The Tragic Truth About Marilyn Monroe

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in California, the woman who would later be known as Marilyn Monroe was given up to a deeply religious foster home when she was just 2 weeks old. Her biological mother was a woman by the name of Gladys Pearl Baker, who was 26 years old when she had baby Norma (per Biography). Baker claimed that Norma's biological father was a man named Charles Stanley Gifford who worked with her at a film processing company; he supposedly abandoned Baker when he found out she was pregnant.

Baker made an attempt to stay in contact with her daughter throughout her childhood, arranging regular visits and sleepovers. She even once attempted to abduct baby Norma and escape with her in a duffel bag, but the effort was successfully stopped by Norma's foster mother, Ida Bolender. Baker was later diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and was institutionalized in 1934 (via Biography).

According to the New York Post, Monroe also unfortunately suffered a series of sexual abuse incidents as a child. Although the exact details are unknown, she referred to one of the perpetrators as "Mr. Kimmel," who reportedly assaulted her at the age of 8. Other assailants are widely speculated to have been her cousin and a close family friend.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).