When Burt Reynolds died in 2018, millions of people around the world were devastated. In his latter days, the well-known actor, who was revered for his charisma and charm, battled greatly with his health.

Burt’s departure had a profound effect on Sally Field, his lover with whom he had shared both happy and difficult times over the years. Sally had remained mostly silent about their connection until Burt’s death, when she decided to speak up.

Burt Reynolds finally said that Sally Field was his only real love in all of his relationships. In an extraordinarily candid interview with Vanity Fair, he declared unequivocally that Sally Fields was the lady he would always remember.

Their love story was fraught with problems. Burt persevered in getting Sally included in “Smokey and the Bandit,” despite the filmmakers’ reservations at first because they didn’t think she was “sexy enough.” Burt’s continuous support ultimately helped her win the part.

Their on-screen connection was obvious, and their off-screen relationship grew. Sally discussed how Burt made her feel seductive and how she wished to fulfill all of his wishes. The well-known duo continued to collaborate in other films, including “Hooper” and “The End,” cementing their status as a Hollywood dream combination.

The media closely followed their nearly five-year engagement, making their love story a major issue for the broader public. Their 1980 choice to divorce ended what appeared to be a happily ever after.

However, their relationship was more intricate than most people realized. In her book, “In Pieces,” Sally Field revealed how the charming and multi-award winning actor Burt Reynolds manipulated her. She stated how his popularity became a tool for him to control her and everyone else around him. “Blindly, I fell into a rut that had long since formed in my road, a pre-programmed behavior as if I had made a soul-binding commitment to this man in the past,” she wrote.

What had begun as a beautiful love story had taken a dreadful turn for Sally. She got the feeling that Burt’s wants had taken over and she was no longer herself. Burt had offered marriage multiple times, but she had the impression that his heart wasn’t in it. Despite the fact that their relationship was far from perfect, Sally thought that continuing it would have been detrimental to both of them.

Following their divorce, both stars began dating other individuals. Burt, on the other hand, never forgot Sally Fields, and he admitted that he was probably largely to blame for their separation. “I miss her terribly,” he murmured, his heartbroken. It’s still challenging for me. I’m not sure why I was so stupid. Men are simply like that, you know. You look for the ideal companion, then you work hard to destroy the connection.

Although the details of their divorce were never made public, there have been claims that Burt had an affair, which was exceedingly embarrassing for Sally. She felt dumb after hearing these tales.

But after Burt died, Sally Fields decided to speak up and expose something that might have generated contradictory emotions. “There are times in your life that are so enduring that they never go away,” she told me. They are still around after forty years. I’ll never forget my years with Burt. He will always be a part of my past and my emotions for as long as I live. Rest well, dear friend.

Burt Reynolds died of a heart attack in 2018 at the age of 82, surrounded by his family.

In an interview with NPR, Sally, who is now 76 years old, has spoken openly about her real love for Burt and their friendship. “I’ve always thought of him rather nostalgically,” she said. He had a significant impact on my life for a limited period of time. I was only with him for about two years, and then only on and off for the next two. But it had a huge influence on my life and personal growth.

Sally also expressed relief that Burt died before she could publish her book since she believed there were elements of it that he would not have approved of. Their relationship was “confusing, complicated, and hurtful,” according to her.

Sally Fields and Burt were eventually granted a second opportunity at their unusual love. It’s reassuring to know that she still loves him and cherishes the memories they had together, wherever he is now.