Today, Marilyn's (half) sister Berniece Miracle turned 102 and I am wishing her the most wonderful birthday! Berniece was born on July 30, 1919 to Gladys Baker and Jasper Baker. When she was just a young girl, her father took her and her older brother, Robert, away to live with him and at some point, his new wife. When Norma Jeane Mortenson was born to Gladys Baker and Stanley Gifford, several years later, Berniece remained unaware they had a sister until Norma was twelve and Berniece was nineteen. When Gladys wrote Berniece that she had a sister, an intimate and lovely relationship began to bloom. Berniece and Norma would stay in touch, sending letters back in forth to each other, becoming closer sisters. However, it wasn't until the autumn of 1944 that Norma Jeane and Berniece would finally meet each other for the first time in Detroit, Michigan- where Berniece, her husband: Paris, and their daughter: Berniece were living at the time. Berniece recalled seeing Norma the first time at the train station and stated: "I remember waiting at the train station in Detroit for Marilyn to appear that first time- of course, then she was still Norma Jeane. We had been writing to each other over the years and had exchanged pictures, but we had never met face to face. She'd told me she'd be wearing a cobalt suit and hat with a heart-shaped brim, but I worried that I wouldn't recognize her when she stepped off the train. There was no missing her! She stood out immediately from all the rest of the passengers, so tall and pretty and fresh. We were excited to finally meet, and we couldn't stop staring at each other. We had the same dark blond hair with a widow's peak, the same mouth, but our eyes were different- mine are brown and Norma Jeane's were blue like our mother's. I was so happy to have a sister. And so proud." Marilyn was also very proud and happy to have Berniece as a sister. As shown above, Marilyn sent a card to Berniece with a photo of herself (taken by Cecil Beaton in 1956) that read, "To my sister, Berniece, I wish I could have known you all my life. Love you, Marilyn".
Throughout's Marilyn life, Berniece and her would stay in touch by writing letters and telephoning each other frequently, along with once in a while in-person visits due to each other's busy schedules. Berniece and Marilyn were very close sisters and even better friends and confidants. Happy birthday, Berniece! We love you!
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AuthorHi there! My name is Sophia! Welcome to Mesmerizing Marilyn Monroe! ♡ (To read more about me and this corner of the internet, click here!) Archives
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