Netflix’s new movie, Blonde has refreshed memories of Marilyn Monroe in the minds of her fans. While she remains eternal in our hearts, details regarding her biological father remain a mystery. Almost six decades after her death, a DNA test has revealed that the iconic star’s biological father was, Charles Stanley Gifford. Here is everything you need to know about the man.
Who Was Charles Stanley Gifford?
Sixty years after the death of the “blonde bombshell”, a DNA test confirms that Charles Stanley Gifford was her biological father. Charles, an American businessman, was born on Sept. 18, 1898, in Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island. His parents were, Frederick Almy Gifford and Elizabeth Easton Tennant.
At 21, Charles Stanley Gifford married Lillian and gave birth to two children. However, Marilyn wasn’t one of them. Later, he moved to California and bought a couple of cottage units. After his divorce in 1923, Charles met Marilyn’s mother Gladys Pearl Baker when he relocated to Los Angeles and began working at RKO Pictures.
Gladys was living apart from her two children and ex-husband Jasper Newton Baker. After a brief romance, they gave birth to Norma Jean Baker, who later became famous as Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn’s father moved to Riverside County and bought a few vacation homes after leaving Gladys.
He even opened Red Rock Dairy in Hemet, a drive-through store. Marilyn’s birth certificate, on the other hand, reflected Martin Edward Mortensen, Gladys’s one-time husband, as her father. He died on June 27, 1965, in Hemet, Riverside County, California.
The DNA Test Confirms Rumors…
| Name | Charles Stanley Gifford |
| Birthdate | September 18, 1898 |
| Birthplace | Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island |
| Death | June 27, 1965 |
| Death Place | Hemet, Riverside County, California |
| Age | 66 years (At the time of death) |
| Parents | Frederick Almy Gifford (father), Elizabeth Easton Tennant (mother) |
| Wife | Gladys Pearl Baker (Monroe’s mother, Lilian, and Marie Bell Seiwell (as reported) |
| Daughter | Marilyn Monroe |
| Profession | American businessman |
For decades, there were rumours surrounding Charles Stanley Gifford, but they only got confirmed recently following a DNA test, revealing that he is the actual father of Monroe. In the book, Marilyn Monroe: The Private Life of a Public Icon, it has been mentioned that Marilyn’s mother told her about Charles.
When she made him a call, Charles said: “I’m married, and I have a family. I don’t have anything to say to you. Call my lawyer.” Because of this man, Marilyn shifted from one foster home to another. She died two years before her father, and the police concluded that her death was “caused by a self-administered overdose of sedative drugs.” However, there are conspiracy theories, which state that she was murdered.
As for the new DNA test, doctors used a strand of her hair, acquired from the person who embalmed her in 1962 and compared her with the saliva sample provided by Charles’ great-daughter, Francine Gifford Deir, who recently discovered that Marilyn Monroe was her aunt.
The new Andrew Dominik-directed biopic “Blonde”, starring Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe, has rightfully depicted the dark, disconnected picture of Marilyn’s life. It also dives into her “daddy issues” due to which she ended up calling her sexual partners “Daddy.” Did you watch the movie?
Forever in my HEART ❤
My mother was born into a the same situation. Her father was from a political family in Colorado. The man eventually became a judge. 23andme proved the relationship. His “legitimate” family refuse to recognize the relationship, although some cousins have been lovely and welcoming.
My mother did not become a screen icon, instead she became an angry alcoholic woman who, like Marilyn, had daddy issues. She made me promise not to look for her paternal family until after she died. She said that they would not be welcoming.
The problems created by men not taking responsibility and leaving women and children to suffer is beyond the pale in ways people can be despicable.