Life of Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 in the city of Los Angeles, CA. Her mother, Gladys was mentally unstable. Gladys was married to Martin Mortenson in 1924, but they separated in 1925 before Gladys became pregnant with Norma Jeane. Norma Jeane's father's identity is still unknown. Gladys put Norma into foster care, where she stayed until she was 7. Gladys bought a house in 1933 and took Norma to live with her, but then had a series of mental crises. Gladys's best friend, Grace, was appointed guardianship of Norma. After two years, Grace married and sent Norma to Los Angeles Orphan Home. Norma stayed in a series of foster homes before returning to live with Grace and her husband Doc. Upon her return, Doc allegedly tried to sexually assault Norma and she was sent away again.

This time, Grace sent her to live with her aunt, Ana Lower. Unfortunately, Ana's health was not well enough for Norma to stay with her, so Norma was forced to return to Grace and Doc in 1942. Grace and Doc moved soon after, but left Norma behind. During this time, Norma began a relationship with her neighbor, Jim Dougherty. After Grace and Doc moved, 16 year-old Norma Jeane married 21 year-old James. Two years after they were married, James was sent on an overseas assignment while Norma stayed in Los Angeles.

In 1946, he returned to find his wife pursuing a modeling/acting career, now donning the name Marilyn Monroe. Monroe no longer saw James as part of her future and the couple divorced. When asked about her marriage, Marilyn said, My marriage didn't make me sad, but it didn't make me happy either. My husband and I hardly spoke to each other. This wasn't because we were angry. We had nothing to say. I was dying of boredom." Monroe's rise to fame began when she caught the eye of 20th Century Fox executive, Ben Lyon. Monroe met Lyon while modeling, and shortly after he offered her a 6 month contract. Lyon is the one who gave her the screen name Marilyn Monroe. Soon after signing with Lyon, Monroe began to appear in many Hollywood films and starring with some of Hollywood's biggest actors. As she rose to fame she met many stars, including Joe DiMaggio, whom she would later marry. Monroe's second marriage was a short one. She married Joe DiMaggio in San Francisco City Hall in 1954. The marriage only lasted 9 months. Monroe's attorney claimed it was a conflict in careers.

Monroe, however, claimed DiMaggio was indifferent and moody. DiMaggio wrote letters to Monroe after she filed for divorce saying, I love you and want to be with you. Monroe's third and final marriage was to a man named Arthur Miller. Arthur and Marilyn married during a 1956 civil ceremony in White Plains, New York. Marilyn and Arthur's marriage was not all sunshine and rainbows; During the five years Marilyn and Arthur were married, she experienced two miscarriages. It has been speculated that this is what caused Monroe to become more dependant upon drugs and depressed. The marriage ended when Miller left Monroe for a photographer he met on the set of a movie called The Misfits.

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