Based on the account presented on Vormir, yes, the Mad Titan Thanos did genuinely love Gamora.
Understanding Thanos's Feelings for Gamora
The emotional core of the scene on Vormir, where Thanos sought the Soul Stone, provides crucial insight into his feelings. To acquire the Soul Stone, a soul for a soul must be sacrificed – specifically, the soul of the one you love most.
According to the Red Skull, the guardian of the Soul Stone:
- He observed Thanos's true intentions on the cliff's edge.
- He informed Gamora that Thanos was, in fact, weeping for Gamora, as he truly loved her as a daughter, and was heartbroken that he had to sacrifice her to get the Soul Stone.
This perspective from the Red Skull, who was bound to the stone and understood the requirement, indicates that Thanos's tears were a genuine expression of grief over sacrificing the person he loved most to achieve his ultimate goal.
Gamora's Perspective
It's important to note that Gamora herself found this difficult to believe. The reference states that, even after hearing Red Skull's explanation, Disbelieving, Gamora could not comprehend that Thanos ever showed genuine love for her. This highlights the complex and often brutal nature of their relationship, where Thanos's actions frequently overshadowed any outward display of affection from Gamora's point of view.
The Sacrifice
The very act required to obtain the Soul Stone serves as a stark, albeit tragic, testament to Thanos's love, as interpreted by the cosmic forces and entities associated with the stone, such as the Red Skull. He had to give up the life of the one he loved most in the universe – Gamora – to fulfill his mission of balancing the universe. While his methods were horrific, the necessity of sacrificing her specifically for the Soul Stone implies she held that singular position in his heart, according to the stone's requirement.
Summary of Perspectives
| Entity/Character | Stance on Thanos's Love for Gamora | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Red Skull | Affirms Thanos truly loved her as a daughter. | Observed his tears and stated intentions. |
| Gamora | Disbelieves he ever showed genuine love for her. | Based on her life experiences with him. |
| Soul Stone | Requires sacrifice of the one loved most to acquire. | The inherent rule governing its acquisition. |
Despite Gamora's personal disbelief stemming from their traumatic past, the narrative presented through Red Skull and the very mechanics of obtaining the Soul Stone strongly suggest that, in his own twisted way, Thanos did genuinely love Gamora.
