They were two iconic figures of the 20th century, representing different worlds: Hollywood and baseball. Their relationship became one of the most talked-about love stories of the 20th century. She was the most popular actress, and he was a baseball legend. At first glance, everything looked perfect, but the reality was far more complicated. Plagued by jealousy and infidelity, their brief marriage heavily impacted Marilyn’s emotional state, and her husband’s envy threatened to end her acting career. More on losangeleska.
How They Met
Joe DiMaggio was a star for the New York Yankees baseball team. He first saw the actress on screen and was immediately smitten. Through mutual acquaintances, he invited Marilyn on a first date. The actress was surprised by the invitation, knowing only that the athlete was a confirmed bachelor. Yet, her curiosity won out, and she agreed to meet. It was a blind date. Marilyn was hours late, offering only a smile as an excuse. Joe, arriving in a sharp suit, did not try to rush things and successfully charmed the actress. Their dates were intimate and peaceful. They had dinner in restaurants, walked the streets of Los Angeles, and talked extensively about various topics. Joe had a calm, reserved, and serious demeanor. These were the very qualities that captivated Marilyn, who felt that Hollywood men often displayed only superficiality and arrogance. When Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio met, she was just 25, and he was 37. One takeaway from that first meeting was that Marilyn knew nothing about sports, and Joe wasn’t interested in filmmaking. People spoke of how Joe was obsessed with Marilyn, madly in love, or overly protective of her. However, from the very beginning of their relationship, Joe displayed classic signs of manipulation, narcissism, controlling behavior, jealousy, and even physical violence. Indeed, the relationship between Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio contained elements of abuse, mostly emotional, and possibly physical. This issue has been raised in various Marilyn biographies and accounts from people close to the couple. Some sources claim that Joe DiMaggio may have resorted to physical violence.
The 1950s were a successful period for Marilyn Monroe. She was actively filming movies, including “How to Marry a Millionaire” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” During this peak time, Marilyn firmly cemented her status as the sex symbol of American cinema. Meanwhile, Joe DiMaggio’s career had already ended. Marilyn lived carelessly; she loved money, allowed herself to eat in bed, and didn’t bother with household chores. Joe found this behavior unacceptable but hoped she would change. Monroe’s biographers suggest that the famous baseball player Joe DiMaggio was chosen as a husband for the actress by the heads of the film studio where she was working. They reportedly decided that the famous athlete could be the ideal partner for Marilyn, and their union would attract public attention.
The Marriage
On January 14, 1954, Marilyn and Joe were married in San Francisco. It was front-page news across all media outlets. Their union seemed perfect: the “Queen of Hollywood” and the “King of Baseball.” They spent two weeks in Palm Springs, which was a wonderful time for the couple. They were not pursued by journalists or fans and enjoyed each other’s company. However, beneath the glamorous facade, tension was brewing. Joe longed for a traditional family life, while Marilyn was at the peak of her career and refused to give up her dreams. The situation changed after a joint trip to Japan. As soon as the couple stepped off the plane, fans blocked their way, forcing them to exit through the baggage area. This greatly irritated Joe. Furthermore, Monroe was invited to perform for a massive number of soldiers in Korea. She was ecstatic after the performance, but her husband was furious. His jealousy grew stronger and stronger.
Their marriage was fleeting, lasting only nine months. Yet, that was enough time for them to realize that compromise was difficult. Joe was intensely jealous of Marilyn and disliked the constant attention she received. The culmination was the famous incident during the filming of “The Seven Year Itch,” when Marilyn filmed the iconic scene over the subway grate. The scene became legendary, but for Joe, it was a public humiliation. He could not accept his wife being seen in such an exposed image. He nearly assaulted the director and demanded an explanation. Back home, the couple had a monumental fight. They separated after nine months and filed for divorce. Throughout their relationship, Joe insisted that Marilyn quit her job and become a housewife. She consistently told him she wasn’t ready, but Joe persisted. Joe was difficult to be around; he was gloomy and withdrawn. Marilyn loved inviting a few friends over for coffee at the end of the day, but when Joe was around, she was in a bad mood.
The Divorce
In October 1954, Marilyn filed for divorce. She claimed that Joe tried to control her life and that she could not live under constant pressure. Their union ended, but their feelings for each other remained. After the divorce, they managed to maintain a good relationship. During difficult times, Marilyn would call him. And when the actress was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 1961, it was Joe who helped secure her release and recovery.
Marilyn’s personal life after the divorce was very eventful. Eighteen months later, she remarried to the writer Arthur Miller. However, that marriage also did not last long.
Infidelity During the Marriage
One of Monroe’s most famous affairs was with politician John F. Kennedy. The relationship lasted over seven years, beginning when John was a senator from Massachusetts and Marilyn was still married to DiMaggio. The future lovers met at a party and were immediately interested in each other. These were difficult times for Marilyn. She was abusing alcohol, taking antidepressants, and was emotionally volatile. She hid the infidelity from her husband, would call Kennedy at any time of day or night, and threw tantrums. Marilyn threatened to tell the press about their relationship, dreaming of becoming the First Lady of America. In August 1962, Monroe planned to make public her diary, which detailed her affair with the president. However, the actress died one day before that date. The official cause of death was an overdose of sleeping pills.
A Devotion That Lasted a Lifetime
Eighteen months before her death, the couple grew close again. They even planned to remarry and had already set a date: August 8, 1962. Preparations were underway, and Marilyn’s wedding dress was almost ready. But on August 5, Marilyn Monroe passed away. Joe DiMaggio never spoke ill of his ex-wife. He also never remarried. Even after Marilyn’s death in 1962, he organized her funeral. For the next 20 years, he brought fresh flowers to her grave every week and loved only her until the end of his days.
The story of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio is a tale of a love that could not overcome conflict but left a deep impact on both their hearts. Despite the brevity of their marriage, the connection between them was genuine. Joe loved Marilyn until the end of his life, and their story became a symbol of both passion and the complexity of relationships between two incandescent personalities.