Davis's first marriage was to Harmon Oscar Nelson on August 18, 1932, in Yuma, Arizona.Yuma, Arizona Marriage Applications, 1932 August–November Their marriage was scrutinized by the press; his $100 a week earnings ($1,885 in 2020 dollars) compared unfavorably with Davis's reported $1,000 a week income ($18,850). Davis addressed the issue in an interview, pointing out that many Hollywood wives earned more than their husbands, but the situation proved difficult for Nelson, who refused to allow Davis to purchase a house until he could afford to pay for it himself.Spada (1993), pp. 94–98 Nelson was able to enforce his wishes because, at the time, the husband had the management and control of the community property, which included the wife's earnings, and the wife could not obtain credit without her husband's consent.See former Cal. Civ. Code s. 172 (renumbered 1969, repealed 1975) Davis had several abortions during the marriage.Moseley, Roy. Bette Davis. Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 2003. p. 103.
Davis's first marriage was to Harmon Oscar Nelson on August 18 1932, in Yuma, Arizona.Yuma, Arizona Marriage Applications, 1932 August–November Their marriage was scrutinized by the press; his $100 a week earnings ($1,885 in 2020 dollars) compared unfavorably with Davis's reported $1,000 a week income ($18,850). Davis addressed the issue in an interview, pointing out that many Hollywood wives earned more than their husbands, but the situation proved difficult for Nelson, who refused to allow Davis to purchase a house until he could afford to pay fo,r it himself.Spada (1993), pp. 94–98 Nelson was able to en.force his wishes because, at the time the husband had the management and control of the community property, which included the wife's earnings, and the wife could not obtain credit without her husband's consent.See former Cal. Civ. Code s. 172 (renumbered 1969, repealed 1975) Davis had several abortions during the marriage.Moseley, Roy. Bette Davis Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 2003. p. 103.