Joe DiMaggio, famously known as “Joltin’ Joe,” was an American baseball icon who played for the New York Yankees for his entire 13-year career.
Known for his prowess on the field, his life off the field was equally storied and complicated, especially when it came to his only child, Joe DiMaggio Jr.
Joe DiMaggio Had Only One Kids With His First Wife
Joe Jr. was born in San Francisco on October 23, 1941, to DiMaggio and his first wife, actress Dorothy Arnold.
Although Arnold was hopeful that DiMaggio would become a devoted father and husband with the birth, that vision never came to fruition.
DiMaggio, known for his extreme focus on baseball and socializing at his New York City hang-out, Toots Shor’s, found it difficult to commit to a family life.
This detachment led to a divorce between DiMaggio and Arnold after a lengthy and explosive custody battle in which they eventually agreed to share custody of their son.
Though Joe Jr. grew up under his father’s fame, he didn’t inherit the same love for baseball.
Instead, he pursued football at a prep school in New Jersey, where he was known as a talented kicker and a bright student.
Joe Jr. attended Yale University briefly in 1960 but struggled to adapt to the cold Eastern winters.
He ultimately left and returned to Los Angeles, working various odd jobs.
Soon after, he joined the Marine Corps, hoping to find a sense of purpose.
Joe Jr. Lost His Beloved Stepmother Marilyn Monroe
In 1962, while serving in the Marines, he called his stepmother, Marilyn Monroe, with whom he had a close relationship.
Tragically, that night, Monroe passed away from an apparent overdose.
This loss added to a row of difficult experiences for Joe Jr., whose life continued to be marked by fluctuation.
After losing his beloved stepmother, he returned to civilian life; Joe Jr. drifted from job to job, eventually working at his uncle Dom DiMaggio’s polyurethane foam company near Boston, where he met and married Sue Adams, who had two daughters from a previous marriage.
The couple later migrated to California, where Joe Jr. managed a polyurethane foam business his father co-owned.
Though he showed promise in his role, he struggled under his father’s expectations, which led to tension between them.
This strain led Joe Jr. down a path of drinking, drug abuse, and escalating arguments with his wife, which eventually led to divorce in 1974.
Following this period, Joe Jr. suffered a severe car accident, which left him with lasting brain damage.
A Strained Relationship Between DiMaggio and His Son
Joe Jr.’s relationship with his father remained rough as he continued to drift, struggling with both physical and emotional challenges.
Joe Sr. bought a $75,000 Peterbilt truck cab, but Joe Jr. never achieved stability.
By the late 1980s, he worked sporadic jobs and lived in a trailer near Martinez, California, his father’s hometown.
Joe Sr. searched Martinez for his son, sometimes offering cash, but often faced rejection in their estranged relationship.
In a rare interview with “Inside Edition” in 1996, Joe Jr. opened up about his absence at his father’s side while Joe Sr. battled cancer in Florida.
Joe Jr. was estranged from Joe Sr., who left him a $20,000 trust fund and part of Yankee Clipper earnings.
Joe Jr., who spent only five months benefitting from this inheritance, passed away on August 7, 1999, at the age of 57, just a few months after his father’s death.
Joe DiMaggio, aka Joltin’ Joe’s Kid, Had An Ex-Wife
Joe DiMaggio Sr.’s legacy as a baseball legend remains untarnished.
His bond with Joe Jr. reflects strained fatherhood, unfulfilled expectations, and the heavy toll of fame.
Joe DiMaggio Sr. cherished his bond with Joe Jr.’s ex-wife and stepdaughters, calling them his grandchildren.
Joe DiMaggio Jr. dealt with family fame, navigating stability, hardship, and his search for identity.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Joe DiMaggio Jr. was previously married for just one year to a 17-year-old from San Diego before he married Sue Adams.
- His father, DiMaggio Sr., married Marilyn Monroe at San Francisco City Hall on January 14, 1954.
- Joe DiMaggio, aka Joltin’ Joe, passed away on March 8, 1999, at the age of 84.
