Marilyn Monroe

            Marilyn Monroe was born on June 1st, 1926 in Los Angeles General Hospital. Her mother was Gladys Baker, but her father was unknown. Gladys was separated from her second husband Martin Mortensen ten months before she was born, and she had dated many men before Marilyn was born. They named her Norma Jeane Mortensen.
             Because of Gladys troubles of raising Norma Jeane, she was taken to The Bolenders, a foster family. She stayed here for the first seven years of her life, and saw her mother only frequently on visits. .
             Then, in 1933, Norma Jeane returned to living with Gladys and a friend, Grace McKee. The women worked as film cutters and tour guides to the movie stars in the summers. Norma Jeane was exposed to Hollywood and would often be occupied at the movie theater while the ladies worked. Later in 1933, Gladys fell into a wild depression when she learned that her grandfather had died. Grace called a doctor for her friend, who prescribed drugs that were psychotropic, and damaged Gladys mental health beyond repair. In early 1934, she was admitted to a rest home in Santa Monica, and eventually Los Angeles Memorial Hospital because of her nonstop downward spiral. Grace McKee got legal ownership of Norma Jeane and Gladys estate. .
             It was then that Norma Jeane, now eight, would be most inspired to be a movie star. Grace constantly told Norma Jeane she would grow up to be a Hollywood star. Grace soon met Doc Goddard, married, and moved to Van Nuys. Both of the newlyweds were having hardships financially, and Norma Jeane soon became a burden. Norma Jeane moved into Los Angeles Orphans Home and stayed there from 1935 until mid-1937. However, Grace visited Norma Jeane once a week to take her to the movies and beauty shops. Grace even dyed her hair platinum blonde, and dressed Norma Jeane in white clothes to model after Jean Harlow. .
             Eventually in spring of 1937, Grace McKee got legal guardianship of Norma Jeane.