As one of the most iconic couples in Hollywood history, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe have been the subject of countless stories, rumors, and myths. However, one question that remains unanswered is whether Joe DiMaggio treated Marilyn Monroe well when they were together. We will attempt to answer this question by examining their relationship, the historical context, and the available evidence.
The Relationship of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe
Joe DiMaggio, a retired baseball player, and Marilyn Monroe, a rising actress, met in 1952, and soon became involved in a romantic relationship. Their courtship was intense and passionate, but also tumultuous and fraught with conflicts. DiMaggio, who was 12 years older than Monroe, was often jealous and controlling, and resented Monroe's fame and popularity. Monroe, on the other hand, was insecure and vulnerable, and craved DiMaggio's attention and affection. Despite these challenges, they got married in 1954, but their marriage only lasted for 274 days, as they filed for divorce due to irreconcilable differences.
The Historical Context of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe
To understand the dynamics of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe's relationship, it is essential to consider the historical context in which they lived. In the 1950s, the gender roles and expectations were very different from today. Women were often seen as inferior and subordinate to men, and their main role was to support their husbands and take care of the home. Men, on the other hand, were expected to be breadwinners and protectors, and to assert their dominance over women. In this context, it is not surprising that Joe DiMaggio, as a famous and wealthy athlete, felt entitled to control Marilyn Monroe, who was a younger and less established actress.
The Available Evidence on Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe's Relationship
While there is no definitive answer to whether Joe DiMaggio treated Marilyn Monroe well, there is ample evidence to suggest that their relationship was fraught with tension and conflict. For example, in his biography on Joe DiMaggio, Richard Ben Cramer describes how DiMaggio would often berate and humiliate Monroe in public, calling her derogatory names and criticizing her appearance and behavior. Cramer also notes that DiMaggio was physically abusive towards Monroe, and would slap her and pull her hair when he was angry or jealous. Similarly, in her memoir, My Story, Monroe recounts several instances of emotional and verbal abuse by DiMaggio, including his refusal to let her pursue her acting career, his demands for her to stay at home and cater to his needs, and his threats to harm her if she disobeyed him.
Based on the available evidence, it seems unlikely that Joe DiMaggio treated Marilyn Monroe well when they were together. While their relationship was undoubtedly complex and multifaceted, it is clear that DiMaggio's jealousy, control, and violence towards Monroe were not only harmful but also unacceptable. Therefore, it is important to remember that even the most celebrated and romanticized relationships can have dark and abusive sides, and that we should not excuse or minimize them for the sake of nostalgia or mythmaking.
