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Celebrities

Meet Michael Bergin, the former Calvin Klein model who dated Carolyn Bessette, as told in Love Story

STORYSumnima Kandangwa
Michael Bergin wrote a book about his relationship with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who went on to marry JFK Jr. Photos: Getty Images, @therealmichaelbergin/Instagram
Michael Bergin wrote a book about his relationship with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who went on to marry JFK Jr. Photos: Getty Images, @therealmichaelbergin/Instagram
Fame and celebrity

Ryan Murphy’s new series Love Story shines a spotlight on the romance between Bessette and JFK Jr – but what about her Baywatch actor ex?

Ryan Murphy’s new limited series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette chronicles the tragic romance of JFK Jr. (played by Paul Kelly) and the Calvin Klein publicist (played by Sarah Pidgeon) from their meeting in 1992 to their whirlwind romance.

The series goes into their intimate nuptials and eventual death in 1999, when a plane piloted by JFK Jr crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing him, Bessette and her sister Lauren Bessette. The show premiered earlier this month on February 12, and was inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

Carolyn Bessette was married to JFK Jr before their tragic death. Photo: @allforcarolyn/Instagram
Carolyn Bessette was married to JFK Jr before their tragic death. Photo: @allforcarolyn/Instagram
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JFK Jr and Bessette’s love story has long captivated the world – but before the American prince, Bessette dated Calvin Klein model and former Baywatch star Michael Bergin. Bergin, played by actor Noah Fearnley in Murphy’s series, published a book in 2004, citing that he had been involved in an affair with Bessette while she was married to JFK Jr.

But who is Michael Bergin and where is he now?

Michael Bergin is a former model and actor

Baywatch cast members Brooke Burns and Michael Bergin jog down the beach at Waikiki, in 1999. Photo: AP
Baywatch cast members Brooke Burns and Michael Bergin jog down the beach at Waikiki, in 1999. Photo: AP
Bergin was born in March 1969 and is a Connecticut native. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1992 and went on to pursue a career in modelling. He is best known for starring in Calvin Klein’s underwear campaign, first fronted by Mark Wahlberg.
He went on to walk down runways for brands like Valentino, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Laurent. Eventually, he ventured into acting, landing a role as J.D. Darius on the hit TV show Baywatch (1989).

His romance and alleged affair with Bessette

The Other Man: John F. Kennedy Jr, Carolyn Bessette, and Me book was written by Michael Bergin. Photo: Handout
The Other Man: John F. Kennedy Jr, Carolyn Bessette, and Me book was written by Michael Bergin. Photo: Handout
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