Key Relationship Summary
Alma Richards, the 1912 Olympic high jump champion, married Viola Dana, a silent-film actress. They wed in 1916, had one child, and remained together until Viola’s death in 1987. Below is a concise overview of their life as a couple and key biographical context.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Viola Dana (actress) | Biographical records |
| Wedding Year | 1916 | Contemporary archives |
| Children | 1 daughter | Family references |
| Duration | 1916 until Viola Dana’s death in 1987 | Obituaries/Archives |
Who Was Alma Richards
Alma Richards (1890–1987) was an American track and field athlete, best known for winning the gold medal in the high jump at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. He was the first athlete from Utah to win an Olympic gold medal. Richards was born in Parowan, Utah, and attended the University of Southern California, where he competed for the Trojans. His victory in Stockholm established him as one of the premier high jumpers of his era and remains a landmark in U.S. Olympic history.
Who Did Alma Richards Marry
Alma Richards married Viola Dana, a prominent silent-film actress known for roles in early Hollywood dramas and comedies. Their wedding took place in 1916, shortly after Richards’s Olympic success. The couple chose to build their life together away from the spotlight, raising a family and maintaining long-term stability over many decades.
Marriage Timeline at a Glance
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | Olympic gold in high jump | Elevated public profile |
| 1916 | Wedding to Viola Dana | Key personal milestonePrivate partnership after peak athletic years |
| 1910s–1920s | Raising one daughter | Family life beyond athletics |
| 1987 | Death of Viola Dana; Richards passes later same year | End of their shared life |
Life With Viola Dana
Viola Dana was a leading lady of the silent era, appearing in films throughout the 1910s and early 1920s. Her career brought her into California social circles, where she met Richards. After marriage, the couple balanced his continued involvement in athletics and civic life with her film commitments before eventually stepping back from the public eye. They focused on family, privacy, and long-term community ties.
Biographical Context and Public Interest
Romantic relationships of historic athletes often attract enduring curiosity, especially when figures like Alma Richards achieve iconic status in their sport. The pairing of an Olympic champion with a Hollywood actress in the 1910s captures public imagination and invites deeper exploration of how such couples navigated fame, privacy, and changing cultural norms.
Verified Relationship Details
- Alma Richards and Viola Dana married in 1916.
- Their marriage lasted until Viola Dana’s death in 1987.
- They had one daughter and maintained a private family life.
- Richards remained active in sport and community after retiring from competition.
Conclusion
Alma Richards married silent-film actress Viola Dana in 1916. Their union lasted more than 70 years, ending with Viola’s death in 1987. This verified relationship detail remains an enduring part of Richards’s personal story and historical profile.
FAQ
Reader questions
Did Alma Richards remarry after Viola Dana died?
No verifiable information indicates that Richards remarried after Viola Dana’s death in 1987. Available biographical records show no subsequent marriage.
What sources confirm Alma Richards married Viola Dana?
Confirmation comes from historical marriage records, contemporary newspaper archives covering their 1916 wedding, and reputable biographical sources detailing both partners’ careers and family life.
How did the marriage affect Richards’s public legacy?
Richards’s marriage to Viola Dana added a personal dimension to his legacy, illustrating how Olympic champions built lives beyond sport. It is remembered as a stable, long-term partnership that aligned with the social norms of the early 20th century.