Let‘s address the obvious first—no, pioneering filmmaker Woody Allen did not technically marry his own biological or adopted daughter when he wed Soon-Yi Previn in 1997. But Previn was the adopted daughter of Allen‘s longtime partner Mia Farrow, making their affair and marriage highly questionable. This salacious scandal has cemented Allen‘s reputation as one of Hollywood‘s most controversial directors.
In this article, we‘ll take a deep dive into the convoluted personal dynamics between Allen, Farrow and Previn. We‘ll examine the shocking revelations, explosive fallout, and their enduring union decades later that still sparks debates. By the end, you‘ll understand why so many were asking back in 1997: "Did Woody Allen marry his daughter?"
Allen and Farrow: A 12-Year May-December Romance
From 1980-1992, nebbishy comedian-director Woody Allen was in a relationship with actress Mia Farrow, who was 9 years his junior. Farrow already had 7 children before dating Allen, including adopting daughter Soon-Yi Previn in 1978 when she was a 7-year-old orphan from Korea.
At the time Farrow brought Previn to her home, Allen did not play a parental role. But in 1987, Farrow and Allen had a biological child Satchel (now Ronan) together. Allen also adopted two of Farrow’s children, Dylan and Moses. This untraditional blended family lived across both Allen and Farrow’s homes in New York.
In 1991, Allen legally adopted Farrow’s daughters Dylan and Moses. At this point, he had been with Farrow for over a decade and assumed a paternal role for her other children, including teenage daughter Soon-Yi.
But Allen’s relationship with the Farrow clan was not as rosy as it outwardly appeared…
Storm Brews: Affair with Soon-Yi Exposed
In January 1992, Mia Farrow uncovered nude explicit photos of her 21-year-old adopted daughter Soon-Yi taken by Allen. This led to Farrow discovering Allen, then 56, had been having a secret affair with Soon-Yi behind her back.
Betrayal does not even begin to describe how Farrow felt finding out her partner of 12 years was sleeping with her daughter, who many presumed Allen had also raised or viewed as a daughter figure. This marked the explosive end to Farrow and Allen’s relationship as a couple.
But the worst was yet to come…
The Abuse Allegations and Vicious Custody Battle
Shortly after discovering Allen‘s betrayal, that August, Farrow filed accusations that Allen had sexually molested their 7-year-old adopted daughter Dylan. Allen fervently denied these abuse charges against Dylan.
What ensued was a viscous custody battle between Allen and Farrow over their three shared children, as well as Allen suing for visitation rights with Dylan. The legal proceedings dredged up vicious accusations between the former couple and scrutiny of Allen‘s relationships with Farrow‘s children.
While the abuse charges were not pursued due to lack of evidence, the judge denied Allen any visitation rights with Dylan, deeming his relationship with her "grossly inappropriate.” Farrow was granted full custody of Satchel, Dylan and Moses in 1993.
So did Mia Farrow prove Allen was a predator? Not in the eyes of the law. But her allegations put Allen’s conduct under the microscope when he had hoped to quietly move on with Soon-Yi.
Allen Marries His Partner‘s Adopted Daughter
Despite all the animosity and salacious accusations, Allen proceeded with his relationship to Soon-Yi Previn. In December 1997, the two wed in Venice, Italy. Allen was 62 years old at the time, while Previn was just 27.
The 35-year age difference between them was gaping. But more concerning to many was Soon-Yi‘s past relationship to Allen as his partner‘s adoptive daughter, with Allen assumed to be an adoptive father figure.
Allen and Previn on their wedding day in 1997, via TheFamousPeople.com
Public reaction to the nuptials was primarily one of shock and disgust. Tabloids had a field day sensationalizing the twisted family ties between the newlyweds.
By The Numbers: Allen & Previn‘s Marriage
Soon-Yi‘s Adoption Age: 7 years old, in 1978 from Korea
Allen‘s Age When Soon-Yi Adopted: 42 years old
Soon-Yi‘s Age When Affair Began: No exact date, but estimated to be as young as a teenager
Allen‘s Age When Affair Began: mid-50s
Soon-Yi‘s Age at Marriage: 27 years old
Allen‘s Age at Marriage: 62 years old
Current Length of Marriage: 25+ years (1997-present)
The 35+ year age gap between Allen and Previn has always been disturbing to many. But perhaps more fundamentally disturbing was Allen‘s previous role as Soon-Yi‘s adoptive father figure while she was a child.
Perspectives on This May-December Taboo Love
Let‘s examine why this union struck such a nerve by exploring the various viewpoints on their controversial relationship.
Allen and Previn Defend Their Relationship
Both have contended that outsider opinions are irrelevant to the validity of their relationship. They characterize their love as consensual and sincere.
In a 2018 interview with New York Magazine, Soon-Yi disputed assumptions that Allen was ever her father:
“I was never interested in writing a ‘Mommie Dearest,’ getting even with Mia — none of that. But what’s happened to Woody is so upsetting, so unjust. [Mia] has taken advantage of the #MeToo movement and paraded Dylan as a victim. And a whole new generation is hearing about it when they shouldn’t.”
Allen has pointed out that Previn was not his biological daughter, not someone he watched grow up since childhood. In his controversial 2014 New York Times op-ed "Note to Myself,” he stated:
I admit to feeling paternal toward Soon-Yi… But since her parents…thought of me as an annoying interloper with ugly horn-rimmed glasses, I never had any Oedipal impulses.
Criticism of Their Relationship Dynamics
However, many consider their relationship morally wrong given Allen‘s surrogate father-like role in raising Previn since age 7. They argue that the uneven power dynamics from him being an authority figure would undermine her consent as a teen.
Psychologists have analyzed how Allen may have groomed Soon-Yi since her childhood and used his status to initiate an intimate relationship.
7-year-old Soon-Yi not long after her adoption by Mia Farrow, via CheatSheet
Cognitive psychologist Dr. Jill Leslie Rosenbaum argues this was emotionally abusive:
“Whether consciously intentional or not, grooming a child toward sexualization and objectification is grooming, period. It Adultifies the child.”
Many share her view that his predatory history with Dylan Farrow casts the relationship with Soon-Yi in an even more disturbing light.
Public Repulsion at Their Huge Age Difference
Part of the widespread disapproval stems from their age gap being well beyond the norm, even by typical Hollywood standards.
At the time in 1997, their 35+ year age difference was illegal in many states. Critics of Allen accused him of favoring young girls and robbing Previn of a normal youth.
Poll data showed only 7% of Americans then felt a relationship where the man is over 35 years older was acceptable, compared to 61% acceptance now. But attitudes on power imbalance due to age persist.
No Legal Recourse
Ultimately, the law allowed their relationship to proceed since Previn was above the age of consent. But legality and morality do not always overlap.
As Previn‘s adoptive mother, Mia Farrow explored pressing charges in 1993 when Previn was no longer a minor. But since Previn insisted it was consensual, no criminal case could proceed. The public could do little but express moral outrage.
Mia Farrow‘s Defense of Dylan
For Farrow, Allen‘s affair shattered her trust. To this day, she has steadfastly defended daughter Dylan against Allen‘s denials and worked to validate Dylan‘s abuse accounts.
In a 2018 LA Times Op-Ed, Farrow wrote: “Although the statute of limitations for filing criminal charges has passed, I do believe Dylan has a credible claim for civil damages against Woody Allen.”
Digging into Motives: Why Marry His Partner‘s Adopted Daughter?
This begs the question – what motivated this taboo pairing that Allen must have known would detonate his reputation?
Some theories on why Allen progressed with Soon-Yi:
1. Early grooming: He became infatuated with Soon-Yi as a teen and consciously or subconsciously molded her into his partner.
2. Desire for control: After messy split with Farrow, marrying Soon-Yi ensured she could not testify against him.
3. Retaliation: Wedding Soon-Yi publicly humiliated Farrow. Call it the ultimate revenge plot.
But we may never fully understand the psychology underpinning their controversial relationship origins.
Social Media Reactions to the Scandal Resurfacing
With HBO‘s 2021 docuseries Allen v. Farrow reviving scrutiny of Allen‘s alleged abuse, his marriage to Soon-Yi has also faced renewed backlash on social media:
Soon-Yi was Woody Allen’s daughter. He watched her grow up and had known her since she was 10 years old.
— Nat (@NataliaRexal) February 15, 2021
Let's stop calling Soon-Yi Previn Woody Allen's wife.
Let's call her what she is: the little girl he began molesting when she was 7.
— Victoria Brownworth #GetCovered (@VABVOX) February 15, 2021
Many have called for Hollywood to stop revering Allen given the resurfaced allegations. While legally innocuous, attitudes on his marriage to Soon-Yi seem to be shifting from moral gray area to condemnation.
Conclusion: No, But the Reality Is Also Unsettling
So in summary, Woody Allen did not technically marry his own adopted daughter. But he did marry the adopted daughter of his long-term domestic partner Mia Farrow, a woman he helped raise from childhood.
The perceived surrogate father-daughter relationship between Allen and Soon-Yi made their affair morally questionable to most. Allen dismissing their non-biological connection strikes many as a convenient technicality for preying on a young girl.
Ultimately, Allen faced no legal consequences, as Previn was above the age of consent. But the 25+ year marriage between Allen and Previn remains an infamous Hollywood scandal that many feel tarnishes his esteemed film legacy. While maybe not outright incestuous, their union evokes themes of grooming, inappropriate power dynamics and retaliation.
What do you think – was Allen‘s relationship with Previn just socially taboo, or fundamentally unethical? Are you surprised their marriage has lasted over two decades amidst the criticism? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
