| Known For | Defamation lawsuit and private lifestyle |
| Current Status | Alive and living privately (as of 2025) |
Harlene Rosen’s Early Life of Harlene Rosen
Harlene Rosen was born in 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in a Jewish family and followed the religion of Judaism. Her father’s name was Julius Rosen, but not much else is known about her family.
Harlene was smart and liked to stay quiet. She later went to college and studied philosophy, which means she liked deep thinking and reading. Even though she later became known for marrying a celebrity, Harlene lived a simple and private life before that.
How Harlene Met Woody Allen
Harlene met Woody Allen when they were both very young. They liked some of the same things, like music, books, and the arts. Woody had a jazz band at the time, and Harlene even played piano for him. They quickly became close.
In 1955, Woody proposed to Harlene. She was just 16 years old, and Woody was about 19. Even though they were both teenagers, they decided to get married the next year. Back then, it was more common for people to marry young.
A Young Marriage at 16
On March 15, 1956, Harlene Rosen and Woody Allen got married. Their wedding happened at the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel in Los Angeles, and a rabbi led the ceremony. Harlene was only 16 or 17 years old, and Woody was about 20.
Woody later said that he didn’t marry because of love. He admitted he mostly wanted to move out of his parents’ home and have more freedom. He also wanted a relationship, and marriage made that possible. Harlene may not have known this at the time.
What Their Marriage Was Like
Their marriage had problems right from the start. Even during their honeymoon, Woody’s friend Jack Victor said things seemed off. He got letters from Woody that showed the couple wasn’t getting along. There was no “honeymoon feeling” between them.
Woody later said he had a bad attitude in the marriage. He felt he was emotionally immature and didn’t treat Harlene with respect. They would argue often. Even though they had some things in common, like books and music, the connection didn’t last long.
Why the Marriage Fell Apart
The couple tried to make it work, but the problems kept growing. Woody and Harlene had different ways of thinking and different goals. Harlene was focused on college and learning, while Woody was still finding his path as a comedy writer.
By 1959, just three years after their wedding, they decided to separate. They were still very young and not ready for married life. They didn’t have any children. Their divorce was finalized in 1962, ending their six-year legal marriage.
Harlene Rosen Divorce and Alimony
After their separation, Harlene and Woody went through a divorce. A judge ordered Woody to pay $75 per week in alimony (support money). This amount would rise to $175 per week if Woody got a steady job.
At the start of their marriage, Woody was making only $25 per week. But later, he started earning much more — around $1,500 per week. He became more successful in comedy and writing. Even though Harlene never remarried, she got some support through this payment.
When the Jokes Went Too Far
After their divorce, Woody Allen started making jokes about Harlene in his comedy shows. He would talk about her in a funny but unkind way, even calling her “Quasimodo” during his nightclub acts.
These jokes weren’t just private or quiet — they were said on big stages and even on TV. Many people laughed, but for Harlene, it was painful. Imagine hearing jokes about yourself being told to the world — again and again.
Harlene Took Legal Action
In 1967, Harlene decided to speak up. She filed a lawsuit against Woody Allen and NBC. She said the things he was saying about her were hurtful and not okay. She didn’t want her name used in such a way anymore.
A judge agreed and gave her a temporary cease-and-desist order. That means Woody had to stop talking about her on TV and on stage. Later, in 1970, the case was settled outside of court, and both sides moved on quietly.
She Forgave Him Years Later
Even after all the pain, Harlene did something very kind many years later. In 2015, when Woody turned 80 years old, she sent him a special message through his biographer, David Evanier.
In the message, she called him “Wondrous Woody” and remembered the good times. She said he inspired her with his energy, creativity, and charm. She also shared how they both grew and learned from their time together, even though it was hard.
Where Is Harlene Rosen Now?
After the divorce and the court case, Harlene chose a quiet and peaceful life. She stayed away from interviews, cameras, and the media. She didn’t want to be in the spotlight.
As of 2025, Harlene Rosen is believed to be alive and around 85 years old. But no one knows where she lives exactly. She has not remarried and seems to enjoy a very private lifestyle, far away from Hollywood.
Woody Allen’s Life After Harlene
After Harlene, Woody Allen married again. In 1966, he married Louise Lasser, an actress who worked with him in several films. But that marriage also ended in divorce in 1970.
Later, Woody had a long relationship with actress Mia Farrow, and then married Soon-Yi Previn in 1997. That marriage brought controversy because Soon-Yi was Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter. Woody and Soon-Yi are still together today.
Final Thoughts
Harlene Rosen’s story is not loud or flashy. But it matters. She was Woody Allen’s first wife and part of his early life before he became a star. Their marriage shows how young love can be full of mistakes and lessons.
Even after being hurt, Harlene chose to forgive and move on quietly. She never chased fame. Instead, she chose peace, privacy, and a life away from the spotlight. Her story may be quiet — but it’s strong, and it’s real.
(FAQs)
When did Harlene Rosen marry Woody Allen?
She married Woody Allen on March 15, 1956, when she was around 16 or 17 years old, and he was about 19 or 20.
How long were they married?
They were married for about six years, from 1956 to 1962. They separated after three years but got legally divorced in 1962.
Did Harlene Rosen and Woody Allen have children?
No, they did not have any children together.
Why did Harlene Rosen and Woody Allen get divorced?
Their marriage had many problems. Woody later said he was immature and didn’t treat Harlene well. They also argued a lot.
Why did Harlene Rosen sue Woody Allen?
Woody made hurtful jokes about Harlene in his comedy shows. In 1967, she sued him and NBC for defamation.
More Explore:
Who Is Kristy Greenberg? The Legal Mind Behind Big Cases and TV Talks
Meet Stanley Sandler: The Man Who Raised a Comedy Legend
Who Was Arlene Litman? The Life of Lisa Bonet’s Loving Mother
