The Tragic Marriages of Marilyn Monroe

Three husbands, three divorces

A photograph of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio by an unknown photographer, 1961 (Wikimedia Commons)

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous actresses of all time. She was the face of Hollywood throughout the 1950s, and she remains a source of fascination for those who are intrigued by modern American culture.

But despite her glamorous exterior, Marilyn had many inner demons. The loneliness she experienced as a child continued to plague her throughout adulthood. And though she had many lovers, all of her marriages tragically fell apart.

James Dougherty

A photograph of Marilyn Monroe and James Dougherty by an unknown photographer, c. 1943 (Wikimedia Commons)

In June 1942, Marilyn married her first husband at the tender age of sixteen. The marriage was arranged by Grace Goddard, a close friend of Marilyn’s mother, and Ethel Dougherty, the groom’s mother.

James Dougherty worked in a factory and was five years older than his teenage wife. Together, they rented a small house in California. Marilyn worked as a dedicated housewife for her new husband, but the relationship started to fall apart when James joined the US Navy.

Marilyn, now forced to live with her husband’s parents, wasn’t pleased with James’s decision. His departure was…