Dusty Springfield's husband was discussed throughout the singer's life as the public often speculated about her sexuality. Still, a source close to the Brit revealed that her lesbian identity and romantic endeavors were parts of Dusty Springfields's life she preferred to keep private.

Following her death in the 1990s, Dusty Springfield has been regarded as a queer icon. However, the late singer was often uncomfortable when she was plagued with questions about her love life and her sexuality, and it was rumored to have been the cause behind her relocation to the United States.

The singer was never publicly married to a man or had heterosexual relationships. Instead, she had multiple romances with women. However, her love life was not without problems, as she was in a volatile relationship with one of her partners.

Dusty Springfield on the set of the TV show "Thank Your Lucky Stars" circa 1966 in Birmingham, England. | Source: Getty Images

Dusty Springfield Was Afraid People Learning about Her Queer Sexuality Would Ruin Her Career

Springfield rose to fame in the '60s for her signature husky voice and soulful sound. However, her career path was not always smooth sailing, as she often faced questions about her love life.

The British press would hound the singer about never having a husband or a boyfriend, and Jean Westwood, one of her first backing singers, said:

"She was a very private person. She was terrified if it came out, it would ruin her career, and her fans would leave, so she refused to talk about it."

A portrait of Dusty Springfield from 1965. | Source: Getty Images

Dusty Springfield's Bravery to Talk about Her Queer Identity Came at a Cost

When Springfield shot to fame, it was during a time that was less accepting than how. However, during an interview with Ray Connolly in 1970, she mustered the courage to discuss her true identity.

"A lot of people say that I'm bent, and I've heard it so many times that I've almost learned to accept it. I know I'm perfectly capable of being swayed by a girl as by a boy. More and more, people feel that way and I don't see why I shouldn't," the singer said.

According to Springfields's hairdresser, John Adams, the late singer liked being dominated by her lesbian lovers.

However, the singer's bravery came at a cost, as her career took a hit throughout the '70s, and she did not have a hit for nearly 20 years. Now, she joins Elton John, Sam Smith, and Demi Lovato on the list of musicians representing the LGBTQ community. "I think Dusty became a gay icon because of the extreme artificiality and formality of her persona," Camille Paglia, cultural critic, said.

A portrait of Dusty Springfield from 1965. | Source: Getty Images

Dusty Springfield's Relationships with Her Lesbian Partners

While Springfield was never in a heterosexual relationship publicly, according to reports, she had several romantic relationships with women in Canada and America, including an on-again-off-again romance with Faye Harris.

She was also in a violent relationship with fellow artist Norma Tanega, whom she lived with in a domestic partnership. According to Springfields's hairdresser John Adams, the late singer liked being dominated by her lesbian lovers.

And Adams recalled multiple phone calls where Springfield and Tanega would allege the other was trying to kill them. He added that Springfield had flings with different women while she was on the road, and the singer unofficially married American actress Teda Bracci in 1983.

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