Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson shares the surprising story of Donald Trump asking her out on a date after her divorce. Find out the intriguing details behind this encounter and how it shaped her life.
Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson recently shared a surprising and amusing story from her past. During her appearance at the 78th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on August 9, she revealed that Donald Trump once asked her out on a date. But there’s a twist — both of them had just ended their marriages at the time.
An Unexpected Phone Call
It all started on the day Emma Thompson’s divorce from her ex-husband, Kenneth Branagh, was finalized. Emma was on set, filming the 1998 comedy-drama Primary Colors, when she received an unexpected call. To her surprise, it was none other than Donald Trump on the line.
Kenneth Branagh’s thoroughly 90’s retelling of Frankenstein (with Robert De Niro as the creature and Helena Bonham Carter as his doomed bride) screens on Sunday at 12:00https://t.co/haQ67uAbBS pic.twitter.com/5PXL6EbKIF
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Kenneth Branagh’s upcoming drama #Belfast will be released theatrically on Nov. 12 https://t.co/47CFWrqCLc
— Variety (@Variety) March 18, 2021
Emma recalled the conversation with a chuckle: “He said, ‘Hello, this is Donald Trump.’ I thought it was a prank call and asked, ‘How can I help you?’” She was confused, wondering why he would contact her. Little did she know, it was the day her divorce had officially gone through.
Helena Bonham Carter will always understand the assignment pic.twitter.com/DkHBBq5waO
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In honour of her birthday, let’s revisit Emma Thompson’s legendary acceptance speech for SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. ✨ pic.twitter.com/o1qhDAFMey
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) April 15, 2020
Reflecting on it, she added, “I bet he had people looking for a nice divorcee to take out. And there I was, freshly single!” Emma joked that he must have gotten her number from her trailer, calling it “stalking” in jest.
A Missed Date with Destiny
Despite the strange circumstances, Emma admitted that she could have gone on a date with Trump. She even joked, “I could have changed the course of American history!” The whole encounter certainly would have made for an unforgettable story, but alas, it never happened.
The year following their encounter, in 1999, Donald Trump finalized his divorce from Marla Maples, while Emma was still recovering from her own heartbreak. At the time, Emma was also coping with the aftermath of her marriage ending due to her husband’s affair with actress Helena Bonham Carter.
The Scandal That Shaped Emma’s Life
Emma’s marriage to Kenneth Branagh, which had lasted for several years, ended after she discovered his infidelity with Helena, his co-star from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The affair devastated Emma, and she opened up about the emotional toll it took on her.
“I was utterly blind to the fact that he had relationships with other women on set,” Emma shared in a candid interview. She admitted feeling humiliated and questioned her own worth for a time.
Kenneth and Helena’s relationship was kept under wraps for years before it became public. They eventually married in 2003 after a period of secrecy. However, Emma and Helena have since reconciled and moved past the emotional struggles that once strained their relationships.
Life After the Drama
Time heals, and all three have gone on to lead fulfilling lives with their respective partners. Emma found love again with actor Greg Wise, whom she met while filming Sense and Sensibility. They married in 2003 and now have two children. Kenneth married film art director Lindsay Brunnock in 2003, while Helena enjoyed a long relationship with director Tim Burton before dating Rye Dag Holmboe.
Despite the ups and downs of their past, all three have managed to navigate life’s challenges and continue to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
