The Early Life of Gladys Baker
Gladys Baker was born on May 27, 1902, in Bernice, Louisiana. She was the third of five children born to Otis Elmer Baker and his wife, Netta. Gladys’ childhood was marked by poverty and instability. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she and her siblings were shuffled between various relatives’ homes.
Despite her difficult upbringing, Gladys was a beautiful and spirited young woman. She dreamed of becoming a movie star and was thrilled when she won a local beauty contest at the age of 15. This victory led her to believe that she was destined for bigger things.
Gladys Meets Charles Stanley Gifford
In 1923, Gladys moved to California in the hopes of pursuing a career in Hollywood. She soon met a man named Charles Stanley Gifford, and the two began dating. Gifford was a handsome and charismatic man who worked as a film cutter for RKO Pictures. Gladys was smitten with him and believed that he could help her achieve her dreams.
However, Gifford was not the person he appeared to be. He was married and had a young daughter, but he concealed this from Gladys. When she discovered the truth, she was devastated. Gifford convinced Gladys to keep their relationship a secret from his wife and promised to leave her and marry Gladys instead.
The Birth of Norma Jeane Baker
In 1926, Gladys became pregnant with Gifford’s child. She was overjoyed at the prospect of starting a family with the man she loved. However, things did not go according to plan. Gifford never divorced his wife, and he eventually abandoned Gladys when she was six months pregnant.
On June 1, 1926, Gladys gave birth to a baby girl whom she named Norma Jeane Baker. She was forced to give the baby up for adoption because she was unable to provide for her. This decision haunted Gladys for the rest of her life.
Gladys’ Mental Health Struggles
After giving up her daughter, Gladys’ mental health began to deteriorate. She had always been prone to depression and anxiety, but the trauma of losing her child pushed her over the edge. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was in and out of mental institutions for the rest of her life.
Despite her illness, Gladys never lost her love for the movies. She continued to follow the careers of her favorite actors and dreamed of being reunited with her daughter someday.
The Tragic End of Gladys Baker
Gladys’ life came to a tragic end on March 11, 1954. She was living in a mental institution in Norwalk, California, when she was found dead in her room. The cause of death was listed as “acute barbiturate poisoning,” but it is unclear whether her death was accidental or a suicide.
Gladys was buried in an unmarked grave in the Corcoran Cemetery in Corcoran, California. She never knew that her daughter, Norma Jeane Baker, had become one of the biggest movie stars in the world and had taken the name Marilyn Monroe.
The Legacy of Gladys Baker
Gladys’ story is a tragic one, but it is also a reminder of the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the many challenges she faced, Gladys never gave up on her dreams. She believed in the magic of the movies and the possibility of a better life.
Today, Gladys’ legacy lives on through her daughter, Marilyn Monroe. Monroe’s fame and success were built on the foundation of her mother’s love and sacrifice. Gladys may have been forgotten by the world, but she will always be remembered as the woman who gave birth to one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons.
