Marilyn Monroe: The Tragic Quest for Fatherly Love

Norma Jeane Baker, later known as Marilyn Monroe, spent her entire life searching for the love of her father.

The absence of her father, Charles Stanley Gifford, haunted her from a young age.

Gifford had a brief affair with Norma's mother, Gladys, and when she became pregnant, he abandoned them both.

This rejection left a lasting impact on Monroe, who longed to know her father and desperately wanted his love.

Monroe's upbringing was far from stable.

Her mother, who suffered from mental illness, tried to stab a friend shortly after giving birth to Monroe.

As a result, Monroe was shuttled between various homes and foster care, never finding a sense of stability.

At the age of eight, she experienced s**ual abuse for the first time, but the details of the incident remain undisclosed.

Sadly, abuse continued to be a recurring theme in Monroe's life.

She endured abuse from a cousin and the boyfriend of a close family friend during her childhood.

In 10th grade, Monroe was married off to an older man named Jim Dougherty, but the marriage ended in divorce when Monroe embarked on a modeling career and found success in Hollywood.

Throughout her rise to stardom, thoughts of her father remained in Monroe's mind.

She made attempts to contact him, only to be cruelly dismissed.

In one instance, while still an up-and-coming actress, she called him and introduced herself as his daughter.

He coldly replied that he had nothing to say to her and instructed her to contact his lawyer.

This rejection deeply affected Monroe and fueled her longing for her father's approval and affection.

Monroe's troubled relationship with her father had a significant impact on her interactions with men.

She often spoke of being attacked by men at Hollywood parties, and even laughed along with them to hide her true feelings.

As an aspiring actress, she faced s**ual extortion and had an agreement with a Hollywood executive that involved s**ual favors in exchange for career opportunities.

Despite her success, she constantly faced exploitation and abuse.

Her relationships with men who claimed to care for her were also fraught with difficulties.

Her marriage to baseball player Joe DiMaggio was marred by his jealousy and possessiveness.

DiMaggio wanted a traditional housewife, which frustrated Monroe and led her to rely on sedatives.

Their marriage ended after a heated argument following the filming of a famous scene where Monroe's dress flew up, exposing her legs and underwear.

Monroe's marriage to playwright Arthur Miller was also troubled.

Miller was jealous of Monroe's past and considered her a disappointment.

He further broke her heart by intentionally leaving his diary open, revealing his negative thoughts about her.

This revelation had a devastating impact on Monroe.

In addition to these tumultuous relationships, Monroe became involved with John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert.

She met both brothers through her friendship with Peter Lawford, who was married to the president's sister.

Monroe's time with Robert Kennedy was particularly significant to her, but both men could not offer her the loyalty she desperately sought.

Amidst declining mental health, Monroe found herself depending on these two men who could not provide the support she needed.

When she learned that President Kennedy was ending their affair, she turned to Robert for comfort.

However, he too had to consider his family and career, and he ended their relationship on his brother's instructions.

This final rejection pushed Monroe into despair.

She often stayed with the Lawfords and would take pills, occasionally entering their bedroom in the middle of the night, expressing her longing for happiness.

Tragically, Monroe died from an overdose on August 5, 1962, in her Brentwood home.

She had desperately tried to get in touch with Robert the week before her death, but it is unknown if she succeeded.

Throughout her life, Monroe placed her hopes in the men she encountered, seeking the love and stability she never received from her father.

Her tragic quest for fatherly love defined her relationships and ultimately led to her untimely demise.