Uncovering An Untold Bond: Marilyn Monroe’s Intriguing Connection With Her Lesser-Known Sister

The news was a revelation for both sisters, allowing them to establish a relationship that lasted until Marilyn’s early death in 1962. However, Marilyn kept her sister a secret from the public for many reasons. Sit back, relax, and let’s uncover the secrets that remained a mystery for decades!

However, that was far from the truth. It was after Marilyn’s death that Berniece revealed their connection to the world. As it stands, it was Berniece who selected her sister’s casket and burial dress, a testament to the sisterly bond they shared. But was there something more to their relationship? Let’s find out!

Like Norma, Berniece was in the dark about her younger half-sister’s existence for the first 19 years of her life. Born in 1926 to Glasys Baker in Los Angeles, Norma knew nothing about her sister. She spent her early years living with her mother, and by age ten she was placed into a foster home.

It was during this time that Marilyn discovered the existence of her half-sister. While Marilyn lived in the City of Angels, Berniece grew up as a wild child in Kentucky, dancing to the swing music of the ‘30s and ‘40s.

All Berniece had was a single photograph of her mother, displayed on a dresser in her home. Born seven years before her half-sister, she spent years wondering why her mother abandoned her. During those years, Gladys cut off all contact with her ex-husband, Jasper, leaving him to care for Jackie and Berniece alone.

Interestingly, Berniece and Marilyn had a lot in common beyond sharing the same mother. Both girls grew up in wild homes, struggling to find love and strength amidst the chaos. After Gladys left Marilyn to receive care for her mental illness, Marilyn was sent to various orphanages.

After years of not hearing from (or about) her birth mother, she assumed she had also passed away. Berniece was 19 and was about to get married when a letter arrived. The sender? Her estranged mother.

The letter had been written years ago by her estranged mother, confessing she has a younger half-sister, Norma Jeane. The news was shocking to Berniece, who did not know her mother’s past. As she kept reading, she realized how her mother had kept this secret from her her entire life.

She didn’t need to think it over—she wasted no time to reach out to her newly found sister. Finally the questions that had haunted her for years would be answered. She put pen to paper to begin their sisterhood journey.

Marilyn’s curiosity about her sister was met with Berniece’s eagerness to say much about herself and their shared family history. Every letter had the signature, “Your sister,” and the more they wrote, the more they discovered similarities beyond bloodline. Determined to make up for the lost time, Berniece reached out to other family members who could help.

Meanwhile, Marilyn got engaged to Jim Dougherty at the age of 16. The couple was wed in 1942 when Jim was 21 years old. The young couple moved to Santa Catalina Island, where Jim joined the Merchant Navy. Despite her newfound happiness, Marilyn didn’t forget Berniece.

Nothing lasts forever, they say. That was certainly true for Jim and Marilyn, as shadows of world conflict dominated their happiness. As the conflict raged on, the couple feared that Jim would be recruited into the military. The sister’s bond was also tested as they faced different uncertainties.

Marilyn also kept her sister updated about her life, including the fear of Jim’s recruitment into the military. Marilyn proudly showed every photo Berniece sent to her neighbors and visitors. Through it all, they grew healthier. Little did they know fate was about to bring them together in a way they never imagined.

Sadly, as the conflict progressed, their plans were put on hold. At that time, Marilyn worked as a glue sprayer at a defense plant. Her hard work earned her a certificate for excellence. It was also during this job that she had her first-ever photograph taken for a magazine. Little did Marilyn know she was now one step closer to fame and success.

With a profitable career on the horizon, she resigned from her job at the factory. When Marilyn’s modeling career took off, it brought a new type of instability to her life. The good news, though, was that it would soon bring her face-to-face with her beloved Berniece.

Marilyn used Jim’s allotment money to buy the train ticket Initially, Berniece and Paris feared they might not recognize Marilyn. Surprisingly, their worries disappeared as they spotted Marilyn, recognizing her from the photos.

Berniece was hit by how stunning her sister looked, and how different she was from everyone else at the station. The sisters couldn’t take their eyes off each other. Alas, they were together in the flesh after all these years.

As they explored the city, they shared stories of their childhoods and even uncovered new ones, like how their mother had used a dresser drawer as a crib for Marilyn.

Marilyn also revealed she last saw Gladys in a mental institution decades ago. She admitted to Berneice that she almost wished she never visited Gladys at all. Overall, their reunion was bittersweet as they thought of the past and battled with their complicated feelings.

Berniece was surprised because she has also performed a dance routine to the same song while growing up. It was a lovely moment as it proved how much they shared in common, despite years of separation.

Little did they know Gladys would soon reappear in their lives, bringing a new chapter to their shared memory. But before she showed up, they enjoyed each other’s company, uncovering connections only siblings can understand.

Growing up without a father, Marilyn felt jealous of Berniece’s situation. However, Berniece was quick to reveal that her upbringing was far from perfect, and that she never experienced fatherly love.

Sadly, this dream was a bone of contention in her marriage. Jim didn’t approve, and their relationship started to fall apart as her career took off. This turbulence made Marilyn homeless and financially unstable. But Marilyn was determined to break free from her husband’s shadow and make it on her own.

He warned her that Hollywood studios were reluctant to hire married women, as they often prioritized their families over their careers. Her ambition paid off, and soon she became one of the most iconic actresses of all time.

However, the modest wage didn’t stop Marilyn from following her passion for becoming a movie star. She spent her early months at the studio taking dancing, singing, and action classes. You can say she was determined to make it big in Hollywood.

As for her surname, Marilyn chose it herself because it was her mother’s maiden name. Speaking of her mother, Marilyn was still caring for her mother even as her career started to take off. But like Jim, Gladys was not in favor of her career.

Meanwhile, Berniece was on her way to California to visit their estranged mother. It would be her chance to finally reunite with her. Soon, Marilyn would have to confront the past and the present simultaneously.

Berniece always watched in awe as her sister became a Hollywood star. Her style was impeccable and it was obvious that Marilyn was destined for greatness.

Berniece proceeded to write a book about her sister’s life. Titled My Sister Marilyn, it was her opportunity toe set some records straight. She and her daughter, who is an author, wrote it together in the early 1990s, and it was finally published in 1994.

Mona, Marilyn’s niece, learned a few things from her famous aunt. According to Mona, Marilyn showed her how to put her best foot forward. So, beyond the public persona, there was a genuine Marilyn Monroe, one who was more than the sum of her tabloid headlines.