I'd marry again if I found a man who had fifteen million dollars, would sign over half to me, and guarantee that he'd be dead within a year.

The quote, "I'd marry again if I found a man who had fifteen million dollars, would sign over half to me, and guarantee that he'd be dead within a year," comes from Bette Davis, an American actress known for her sharp wit and strong personality. Davis was one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood's Golden Age, and this quote exemplifies her trademark sarcasm and humor. It's a biting commentary on the nature of relationships, wealth, and her own personal experiences with marriage.

In this statement, Davis humorously exaggerates her disillusionment with marriage. The figure of fifteen million dollars and the condition that the husband would be dead within a year suggest that, for Davis, a second marriage would only be worth it if it were financially advantageous and short-lived. It speaks to her frustration with the institution of marriage and, possibly, with her previous relationships, particularly given her complex and sometimes tumultuous personal life.

Davis had been married four times and often expressed dissatisfaction with the constraints of traditional relationships. This quote, while exaggerated, reflects her belief that women, especially those with independence and career success, should not be bound by conventional expectations about marriage and love. She uses humor to distance herself from the conventional notion of romantic relationships, turning them into something that could only be worth considering for material gain.

At its core, the quote reveals Davis’s cynicism about marriage, especially as it was often linked to financial stability and gender roles in the mid-20th century. While it’s comedic, it’s also a reflection of the power dynamics in relationships, particularly how women like Davis, who were financially independent and professionally successful, were still expected to fit into a traditional mold. This remark is a perfect example of how Davis used humor and irony to challenge societal expectations and express her views on life, love, and marriage.