Unveiling Marilyn Monroe’s Mexican Heritage: Separating Fact from Fiction

While the notion of Marilyn Monroe having Mexican roots is an intriguing one, historical evidence does not support this claim. Her life narrative is a testament to the American dream, an individual who rose above challenges and captivated the world with her talent and charisma.

Claim: Marilyn was as Mexican as they come

There is a popular belief that Marilyn Monroe had Mexican heritage. This is based on a few accounts that suggest she could have learned English from truck drivers in her native Jalisco, or had connections to Mexico through her family. However, these claims are often embellished with fictional details and historical inaccuracies.

Fact-Checking Marilyn Monroe’s Mexican Connections

1. Her Native Language Learning

While it is true that Monroe may have learned English from truck drivers in her native Jalisco, the notion that she only started learning English at the age of 22 is an exaggeration. According to historical records, Marilyn Monroe was actually born and raised in the United States, and her family background is predominantly American.

2. Guacamole and Audrey Hepburn

According to some stories, Monroe and her family smuggled herself and a special recipe for guacamole to the United States. She reportedly met Audrey Hepburn and fell in love, and used her guacamole skills to develop her acting career. However, there is no concrete evidence supporting this claim. Monroe did have a talent for cooking, but the idea of her using guacamole to help sell acting roles is a myth.

3. The Accidental Acting Career

A story claims that Marilyn Monroe found her passion for acting while playing checkers with a local crime boss named Pepe, who had connections to the bawdy house business. However, this is purely fictional and not supported by historical accounts. Monroe’s acting career was a result of her impressive blonde hair and her move to Hollywood, where she signed with a talent agency and was signed to a contract with Columbia Pictures.

Monroe’s Mother’s Background

Marilyn Monroe’s mother, Gladys Pearl Monroe, was born on May 27, 1902, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. However, Monroe herself was not of Mexican descent. Her maternal great-great-grandparents were Anglo and had moved to Mexico for work. Her grandparents were named Hogan and Owen, and her family eventually migrated to Los Angeles County, California.

Monroe’s Grandparents and Family History

Marilyn Monroe’s maternal grandparents, Otis Elmer Monroe and Della Mae Monroe (née Hogan), were from Arkansas and Minneapolis, respectively. Otis worked for the National Railway and Pacific Electric Railway Co. He eventually moved to California, but later returned to Mexico where his daughter, Gladys, was born.

More about Marilyn Monroe’s Family

Baker remarried to Martin Edward Mortensen in 1924, but later divorced after meeting her superior at RKO Pictures, Charles Stanley Gifford. Gifford is often assumed to be Marilyn Monroe’s father, but the identity remains uncertain. DNA evidence in recent years has identified Gifford as her father. Monroe’s mother, Gladys, registered the surname Mortenson on Norma Jean’s birth certificate, using her ex-husband’s name and specifying his address as unknown. Monroe was also baptized with the name Baker to hide the illegitimacy of her birth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are numerous stories that suggest Marilyn Monroe had Mexican heritage, historical records and biographical accounts do not support these claims. Monroe’s mother, while born in Piedras Negras, Mexico, her family background is predominantly American. Monroe herself was an American woman who rose to fame and became a cultural icon in Hollywood.