In Like Flynt - Brief Article - Interview

Talk, Nov, 2001 by Holly Millea

The Hustler publisher vowed to love and cherish his wife, Liz Barrios--but he's not so sure about honor and obey.

HUSTLER PUBLISHER Larry Flynt, 58, married Liz Barrios, his 41-year-old former nurse, in 1998. Barrios now serves as vice president of administration for Flynt's empire and delights in the porn king's quiet, sensitive side. The couple live in Los Angeles.

Liz, what was your first impression of Larry?

Liz Barrios: I didn't know who Larry was when I met him. I took care of his medications, blood pressure, diet--simple things. He was not the person portrayed in articles. He was very quiet. I asked him once, "Are you the king of porno?" We both started laughing.

When did you know you were in love?

Larry Flynt: About the time she was getting fed up waiting for me to marry her.

Barrios: It was a little over a year before we first kissed. Larry is a very romantic man.

Did the fact that Larry had had four previous marriages worry you?

Barrios: Larry said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I don't see how anybody could not be in love with Larry. Those mossy green eyes... I see the Larry that most people wouldn't ever see. He's a sensitive man. I can tell right away when he's had a hard day or his feelings have been hurt.... When John Kennedy Jr. was missing and his plane went down, Larry was devastated. They became good friends through George. John invited us to the White House correspondents dinner. Larry was so touched and excited. When we sat down to dinner John said, "Was that your black Gulfstream I saw when I taxied in on the runway?" They always talked about their planes. I asked John where Carolyn was, and he said, "She's at the next table. We got in a fight before we left, because she insisted on flying commercial." Two months later they were dead.

Larry, how did you know Liz was the one for you?

Flynt: She gave up her career for me. She was very loyal and concerned with the business. Liz can be so kind and loving and generous when she wants to be. But when she gets mad at me it's pure hell. I'm ready to call a moving van.

Barrios: Larry, you're not telling her that you're Irish--you're stubborn. Your way or the highway. You can't tell Mr. Flynt anything!

Flynt: I've developed the ability to tune her out when she starts getting on my nerves.

Do you miss your swinging single days?

Flynt: In the '70s they had Plato's Retreat and the Four Seasons in New York--massive orgies. They were the kind of dreams that make life worth living. It was great.

Barrios: When Larry made his first million he went to a sex club to celebrate.

Flynt: I was a pretty wild guy. As we get older we all have the tendency to mature.

How's the sex now?

Flynt: We gave it up for Lent. [Laughs]

Barrios: Oh, Larry.

Larry, after being shot and paralyzed by a white supremacist in 1978, you had a penile implant...

Flynt: I'm limited in terms of position because I can't control my legs--so you can forget doggie-style. That's out the window.

Barrios: We have a full sex life.

Flynt: I would like for her to treat me more passionately than she does.

Barrios: Before we go to sleep we always kiss.

What's the key to a good marriage?

Barrios: Commitment, honesty, and having some kind of compromise. And you have to have chemistry, too.

Flynt: Love, commitment, honesty...

And monogamy?

Flynt: Monogamy is a bunch of crap. People can be in love and still wind up going for that forbidden fruit.

Barrios: When we said our vows, Larry left out the words honor and obey.

Flynt: I didn't want anything in there to keep me from fooling around. [Chuckles]

Are you monogamous, Liz?

Barrios: Yes. I love my husband.

Flynt: I try to be.