Oona O'Neil was born in Warwick Parish, Bermuda, to Eugene O'Neill, a renowned American playwright, and Agnes Boulton, an English-born socialite. Despite her father's busy schedule, Oona had a relatively happy childhood, albeit with limited interactions with him. As a teenager, she attended boarding school in New York, where she befriended notable individuals such as Gloria Vanderbilt and Carol Marcus. In 1941, Oona was recognized as one of the most sought-after débutantes of the social season.
It was only natural for Oona to pursue a career in acting, considering her lineage as the daughter of a playwright and the granddaughter of James O'Neill, a celebrated theater actor from the late 19th century. Oona's passion for acting was evident, and she felt an affinity for the craft.
In 1942, Oona traveled to Hollywood, where she met the legendary silent film actor Charles Chaplin at the home of her agent. Chaplin was immediately drawn to Oona's charm and talent, and he began courting her after she auditioned for a film he was directing. The couple eventually married in 1943, with Chaplin being 54 years old and Oona just 18.
Oona put her acting aspirations on hold to focus on raising a family with Chaplin, and the couple went on to have eight children together. Although Oona found contentment in her life, she struggled with the complicated relationship she had with her father, who disowned her and cut off communication when she married Chaplin.
During the height of the McCarthyism in 1952, Chaplin sailed to England to promote a film. En route, he learned that he would not be allowed to return to the United States unless he agreed to submit to inquiries regarding his morality. Chaplin refused to comply, and he and his family eventually settled in Vevey, Switzerland.
Oona spent the remainder of her life in Vevey, leaving only a few times after Chaplin's passing in 1977 at the age of 88. Oona was only 51 years old at the time of her father's death. She developed close relationships with several Hollywood icons, including actor Ryan O'Neal, but never remarried after Chaplin's passing.
Oona eventually succumbed to pancreatic cancer on September 27th, 1991, at the age of 51, in Vevey, Switzerland.
