Though we all know Marilyn Monroe, most of us would not even recognise the name Gladys Pearl Baker. However, this is what happens mostly. We remember a celebrity, but most of her family members remain unrecognised. Let me inform you that Gladys was Monroe’s troubled mother. Recently, a movie named Blobde aired on Netflix, which is based on Monroe’s life. Apart from giving us an insight into her troubled life, the film also brought Gladys to the fore.
Gladys was a single mother who gave birth to one of the most iconic stars in the entertainment industry. She also lived to witness her daughter’s death in 1962. Much later, on the 11th of March 1984, she left for her heavenly abode. After Blonde was aired, people naturally became interested to know about Monroe’s mother and as a result, internet searches about her also skyrocketed. Therefore, if you wish to know all about Gladys, then this article is the perfect stop for you.
About Monroe’s Mother
Gladys was born to her parents in Mexico. The names of her parents were Otis Elmer Monroe and Della Mae Monroe. His father served at the National Railways. Not much is known about her early life and her date of birth also remains unknown to us. In addition, much of her family details also remain in the dark.
Gladys first married Jasper Newton Baker and welcomed two children from their marriage. The names of her children were Berniece Inez Gladys and Robert Kermit “Jackie”. However, her married life was troubled by multiple cases of abuse. Finally, in 1921, she parted ways with her first husband.
After her separation from Baker, she married a man named Martin Edward Mortensen. However, as soon as she met Charles Stanley Gifford, the biological father of Marilyn Monroe, she parted ways with Martin. However, the fact that Martin was Monroe’s father was proved through a DNA test very recently.
Galdys As Monroe’s Mother
Marilyn might be an iconic figure, but she faced great abuse thorughout her life, with various controversies surrounding him. However, her mother Gladys had a huge role to play in this. She used to neglect and maltreat her daughter. In fact, two months after her birth, Gladys placed her under the care of Christian foster paretns. However, Gladys herself suffered from mental illness throughout her life. In fact, she attempted to kidnap Monroe from her foster home multiple times.
Her first attempt to kidnap her was when she was three years old. However, Monroe was placed under Baker’s care for a brief period of time, when she turned 7. But Gladys was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1934 and was taken to hospital. Therefore, Gladys was always neglectful to Monroe, as a mother.
Gladys’ Death
Baker worked as a housekeeper afte her discharge from the hospital. But again in 1953, she was admitted to a sanatorium. After her release in 1967, she moved with her first daughter. Finally, on the 11th of March 1984, she died at the age of 81. The cause of her death was heart failure.
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