Vintage Photos of the Most Iconic Old Hollywood Couples

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio met in 1952 on a blind date arranged in Los Angeles. The baseball legend was instantly protective of the rising actress, drawn to her vulnerability and fame. Their courtship unfolded between Hollywood and New York, watched closely by press and studio handlers.

They married in January 1954, but the union collapsed within nine months. DiMaggio’s jealousy and discomfort with Marilyn’s sex-symbol image, especially after The Seven Year Itch subway-grate scene, caused constant conflict. They divorced in October 1954, though he remained devoted to her until her death.