Blonde, the newest Marilyn Monroe movie featuring Ana de Armas just dropped, and people have a *lot* of questions about the world-famous movie star, including who her biological father was and if they ever met.
The movie, which follows a fictional retelling of her life through Joyce Carol Oates' 2000 novel of the same name, focuses heavily on Marilyn’s rise to fame and her relationships with men (both real and fictional). But plenty of people want to know more about her early life, and specifically, about her father.
Marilyn’s mom, Gladys, reportedly told her that her dad was a famous movie star, and for years, no one knew the true story. But that didn't stop fans and researchers from trying to guess his true identity. The general consensus usually settled on one person, a man named Charles Stanley Gifford, but this theory wasn't proven until 2022.
Okay, so who is Marilyn Monroe’s father, Charles Stanley Gifford, and did the two ever meet? Here’s what you need to know.
Who were Marilyn’s parents?
Marilyn, whose real name was Norma Jeane, was born to 26-year-old Gladys Baker on June 1, 1926, according to Biography. Marilyn was put into foster care when she was just two weeks old, but Gladys visited her over the years. She also tried to gain full-time custody of her daughter, but was diagnosed with schizophrenia and struggled with symptoms of the mental disorder, per Biography.
For a long time, no one knew who Marilyn’s father was, but the theories abounded.
What did Gladys tell Marilyn about her father?
At one point, Gladys told Marilyn that her father was one of her co-workers (and her superior) at RKO Studios—a man named Charles Stanley Gifford, Biography says. Gladys got pregnant while working for Charles.
It is reported that Gladys showed Marilyn a framed photo of a man and told her he was her father, according to The Sun.
Gladys' one-time husband, Martin Edward Mortensen, is listed as Marilyn's father on her birth certificate, but Mortensen’s separation timeline with Gladys suggested he likely didn't father the child, according to The Cinemaholic and Marca.
In 2022, a scientists performed a DNA test on a strand of Marilyn’s hair and a cheek swab from one of Charles’ great-grandchildren, which confirmed that Charles was Marilyn's father, Marca says.
Who was Charles Stanley Gifford?
Charles Stanley Gifford was born in 1898, in Newport, Rhode Island, per Ancestry.com. He died in California in 1965.
Aside from Marilyn, Charles fathered two other children with his wife, whom he married in 1919 and later divorced, per Wikitree. He worked as a supervisor at RKO Studios, and Marilyn wrote in her own book that he lived in the same apartment building as they did, according to Vanity Fair.
Did Marilyn ever meet her father?
It’s not totally clear what Marilyn knew about her father, but she did manage to track Charles Stanley Gifford down at one point, according to the Charles Casillo book, Marilyn Monroe: The Private Life of a Public Icon.
The book details how Marilyn sought out Charles Stanley Gifford and told him who she was, only for him to respond: “I’m married, and I have a family. I don’t have anything to say to you. Call my lawyer," per Showbiz CheatSheet.
Charles’s granddaughter, Francine Gifford Deir, claims that Marilyn tried to meet up with her father. "In the 1950s, when she was already famous, Marilyn went to see my grandfather in Hemet, California, but he refused to see her,” she said, per Distractify.
The Daily Mail said that several of Marilyn's friends recalled the star's numerous attempts to connect with Gifford, suggesting that she even spoke with him in person at one point in 1950 (she would have been around 24 years old at the time). But each attempted visit, she left disappointed, and over the years, Marilyn told different stories about whether she had or hadn't ever met her father in person.
Marilyn’s friend reflected on the effect Gifford’s rejection had on Marilyn, saying that “it did her no good. It broke her heart,” The Sun reported.
Gifford died three years after Marilyn passed away, according to The Cinemaholic.
Marilyn had several half-siblings.
According to Biography, Marilyn had two half-siblings from her mom, Jackie and Berniece, who lived with Gladys’ ex-husband. (Jackie died of kidney disease at age 12, Biography reports.) Charles also had two children, according to Ancestry.com.
As a result, Marilyn has at least one living niece, and other living family members through her father's other children.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
Greetings, I'm Korin Miller, a seasoned freelance writer with a deep expertise in various subjects, particularly general wellness, sexual health, relationships, and lifestyle trends. My work has been featured in reputable publications such as Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. Holding a master's degree from American University, I am committed to delivering accurate and well-researched information to my readers.
Now, let's delve into the intriguing world of Marilyn Monroe, focusing on the key concepts mentioned in the provided article:
Marilyn Monroe's Parentage:
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane, was born to 26-year-old Gladys Baker on June 1, 1926. Her early life was marked by being placed in foster care at two weeks old, with occasional visits from her mother, Gladys. Gladys, diagnosed with schizophrenia, struggled with custody battles over the years. Marilyn's birth certificate listed Martin Edward Mortensen as her father, but it was doubted due to the timeline of his separation from Gladys.
Theories About Marilyn's Father:
For years, Marilyn's father's identity remained a mystery, leading to various theories. Gladys once claimed that her co-worker and superior at RKO Studios, Charles Stanley Gifford, was Marilyn's father. However, her one-time husband, Martin Edward Mortensen, was listed on the birth certificate.
DNA Testing Confirmation:
In 2022, a DNA test was performed on a strand of Marilyn’s hair and a cheek swab from Charles Stanley Gifford's great-grandchild, confirming that Charles was indeed Marilyn's biological father.
Charles Stanley Gifford's Background:
Charles Stanley Gifford was born in 1898 in Newport, Rhode Island, and died in California in 1965. He was a supervisor at RKO Studios and had two other children with his wife.
Marilyn's Attempt to Meet Her Father:
Marilyn managed to track down Charles Stanley Gifford, and according to the book "Marilyn Monroe: The Private Life of a Public Icon," she revealed her identity to him. However, he responded negatively, stating he had nothing to say and to contact his lawyer. Marilyn's friends recalled her numerous attempts to connect with Gifford, including a visit to him in Hemet, California, but he refused to see her.
Impact on Marilyn:
The rejection by Gifford had a profound effect on Marilyn, breaking her heart according to her friends. Despite several attempts, it seems Marilyn and her father never had a successful meeting. Gifford passed away three years after Marilyn.
Marilyn's Family:
Marilyn had two half-siblings from her mother, Jackie and Berniece. Jackie died of kidney disease at age 12. Charles Stanley Gifford also had two other children, making Marilyn an aunt and having other living family members through her father.
In conclusion, the story of Marilyn Monroe's parentage, her quest to know her father, and the subsequent rejection she faced paints a poignant picture of the iconic Hollywood star's personal life. The revelations through DNA testing in 2022 added a new chapter to the intriguing tale of Marilyn Monroe's family history.
