Charles Stanley Gifford was Marilyn Monroe’s biological father. Born in Newport County, Rhode Island, on 18 Sep 1898, Charles was married to Lillian Priester, with whom he shared two children. He died at the age of 66 on 27 June 1965. His death occurred in Hemet, Riverside County, California, and he was buried at the San Jacinto Valley Cemetery in San Jacinto, Riverside County, California, USA.
Throughout his life, Charles never wanted to acknowledge Marilyn as his biological child, though the Hollywood movie icon made repeated attempts to get him to listen to her. Charles actually told Marilyn to her face that he didn’t have anything to say to her, advising the actress to contact a lawyer. Reports said Charles’ continuous rejection of Marilyn didn’t do her any good at all. In fact, she would end up very irritated after each failed attempt and at one point, she called Charles a “son of a bitch”
Who Was Marilyn Monroe’s Father?
For several decades, the issue of the identity of Marilyn’s father has been a subject of heated debate even after the beautiful actress was dead and gone. However, the truth finally came to light in 2020.
The final secret of Marilyn Monroe is now revealed.
Yep we finally know who her biological father is "Charles Stanley Gifford" #MarilynMonroe watch her documentary "Marilyn Monroe's Her Final Secret"
— ???? BlueWorld ???? (@BlueR00n) May 7, 2022
Many versions of her father’s identity exist. There is an account that claims Marilyn’s mother, Gladys Monroe Baker, told her she was sired by a famous actor in Hollywood. Another version of the same tale emerged claiming Gladys once told Marilyn that her dad was a man named Charles Stanley Gifford who used to work with her in the same company called RKO Studios. At the studio, Charles worked as Gladys’ superior.
The Sun reported that Gladys showed her daughter a framed picture of a man, telling the actress that it was her father’s picture.
Apart from the aforementioned versions of the story, a third account also claimed that Gladys’ ex-spouse, Martin Edward Mortensen, may have been her father since it was his name that was listed on the actress’ birth certificate in the portion for father. However, Martin’s prolonged absence from Marilyn’s life is an indication that he didn’t sire the lady.
It’s (almost) June 1st which means it’s time to share Marilyn’s life story. Marilyn was born at 9:30 am to Gladys Pearl Monroe. Gladys listed her second husband, Edward Mortensen, as the baby’s father, although her dad was actually Charles Stanley Gifford.
— Classic Blondes (@classicblondess) June 1, 2022
Finally in 2022, 57 years after Charles passed on and 54 years in memory of Marilyn, the truth was finally proved that Charles Stanley Gifford was her father. This proof was gotten via a DNA test conducted the same year. Performing the test, the scientist used a strand of the late actress’ hair in addition to cheek swabs and saliva from Charles’ granddaughter, Francine Gifford Deir, who was then 75, and Lisa who is his great-granddaughter.
Immediately after paternity was proved beyond a reasonable doubt, many started sharing social media content about the features father and daughter had in common, and looking at their pictures together, you can’t help but agree.
There’s not much room for doubt that Charles Stanley Gifford was Marilyn Monroe’s father. The line of the cheek is so similar, the little hamster pouch at the mouth, the slightly bulbous nose and the sweetly rounded features.
— Rebby K (@RebsTweet) March 16, 2022
A confirmation of this paternity test is written in black and white in a French documentary entitled Marilyn, Her Final Secret. The release date for the production was June 2022.
Finding DNA in Marilyn’s Strand of hair was Nearly Impossible
According to reports, the experts nearly couldn’t find any DNA in the strand of hair they got from Marilyn Monroe. The reason for this was that the Hollywood star was born a brunette but probably because of fashion, bleached her hair several times that nearly all the DNA had gone.
However, at the end of the day, they were finally able to get 22 percent of the lady’s genetic profile thanks to that keratin which still harbored a DNA fragment.
Speaking to Variety, Francois Pomès, the director who took charge of the “Marilyn, Her Final Secret” documentary revealed that the mortician who embalmed the late actress’ body the day she passed on was the one who took out the strand of hair.
The hair was eventually kept safe at the coroner’s office till it was needed to conduct the DNA test.
Charles Gifford is a Rhode Island Native
Charles Stanley Gifford’s place of birth is listed as Newport County, Rhode Island in the United States and reports revealed that Marilyn Monroe’s biological father was born on the 18th of September 1898. Obviously an American by nationality, Charles has a White ethnic heritage.
Gilford was never a celebrity, thus, it is difficult to find detailed information about his life from any source. However, it is common knowledge that Marilyn’s biological father was married and his wife’s identity was revealed to be Lillian Priester. They had their wedding in 1919 but the details are not known. Their union was blessed with two children who are not equally known. Charles and Lillian eventually ended things in divorce a few years later.
The couple’s divorce suit revealed that Gilford is the culprit as Lillian accused him of physical and mental abuse during their time together as a couple. She also accused Charles of addiction to narcotics, and hobnobbing with women of very ‘low character’, Gladys inclusive.
What Did Marilyn Monroe’s Father Do for a Living?
The version of the story that claimed Marilyn Monroe’s father worked in Hollywood as a movie star turned out to be false. The true account is the one that says Charles and Gladys were colleagues at RKO Studios.
Following his divorce from Lillian, Charles started working at Consolidated Films; which used to be a renowned Hollywood movie-developing company. There are accounts that claim he met Gladys during his days at Consolidated where he filled the position of a hypershooter and developer.
During the later part of his life, Charles Stanley Gifford went to put down roots in Gilman Hot Springs, Riverside County in California where he owned and ran some cottage apartments. In the long run, Marilyn’s biological dad relocated to San Jacinto and eventually, he founded and managed the Red Rock Dairy.
The business which was founded in the 1960s sold dairy products like baked goods and ice cream to people through a makeshift window in the front. Charles organized his sales process so that customers can get their orders without bothering to come down from their vehicles.
Charles’ employees confirmed that even his estranged daughter, Marilyn Monroe would avail herself of the services sometimes. Whenever she was going to Palm Springs, California in her chauffeured limo, the American movie star would deliberately get her dad to fill her others while she remained in the car
