Surprised, shocked and even disappointed, the "Ms" feminists of America struggled on Wednesday to come to terms with the sudden wedding of their high priestess, Gloria Steinem.
Steinem, credited with the line "a woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle," which became the rallying call for the 1970s women's liberation movement, was herself pretty amazed at becoming a first-time bride at the age of 66.
"Though I've worked many years to make marriage more equal, I never expected to take advantage of it myself," Steinem said in a statement announcing her weekend marriage to South African-born entrepreneur David Bale, 61, who is the father of actor Christian Bale. "I'm happy, surprised, and one day will write about it, but for now I hope this proves what feminists have always said -- that feminism is about the ability to choose what's right at each time of our lives," Steinem said.
But coming after years of heated feminist debate over whether marriage was merely a necessary evil or a form of prostitution, her decision drew fire as well as congratulations.
"Gloria Steinem's marriage is proof positive of the emotional desperation of ageing feminists who for over 30 years worshipped the steely career woman and callously trashed stay-at-home moms," outspoken feminist Camille Paglia said. Steinem, who had previously derided marriage as an institution that destroys relationships, said she had married for love.
When posed the inevitable question, why now, she said:
"We are at an age when marriage can be chosen and not expected. Marriage is also much more equal now under the law."
Steinem's attraction to men had never been in doubt. The glamorous face of American feminism who co-founded Ms. magazine in 1972, her past companions included a string of handsome and wealthy admirers.
Once dubbed the "mini-skirted pin up girl of the intelligentsia" she reassured her sisters in the movement that eschewing men or femininity was not a prerequisite for women's lib.
But she carefully avoided marriage. Only four years ago, she said her interest in sex had waned. Wednesday's online bulletin boards of Ms Magazine buzzed with incredulity.
"This is really sort of shocking to me, and apparently to the rest of the country," wrote "MsTeek", adding gamely "whatever makes her happy."
Amid the stunned cries of "Bravo" lay the mixed feelings of contributors like "Heart."
"I can't deny that I feel a little disappointed. Something about Gloria's refusal to get married encouraged and inspired me in a really deep and meaningful way, even though here I sit, married as the day is long," she wrote.
Steinem's followers should take heart, however, in the fact that Sunday's wedding ceremony at the Oklahoma home of former Cherokee leader Wilma Mankiller substituted the word "partners" for "husband and wife".
The couple, who met in October 1999, plan to divide their time between New York, and Los Angeles.