The brief but intense marriage between Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe had a profound effect on both of them. DiMaggio’s intense love for Marilyn persisted even after their well-publicized divorce in 1954, especially following her untimely death in 1962. In order to express his unwavering love and sense of guilt over their tumultuous relationship, he set up a ritual of having fresh red roses carried to her grave three times a week for 20 years.
Their marriage in 1954 felt like a dream come true, and their love story started in 1952 when they met on a blind date. But their disagreements quickly turned into hostilities, particularly DiMaggio’s jealously and inability to deal with Monroe’s growing notoriety. Their divorce was finalized only months later, with Monroe claiming “mental cruelty,” following the iconic subway grate scene from The Seven Year Itch.
DiMaggio was a pillar of Monroe’s life even after they parted ways, supporting her through her personal hardships. DiMaggio oversaw her funeral when she passed away, keeping it private and preventing celebrities like the Kennedys and Frank Sinatra from going. He was so distraught that he spent years sending roses to her grave, lamenting the loss and feeling responsible for their marriage’s breakdown.
Joe DiMaggio preserved Marilyn’s memory by never getting married again. He expressed his enduring love and sadness by whispering that he will soon be reunited with her before passing away in 1999.
