Scandalous Facts About Marie McDonald, The Original Gone Girl
Forget Elizabeth Taylor or Frances Farmer. Taylor’s tumultuous marriages and Farmer’s public breakdown can’t quite match the twisted story of Marie McDonald, who not only got wrapped up in scandal…she relished it.
She might not be as well-known as her contemporaries—but considering what she did, it’s no wonder that Hollywood tried to erase her. Strap in for these jaw-dropping facts about Marie McDonald, the original gone girl.
1. She Followed In Their Footsteps
The lives of Marie McDonald’s parents foreshadowed their daughter’s ultimate trajectory.
Before Marie McDonald was born, her mother was a performer in the Ziegfeld Follies, a series of Broadway theatrical productions popular in the early part of the 20th century.
She left New York and headed for Burgin, Kentucky, where she met Everett Frye, a prison warden.
Fittingly, Marie would spend time on stage—and as a prisoner.
2. She Had A Stage Mom
Marie’s father barely had his chance to make a mark on her. After all, her parents divorced when she was six. Not only did her mother quickly move on, she took the family to Yonkers, New York, where Marie grew up.
Sure, she came to be known as ambitious—but considering she was raised by a classic stage mom, it’s not surprising.
One thing about Marie McDonald, though—she was never going to stay under anyone’s thumb for too long.
3. She Was A Dropout
Marie showed great promise in school and even got an offer for a scholarship in Columbia University’s journalism program—but she already knew what she wanted, and a career behind a typewriter wasn’t it.
She entered pageants and started modeling before dropping out of high school at 15. Marie was moving fast—in more ways than one.
4. She Jumped In Feet First
Long before Britney Spears or Kim Kardashian got quick annulments after making a big marital mistake, Marie McDonald had the market cornered. In 1940, she met and fell in love with sportswriter Richard Allord. This short union became just the first in the series of tempestuous relationships throughout her life.
McDonald and Allord were wed for all of three weeks before they sought an annulment—all for a shocking reason.
