In the mid-20th century, some Americans[1] traveled to Mexico to obtain a "Mexican divorce".[2] A divorce in Mexico was easier, quicker, and less expensive than a divorce in most U.S. states, which then only allowed at-fault divorces requiring extensive proof and lengthy court review. Celebrities who obtained a Mexican divorce include Elizabeth Montgomery (from Gig Young), Johnny Carson, Katharine Hepburn, Richard Burton, William S. Burroughs, Elizabeth Taylor (from Eddie Fisher), Marilyn Monroe (from Arthur Miller), Don Hewitt, Helen Kane, Marcia Clark, Charlie Chaplin (from Paulette Goddard), Jayne Mansfield (from Mickey Hargitay), Stanley Kubrick, Jill St. John (from Jack Jones), and Tom T. Chamales.
It was often referred to as a quickie (sometimes spelled quicky) Mexican divorce.