Childhood
Marilyn Monroe was born with the name
Norma Jean Mortenson, then was baptised as
Norma Jean Baker. She was born on June 1st
1926. Her earliest memories were of her mother
trying to suffocate her with a pillow. After that
her mother was placed in a mental institution.
Marilyn never knew for sure who her father was,
though her mother assumed it was Stan Gifford.
Marilyn's mother then married Jasper Baker.
They had a daughter who became Marilyn's half
sister. Because of the problems Marilyn's
mother had, Marilyn had to go to foster
homes. She spent the first seven years of
her life with Mr and Mrs Bolender. At the
age of 16 she wed her boyfriend Jimmy
Dougherty on June 1942.
By that time Marilyn had given up school.
Dougherty was later sent to fight in the
South Pacific. Marilyn then went to work in
an amunition factory in Burbank, California
where a photographer spotted her.
When Dougherty returned (1946), Marilyn
was rocketing towards her dream career.
As a model Marilyn focused more on her
job than on her husband. In 1946 the couple
divorced. That year she signed her first movie
contract. Not only did she change her
career but she changed her appearance and name.
In 1949 came the down-fall. The directors found her work neither
original nor interesting. So to pay her rent, she took a session of
photographing (with Tom Keller) .
Norma Jean Mortenson, then was baptised as
Norma Jean Baker. She was born on June 1st
1926. Her earliest memories were of her mother
trying to suffocate her with a pillow. After that
her mother was placed in a mental institution.
Marilyn never knew for sure who her father was,
though her mother assumed it was Stan Gifford.
Marilyn's mother then married Jasper Baker.
They had a daughter who became Marilyn's half
sister. Because of the problems Marilyn's
mother had, Marilyn had to go to foster
homes. She spent the first seven years of
her life with Mr and Mrs Bolender. At the
age of 16 she wed her boyfriend Jimmy
Dougherty on June 1942.
By that time Marilyn had given up school.
Dougherty was later sent to fight in the
South Pacific. Marilyn then went to work in
an amunition factory in Burbank, California
where a photographer spotted her.
When Dougherty returned (1946), Marilyn
was rocketing towards her dream career.
As a model Marilyn focused more on her
job than on her husband. In 1946 the couple
divorced. That year she signed her first movie
contract. Not only did she change her
career but she changed her appearance and name.
In 1949 came the down-fall. The directors found her work neither
original nor interesting. So to pay her rent, she took a session of
photographing (with Tom Keller) .
