Berniece Baker Miracle: A Life of Love, Loss, and Secrets

The Early Years

Berniece Baker Miracle was born on July 30, 1919, in Venice, California, to Gladys Pearl Monroe and Jasper Newton "Jap" Baker. Her parents had a tumultuous marriage, and Berniece spent much of her childhood living with her grandparents. At the age of 19, she received a letter from Gladys Baker, the mother she had hardly known. The letter would set Berniece on a lifelong journey of discovery and heartbreak.

The Letter That Changed Everything

The letter from Gladys Baker arrived on a cold October day in 1938. In it, Gladys revealed that Berniece had a half-sister named Marilyn, who was living in Los Angeles. Berniece was stunned. She had never known of Marilyn's existence, and she was eager to meet her. She traveled to Los Angeles and met Marilyn for the first time. The two sisters quickly bonded, and they spent many happy years together.

However, their happiness was short-lived. In 1946, Marilyn was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Berniece was devastated. She spent the next several years caring for Marilyn, but the disease progressed rapidly. In 1962, Marilyn was admitted to a mental hospital, where she spent the rest of her life.