Was Frida Kahlo gay or bisexual?

• Was Frida Kahlo gay?
• Her life was filled with tragedy.
• She was open about her sexuality.

Many people consider Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón one of the greatest Mexican painters of all time.

Born in Coyoacán, in Mexico City, on July 6, 1907, she created 159 works throughout her life, most of which are self-portraits.

In these paintings, the wife of renowned painter and muralist Diego Rivera depicted the many difficulties she overcame.

To this day, many fine art lovers wonder if Frida Kahlo was gay.

She had relationships with men and women

It is known that Frida Kahlo’s marriage to Diego Rivera did not prevent her from being attracted to both men and women.

It was no secret that the artist had several lesbian encounters, but she was not spared from being judged by the society of that time.

According to La Cara de Eva, it is unknown whether her dalliances were a response to her husband’s infidelity.

Another theory suggests that she did fall in love with certain women. But, was Frida Kahlo gay?

Frida Kahlo’s female lovers

It has been said that Frida Kahlo’s relationships with women had several things in common.

They were distinguished by artistic exploration and experimentation, sisterhood and more.

Her rumored lovers include Jacqueline Lamba, wife of the writer and poet André Breton, and painter Georgia O’Keeffe.

According to  UNAM Global, Diego Rivera’s wife explored her sexuality, gender identity and femininity with other women.

The painter sought refuge in others’ arms

As mentioned earlier, Diego Rivera was unfaithful to Frida Kahlo on several occasions, even with her younger sister, Christina.

For this reason, the painter took her revenge by pursuing other prominent men of the time.

These men include Isamu Noguchi, Heinz Berggruen and Nickolas Muray. She was also linked to Leon Trotsky, a Russian politician and revolutionary.

It is worth noting that Kahlo’s relationship with Trotsky was never confirmed. He was assassinated by a Soviet agent in 1940.

Did Frida Kahlo have a romance with Chavela Vargas?

In addition to Jacqueline Lamba and Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo had other lesbian relationships, some with very well-known figures.

She was said to have relationships with Tina Modotti, Josephine Baker and the singer Chavela Vargas, who lived in her and Diego’s house for a while.

This was rumored to be her deepest lesbian relationship, although it was never made public and few people knew about it.

Both women expressed their devotion to each other through letters. The artist wrote to Chavela in one of them: «I live for Diego and for you. Nothing more.»

Was Frida Kahlo gay or bisexual? Draw your own conclusions

Issuu describes Frida Kahlo as «an unapologetic bisexual woman.» Just like that.

She was able to transform her pain into art. In total, she underwent 32 surgeries after a devastating bus accident left her crippled. Ultimately one of her legs had to be amputated.

She attempted suicide several times to the profound depression she suffered. Her life was not easy. Not at all.

On July 13, 1954, at the age of 47, this great artist died of bronchopneumonia.