1929 starts to date married actress Billie Dove. He met her on the Starlight dance floor of the Biltmore Hotel in Hollywood.
January 2, 1930 Billie Dove divorces her husband, Irvin Willat, to be free for Hughes.
It was love at first sight between Howard and Bille and for the next few years they were one of the most talked-about couples in America. Dove's marriage was already coming to a close when they met, as was Hughes'. He arranged to pay off both spouses in exchange for uncontested divorces, freeing Hughes and Dove to marry. Why did they never marry? Theories point toward Hughes' philandering and his extreme jealousy that would eventually doom the relationship. Miss Dove kept all these letters below for more than 60 years. She obviously treasured them and her memories. Hughes spoke regularly and lovingly of Miss Dove for many years, often to the consternation of other lovers. Hughes truly loved the "American Beauty" and considered her his soul mate. Many of Hughes' friends have said that Billie Dove was the love of his life.