Marilyn Monroe, one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, was married three times but never had children. Despite her deep desire to become a mother, her personal health struggles stood in the way.
Monroe battled endometriosis, a condition where the lining of the uterus grows outside, causing painful complications. Though she wanted children, she faced significant challenges in her attempts to conceive, especially during her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller.
Monroe was pregnant three times while married to Miller, but two of those pregnancies ended in miscarriage, and the third was an ectopic pregnancy. These heartbreaking experiences took a toll on her emotionally and physically.
Despite her desire for a family, Monroe was often torn between her career and the dream of becoming a mother. She confided in her friend, poet Norman Rosten, wondering whether she should leave Hollywood to focus on trying to have a baby.
“That’s what I want most of all: the baby,” she shared after a miscarriage. However, the repeated pregnancy complications made her question whether fate was working against her.
Her struggles with fertility also affected her marriage to Miller. Rumors suggested that Miller, who was reportedly disappointed by their inability to have children, made Monroe feel ashamed, adding stress to their already complicated relationship.
This contributed to their eventual divorce in 1961. Monroe’s wish for children was never fulfilled, and the challenges she faced in her personal life remain a poignant aspect of her tragic and complex legacy.