Leonard Bernstein’s biopic “Maestro” was released a month back on Nov. 22, 2023, and is now available on Netflix. The movie, having dropped on the streaming platform just yesterday (Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023), has sparked numerous conversations on the internet surrounding the master composer’s life, with the role being brilliantly played by Bradley Cooper. With the man having loved many, fans and media alike were naturally curious about his wife and kids.
Like most movies, “Maestro” had a mix of fact and fiction, mostly staying true to Leonard Bernstein’s life. The film touches upon his complicated relationship with his wife and all the extramarital affairs he had while still being married to her. Bernstein tied the knot with Felicia Montealegre in 1951, and the couple stayed together till her death in 1978 (via Esquire).
While the actress admitted in a letter that was later published that their marriage was “a bloody mess,” the pair stayed together for the entirety of 25 years and shared three children. Montealegre was well aware of Leonard Bernstein’s sexual orientation and clarified in the letter that she had never regretted marrying him.
In a 2010 interview with The Times, his youngest daughter recounted, “My mother was a fairly conventional lady and so she expected to be treated like one. The deal was that he would be discreet and that she would maintain her dignity” (via HuffPost).
Leonard Bernstein had two daughters and a son
Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre had three kids together. Their eldest, Jamie Bernstein, was born in New York on Sept. 8, 1952. She is 71 years old and has followed in her dad’s footsteps to become a musical composer. She is also an “author, narrator, director, broadcaster, and filmmaker” (via Jamie Bernstein’s website).
The couple’s son, Alexander Bernstein, was born three years later on July 7, 1955, in New York. He is currently 68 years old and followed his mom’s footsteps instead and went on to become an actor. He is best known for his work in “Daniel” (1983), “Tinder and Grinder” (2014), and “The Making of ‘West Side Story'” (1985) (via IMDb).
Leonard Bernstein’s youngest, Nina Maria Felicia Bernstein, was born seven years after Alexander on Feb. 28, 1962, also in New York. She is 61 years old and has dabbled in music and acting. However, since 2008, she has worked hard as a food educator in underserved communities (via Leonard Bernstein’s website).
