A young Marilyn Monroe with her mother at the beach — mashable.com

Gladys's best friend, Grace, was appointed Norma's guardian, but after two years she married and sent Norma to Los Angeles Orphans Home. Several people showed interest in adopting Norma, but Gladys would not sign the papers. After a time in further foster homes, Norma returned to live with Grace and her husband "Doc." He allegedly attempted to sexually assault her, so Grace moved the girl to live with her great-aunt Olive in California. There she was again the victim of a sexual assault, allegedly by Olive's son. Grace sent Norma to live with another aunt, Ana Lower. It may have been Ana's ill health that forced another move, this time back to Grace and her husband in 1942, when Norma was 16.

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