Marilyn Monroe’s Unfulfilled Motherhood: The Untold Story of Her Three Pregnancies

Since her passing over six decades ago, Marilyn Monroe's admirers have been intrigued by the question of whether she had children and if she aspired to have a family with any of her three spouses.

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, Marilyn faced a tumultuous childhood, being placed in foster care by her mother, Gladys Pearl Monroe, at a young age.

Unaware of her father's identity, a recent test conducted in 2022 revealed that her biological father was Charles Stanley Gifford, her mother's colleague with whom she had an affair in 1925.

Marilyn's early years were marked by frequent relocations until her marriage at 16 to her first husband, James Dougherty.

Simultaneously, Marilyn ventured into modeling and acting, quickly rising to fame.

By 1955, having divorced her initial spouse, she had already starred in various successful films, including “Niagara,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” and “How to Marry a Millionaire.”

Her comedic roles as a “blonde bombshell” garnered significant acclaim, leading to further hits such as “Bus Stop” and “The Prince and the Showgirl.”

Notably, her role in “Some Like It Hot” earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in 1960, with her final film, “The Misfits,” premiering a year before her demise at age 36 in 1962.

Posthumously, Marilyn's life has been immortalized in numerous movies and documentaries, notably “My Week With Marilyn” in 2011 and “Blonde” in 2022, reflecting the enduring fascination with her persona.

Portrayed by renowned actresses like Michelle Williams and Ana de Armas, Marilyn's legacy continues to inspire audiences worldwide.

Delving into Marilyn Monroe's personal life, the lingering question remains: Did she have children?

Despite marriages to James Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio, and Arthur Miller, Marilyn did not bear any offspring prior to her tragic demise.

However, revelations from Netflix's 2022 documentary, “The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes,” shed light on her challenging journey towards motherhood with her last husband.

Marilyn's attempts at pregnancy with Arthur Miller resulted in three heartbreaking losses.

In 1956, she experienced a miscarriage, followed by an ectopic pregnancy in 1957 and another miscarriage in 1958 during the filming of “Some Like It Hot.”

Director Billy Wilder's accounts underscored Marilyn's internal struggles during this period, portraying a woman grappling with profound personal turmoil amidst professional success.

Her fertility issues, attributed to endometriosis, a debilitating gynecological condition affecting one in ten individuals with a uterus, exacerbated Marilyn's desire for motherhood.

Anthony Summers' book, “Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe,” highlighted how her battle with endometriosis culminated in drug dependency as she sought solace amid thwarted dreams of starting a family.

Tragically, Marilyn's life ended in August 1962 due to acute barbiturate poisoning, classified as a probable suicide by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

The circumstances surrounding her death, marked by substance abuse and mental health struggles, reflected a poignant narrative of unfulfilled potential and untold sorrow.

For a deeper insight into Marilyn Monroe's complex existence, her autobiographical account, “My Story,” offers a poignant portrayal of her evolution from a troubled orphan to an iconic Hollywood figure.

Through rare photographs and candid reflections, Marilyn's narrative resonates with readers, capturing the essence of a woman transcending fame to reveal the vulnerabilities beneath her glamorous facade.

In commemorating Marilyn Monroe's enduring legacy, we honor her resilience, artistry, and the poignant legacy she left behind, embodying the timeless allure of an enigmatic star whose brilliance continues to captivate generations.