The Untold Story of Marilyn Monroe's Parents: A Troubled Past

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Are you a fan of Marilyn Monroe and want to know more about her life? You might have heard about her tumultuous childhood, but have you ever wondered about her parents and their background? The untold story of Marilyn Monroe's parents reveals a troubled past that sheds light on the Hollywood icon's early years.

Gladys Pearl Monroe, Marilyn's mother, was just sixteen when she had her daughter. Her father, Edward Mortensen, was an abusive man who abandoned the family before Marilyn was even born. Gladys moved around frequently with her baby, from Los Angeles to Oregon to Iona, where she married John Newton Baker in 1924. However, their relationship wasn't meant to last, and Gladys filed for divorce in 1927.

The divorce was messy, with allegations of infidelity and emotional instability on both sides. Gladys was later hospitalized for mental illness, and Marilyn was sent to live with various relatives and foster families. This traumatic upbringing left a lasting impact on Marilyn's life and influenced her career choices as an actress. If you want to learn more about the untold story of Marilyn Monroe's parents, read on to discover the details behind this heartbreaking tale.

From abandonment to mental illness and divorce, Marilyn Monroe's parents' past is a tragic one that shaped the course of the Hollywood legend's early years. While much attention has been given to Marilyn's own struggles with mental health and emotional turmoil, her parents' troubled history reveals another layer to the star's story. If you're curious to discover the unknown background of one of the world's most beloved actresses, then don't miss out on this revealing account of Marilyn Monroe's family history.


The Tumultuous Childhood of Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most iconic actresses of all time. However, little is known about her upbringing and the troubled past of her parents. Her childhood was marked by abandonment, mental illness, and divorce. In this article, we will explore the untold story of Marilyn Monroe's parents and how their background influenced the Hollywood legend's early years.

Gladys Pearl Monroe, Marilyn's Mother

Gladys Pearl Monroe was only sixteen when she gave birth to Marilyn. Her father, Edward Mortensen, abandoned the family before Marilyn was even born. Gladys moved around frequently with her baby, from Los Angeles to Oregon to Iona. She married John Newton Baker in 1924, but their relationship was short-lived, and they divorced in 1927.

Abusive Father and Abandoned Family

Edward Mortensen was an abusive man who left Gladys and Marilyn before the young girl was even born. This abandonment had a profound impact on Marilyn's life and may have contributed to her struggles with abandonment issues.

Frequent Relocations

Gladys and Marilyn moved around frequently, which made it difficult for Marilyn to form stable relationships and friendships. This instability may have contributed to her later struggles with anxiety and depression.

The Messy Divorce

Gladys and John Newton Baker's divorce was messy and painful, with allegations of infidelity and emotional instability on both sides. The divorce had a lasting impact on both Gladys and Marilyn's lives.

Allegations of Infidelity

During the divorce proceedings, both Gladys and John Newton Baker made accusations of infidelity against each other. This public airing of their dirty laundry may have had a negative impact on Marilyn's self-esteem and self-worth.

Mental Illness and Hospitalization

After the divorce, Gladys was hospitalized for mental illness. This event had a profound impact on Marilyn, as she was sent to live with various relatives and foster families. This instability may have contributed to her later struggles with mental health issues.

Impact on Marilyn's Life and Career

Marilyn's traumatic upbringing left a lasting impact on her life and influenced her career choices as an actress. She often played characters who were vulnerable or struggled with mental health issues, which may have been influenced by her own experiences.

Influence on Acting Career

Marilyn's turbulent childhood may have influenced her decision to pursue acting as a way to escape her painful past. She often played characters who embodied her own struggles with abandonment and mental health issues.

Lasting Impact on Mental Health

Marilyn's difficult childhood and the instability it created may have had a lasting impact on her mental health. She struggled with anxiety, depression, and addiction throughout her life, which may have been influenced by her early experiences.

The Untold Story of Marilyn's Parents

The untold story of Marilyn Monroe's parents sheds light on the Hollywood icon's early years and the struggles she faced. From abandonment to mental illness and divorce, her parents' troubled history reveals another layer to Marilyn's already fascinating story.

A Tragic Past

Marilyn's parents' past is a tragic one that left a lasting impact on Marilyn's life. Their struggles with mental illness, infidelity, and emotional instability may have contributed to the turmoil that Marilyn faced throughout her life.

A Story of Resilience

Despite the challenges she faced, Marilyn Monroe was a resilient and talented actress who captivated audiences around the world. Her story is a testament to the human spirit and the power of perseverance.

Factors Impact on Marilyn's Life
Abusive Father Contributed to Marilyn's struggles with abandonment issues
Frequent Relocations Made it difficult for Marilyn to form stable relationships and friendships
Messy Divorce Had a lasting impact on both Gladys and Marilyn's lives
Mental Illness/Hospitalization May have contributed to Marilyn's later struggles with mental health issues
Influence on Acting Career Marilyn played characters who embodied her own struggles with abandonment and mental health issues
Lasting Impact on Mental Health Marilyn struggled with anxiety, depression, and addiction throughout her life
A Tragic Past Left a lasting impact on Marilyn's life and shaped the course of her career
A Story of Resilience Marilyn Monroe was a resilient and talented actress who overcame incredible odds to achieve success

In conclusion, the untold story of Marilyn Monroe's parents sheds light on the struggles she faced throughout her life. Despite the challenges she faced, Marilyn was a resilient and talented actress who left a lasting impact on the world. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the human spirit.


Thank you for taking the time to read through The Untold Story of Marilyn Monroe's Parents: A Troubled Past. We hope that this article has shed light on the struggles and challenges faced by Gladys Pearl Monroe and Edward Mortensen, and how it ultimately impacted their daughter Marilyn's life.

As we delved deeper into the past of Marilyn's parents, we were struck by how intertwined their lives were with the events of their time. From the Great Depression to the Second World War, they navigated personal hardships and societal upheavals that left a lasting impact on their family. We hope that our readers now have a greater understanding of the complex circumstances that contributed to Marilyn Monroe's early life.

In closing, we want to emphasize the importance of looking beyond the surface when exploring the lives of public figures. While we may know Marilyn Monroe as an icon of Hollywood glamour, her own story is deeply rooted in the experiences and struggles of those who came before her. By examining the untold narratives of our cultural heroes, we gain a fuller understanding of the human experience as a whole.


People also ask about The Untold Story of Marilyn Monroe's Parents: A Troubled Past

  1. What was the relationship between Marilyn Monroe's parents?
  2. Marilyn Monroe's parents had a tumultuous relationship. Her mother, Gladys, suffered from mental illness and was in and out of psychiatric hospitals. Her father, Charles, was largely absent from her life.

  3. What impact did Marilyn Monroe's parents have on her life?
  4. Marilyn Monroe's troubled past with her parents had a significant impact on her life. She struggled with feelings of abandonment and rejection, and often turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with her emotional pain.

  5. Did Marilyn Monroe have a relationship with her father?
  6. Marilyn Monroe had a strained relationship with her father, who was largely absent from her life. They reconnected briefly when she became famous, but their relationship remained distant.

  7. What mental illness did Marilyn Monroe's mother have?
  8. Marilyn Monroe's mother suffered from schizophrenia, a severe mental illness that can cause delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking.

  9. How did Marilyn Monroe's parents' troubled past affect her relationships?
  10. Marilyn Monroe's difficult childhood and relationship with her parents affected her ability to form healthy relationships as an adult. She struggled with trust issues and often sought validation and affection from men.