Our famous Marilyn’s 60’s Diner is named after this phenomenal woman who contributed to making the 60’s era such a magnificent era. In this blog, we give you the scoop on why we decided to name our famous Diner after her.
 
On June 1, 1926 Norma Jeane Mortenson was born, in Los Angeles, California. Subsequently her mother Gladys changed their surname to Baker. During her all-too-brief life, Marilyn Monroe overcame a difficult childhood she never knew her father. Her mother Gladys developed psychiatric problems and was eventually placed in a mental institution. Growing up, Monroe spent much of her childhood in foster care and in an orphanage.

In 1937, a family friend and her husband, Grace and Doc Goddard, took care of her for a few years. When Doc’s job was transferred in 1942 to the East Coast, the couple could not afford to bring Monroe with them. Despising the idea of going back to the orphanage, at only 16 years old Monroe married James Dougherty.
In 1944, Monroe and a few other women who worked with her at Radioplane were asked to pose for photographs by a military unit making a film for army training purposes. This is Monroe’s overnight success story becoming one of the world’s biggest and most enduring sex symbols.

She had three spouses:
James Dougherty 1942 – 1946, Joe DiMiaggio 1954 – 1954, Arthur Miller 1956 – 1961
On May 19, 1962 Monroe made her last significant public appearance singing, “Happy birthday” at a birthday party for President John. F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden. The dress she wore to the event, specially designed for her by Jean Louis, sold at an auction in 1999 for USD $ 26 million.

Sadly on August 5, 1962, Marilyn Monroe died in her home in Los Angeles at the age of 36. Joe DiMiaggio claimed her body and arranged her funeral. For 20 years he delivered half a dozen roses to her crypt three times a week.

“Behind the makeup & behind the smile
I’m just the girl who wishes for the world”