Nationwide — Malcolm X’s first great love was a white woman named Beatrice Caragulian Bazarian, nicknamed Bea. Before he married Betty Shabazz, Malcolm shared a passionate and defiant romance with Bea that unfolded in segregated 1940s America.
Bea, a blonde teenager with a love for tango, first met Malcolm at Boston’s Roseland State Ballroom in 1941, according to Face 2 Face Africa. He reportedly referred to her as “Sophia,” likely to protect her privacy and avoid confusion with his later wife, Betty Shabazz.
Their relationship lasted several years and included shared adventures, as well as a 1946 courtroom appearance for youthful misadventures. Their bond went beyond fleeting attraction, showing a love deeper than what many biographies have documented.
Their romance was bold for the era. Interracial relationships were rare and often condemned in 1940s America. Malcolm’s courtship of Bea reflected an early defiance of societal norms, hinting at the revolutionary path he would later take.
Bea also showed remarkable loyalty. When authorities arrested her alongside Malcolm, she refused to shift blame and accepted responsibility for her actions, showing the seriousness of her commitment.
After their separation, Bea lived a full life while carrying the memories of their youth. She married fellow dancer Mehran Martin Bazarian, spending 55 years together until his death in 1999. She passed away in 2012.
Even decades later, images and memories of Bea confirm the beauty and spirit Malcolm described in his book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley. Family and friends remember Bea as elegant, warm, and full of laughter.
While Malcolm later became a public figure and civil rights leader, Bea’s role in his life remained largely private. Their story remains a remarkable chapter in Malcolm X’s early life and a glimpse into a love that challenged the boundaries of its time.