The Rise and Fall of Sandra Dee’s Stardom

The divorce from Bobby Darin deeply affected Sandra emotionally and coincided with the collapse of much of her Hollywood career momentum. By the late 1960s, the major starring roles that had once defined her fame were largely disappearing, leaving her increasingly isolated from the industry that had shaped her entire life.

Losing both her marriage and her professional identity at nearly the same time intensified her struggles with depression, alcoholism, and anorexia. Friends later described Sandra as emotionally exhausted and deeply insecure during these years. While she tried coping with the painful changes happening around her, another shocking revelation was about to dramatically affect Bobby Darin as well.