Marilyn Monroe, then known by her birth name, Norma Jeane Mortenson, met her first husband, James Dougherty, at Van Nuys High School in California.
The Beginning of Their Relationship
Before her transformation into the iconic Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeane Mortenson's first significant relationship began during her high school years. She met James Dougherty while both were attending Van Nuys High School in California. This encounter led to their marriage on June 19, 1942, when Monroe was 16 years old and Dougherty was 21. Their union marked a pivotal, yet often overlooked, period in her early life before she achieved global fame.
Key Aspects of Their Meeting and Marriage
- First Husband: James Dougherty
- Meeting Place: Van Nuys High School, California
- Date of Marriage: June 19, 1942
- Marilyn's Age at Marriage: 16 years old
- Dougherty's Age at Marriage: 21 years old
