35 Facts About Charles Manson Wife

Early Life and First Marriage

Charles Manson's early life was chaotic and unstable, setting the stage for his tumultuous relationships. His first marriage was no exception.

1. Charles Manson was born to Kathleen Maddox, a 16-year-old alcoholic and prostitute. His father's identity remains unknown, and he was later given the surname of William Manson, a man his mother briefly married.

2. At age 5, Manson's mother was arrested for burglary and sentenced to three years in prison. This led to Manson being taken in by an aunt and uncle in West Virginia, but he continued to be a troublesome youth.

3. By age 12, Manson was placed in the Gibault School for Boys in Terre Haute, Indiana. This reform school was notorious for its violence, intimidation, and rape. Manson later said he survived there by learning to act "crazy."

4. In January 1955, Manson married Rosalie Jean Willis, a 17-year-old hospital waitress. The couple moved to California and had a son, Charles Manson Jr., who later died by suicide in the 1990s.

5. By 1956, Willis had left Manson with their child to be with her new lover. She divorced Manson two years later, marking the end of his first marriage.

Second Marriage and Continued Criminal Activity

Manson's second marriage was equally fraught with instability and criminal undertakings.

6. In 1959, Manson married Leona Rae “Candy” Stevens, a sex worker. With Stevens, he had a second son, Charles Luther Manson.

7. Stevens divorced Manson in 1963. This marriage, like his first, was short-lived and marked by Manson's continued criminal activities.

8. Manson spent half of his first 32 years behind bars. During his time in prison, he dedicated himself to perfecting his powers of persuasion, studying books like “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.

9. Manson was released from prison on March 21, 1967. He headed to San Francisco just in time for the hippie counterculture’s “Summer of Love,” finding a multitude of potential devotees among the thousands of young people there.

Formation of the Manson Family

Manson's relationships took a darker turn as he formed what would become the infamous Manson Family.

10. In April 1967, Manson met and moved in with 23-year-old Mary Brunner in Berkeley. He convinced Brunner to let other women move in with them, eventually forming the core of the Manson Family.

11. The Family expanded rapidly, with 18 women initially joining them. They relocated to the Los Angeles area before the end of the Summer of Love.

12. They settled on the Spahn Movie Ranch in Death Valley. This unused collection of Western film sets was owned by George Spahn, who was 80 years old and blind. Family members did maintenance work and provided Spahn with sex in exchange for housing.

Manipulation and Control

Manson's ability to manipulate and control his followers was a key aspect of his relationships.

13. Manson used various psychological techniques to manipulate his followers. These included isolation, indoctrination, and drug use, exploiting their vulnerabilities and fears.

14. He convinced his followers that he was a messianic figure with apocalyptic visions. This belief system, known as “Helter Skelter,” was central to his manipulation tactics.

15. In August 1969, Manson ordered his followers to carry out a series of grisly murders. These included the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders, which shocked the nation.

Later Relationships and Death

Even in prison, Manson continued to form controversial relationships.

16. In 2013, Manson became engaged to Afton Elaine Burton, a 27-year-old woman. She wanted to claim his body when he died to put it in a glass exhibition for money. The relationship ended unceremoniously.

17. In November 2014, Manson and Burton obtained a marriage license. However, their marriage license expired in 2015, and allegations were made that Burton primarily intended to marry Manson for financial gain after his death.

18. Manson died on November 19, 2017, of natural causes while being held at Corcoran Prison. Official reports state he died of cardiac arrest resulting from respiratory failure and colon cancer.

19. Three people claimed his body, but it was Manson’s grandson, Jason Freeman, who took and cremated it in March 2018. Despite his death, Manson’s twisted ideology and dark legacy continue to captivate public fascination.

Impact on Popular Culture

Manson's life and relationships have left a lasting impact on popular culture.

20. Charles Manson’s story has inspired many serial-killer themed documentaries and films. These include “Manson” (1973), “Helter Skelter: An American Myth” (2020), “Wolves at the Door” (2016), and “The Manson Family” (2003).

21. Manson discouraged his cult members from wearing glasses. He believed it would help them see the world more naturally, leading to some members suffering permanent squints.

22. Manson banned watches, clocks, and calendars among his followers. This was another method of control, keeping them disoriented and dependent on him.

23. Manson was described by probation reports as suffering from a “marked degree of rejection, instability, and psychic trauma.” These psychological issues played a significant role in shaping his behavior and actions.

24. Manson’s early offenses included pimping and passing stolen checks. In 1961, he was sent to McNeil Island prison in Washington State for 10 years, where he learned to read music and play the guitar.

25. The Beatles' success convinced Manson that rock music could be a powerful tool for exerting influence. He wrote and sang songs, believing music could be used to manipulate and control people.

26. At age nine, Manson set his school on fire. This was the first of many heinous acts he committed.

27. Manson’s mother once traded him for a pitcher of beer. A waitress complimented Manson’s looks, and his mother left him at the bar after being served the drink. Manson’s uncle later tracked him down and brought him back home.

28. Manson was sent to various reform schools, including Indiana Boys School and Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. Each time he escaped or was transferred, he ended up under bridges, in the woods, or anywhere else he could find shelter.

29. While at Indiana Boys School, Manson was allegedly raped by other students under the instructions of a staff member. This traumatic experience contributed to his later behavior.

30. Manson developed a self-defense tactic called the “insane game.” He would grimace, screech, and wave his arms to suggest he was insane, deterring potential attackers.

31. Manson relied on different sources for inspiration, including books and songs. He believed music could be used to manipulate and control people, leading him to write and sing his own songs.

32. Manson and his followers were convicted of nine counts of first-degree murder. However, the LAPD believes the Family could have claimed responsibility for up to 35 murders.

33. Manson’s trial was highly publicized, with many witnesses testifying against him. Despite not physically committing the murders himself, he was found guilty of orchestrating them.

34. Manson’s initial death penalty sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. This followed the abolishment of the death penalty in California in 1972.

35. Manson’s legacy is one of terror and manipulation. His crimes shattered the myth of peace and love associated with the counterculture movement of the 1960s.

The Legacy of Charles Manson's Relationships

Charles Manson's life was a whirlwind of chaos, manipulation, and crime. His relationships, especially with his wives, paint a picture of a man who thrived on control and exploitation. From his early marriage to Rosalie Jean Willis, which ended in heartbreak and abandonment, to his later marriage to Leona Rae “Candy” Stevens, Manson's personal life was as tumultuous as his criminal endeavors. His engagement to Afton Elaine Burton in his later years further showcased his ability to attract and manipulate even from behind bars. These relationships, marked by instability and manipulation, were a microcosm of the larger Manson Family dynamic. Manson's legacy, marred by his heinous crimes and the psychological grip he held over his followers, serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by charismatic yet malevolent leaders. His story continues to captivate and horrify, leaving an indelible mark on history.