‘A Secret Love’ – Pics
The Netflix documentary ‘A Secret Love’ tells the story of Terry Donahue and her wife Pat Henschel. The two women, who met in 1947, were lifelong partners who kept their romance a secret for more than six decades until they came out to their family and friends in 2009. Until that point they lived the lives of BFFs and roommates who kept the true nature of the relationship undercover. The documentary recounts their story and that of Terry, who was a member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the 1940s. Just like the ball players featured in the 1992 film ‘A League of Their Own,’ as a member of the Peoria Redwings she entertained crowds from 1946 to 1949. In 2015 on her 90th birthday she finally married the love of her life, Pat, in an assisted living facility that they had made their home. Terry died in March 2019 of Parkinson’s Disease. She was 93.
Terry Donahue
Shortly before she died in March 2019, Terry shared her remarkable story with her great-nephew Chris Bolan as part of the Netflix documentary ‘A Secret Love.’ The film premiered on the streaming service just over a year after her death at the age of 93.
Pat & Terry
Pat and Terry were closeted for most of their adult lives. They met in 1947 and – as shown in this early pic – portrayed themselves as BFFs and roommates at a time when homosexuality was illegal in the U.S.
Terry Tells Her Story
Terry told ‘A Secret Love’ filmmakers how she finally came out to her favorite niece Diana Bolan in 2009. Unable to keep her secret anymore, she revealed over dinner that she and Pat were actually partners.
Pat & Terry Pose For A Pic
Pat and Terry’s romance lasted 71 years, until Terry’s death in March 2019. ‘A Secret Love’ features a lifetime of photos of the two, many of which were taken while the true nature of their relationship remained a closely guarded secret.
Pat & Terry Discuss Moving
Part of ‘A Secret Love’ chronicles Pat and Terry’s life together as they move out of their Chicago home into an assisted living facility. This photo was taken as they discussed the next chapter of their lives.
Terry & Pat Wed
Terry and Pat got married on Terry’s 90th birthday in August 2015. In this sweet photo the couple share a kiss at their wedding reception. They finally made their relationship official after nearly 70 years together.
