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Famous People You Didn’t Know Were Orphans

Being orphaned is the last thing one would want. However, life can sometimes be cruel and may deprive children of their parents early in their life. While some lose their way after losing their parents, some put their tragedy behind them and go on to achieve success. Here is a list of those people who became famous despite being orphaned at an early age.

1. Marilyn Monroe

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Marilyn Monroe
Birthday: 01 June 1926
Born In: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died On: 04 August 1962
Famous As: American Actress Who Became One of the Most Popular Sex Symbols of the 1950s and Early 1960s

Marilyn Monroe's father abandoned her after his divorce from her mother. After her mother was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was institutionalized, Monroe became a ward of the state. She was brought up at different homes of people known to her.

2. Nelson Mandela

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Nelson Mandela
Birthday: 18 July 1918
Born In: Mvezo, South Africa
Died On: 05 December 2013
Famous As: Anti-Apartheid Activist Who Served as the First President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999

The deceased President of South Africa and one of the leaders of the anti-apartheid movement, Nelson Mandela, was adopted by his father's friend at the age of 9 after his father died.

3. J. R. R. Tolkien

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J. R. R. Tolkien
Birthday: 03 January 1892
Born In: Bloemfontein, South Africa
Died On: 02 September 1973
Famous As: Author of 'The Hobbit' & 'The Lord of the Rings'

J.R.R. Tolkien lost his mother in 1904 after his father had passed away a few years ago. He was brought up by a catholic priest.

4. Steve Jobs

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Steve Jobs
Birthday: 24 February 1955
Born In: San Francisco, California, United States
Died On: 05 October 2011
Famous As: Co-Founder, Former Chairman and CEO of 'Apple'
Steve Jobs' biological parents never married as his biological mother Joanne Carole Schieble's family did not approve of her relationship with his biological father Abdulfattah John Jandali, an Arab Muslim. After giving birth to Jobs, Schieble put him up for adoption. Subsequently, he was adopted by Clara and Paul Jobs.

5. Ray Charles

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Ray Charles
Birthday: 23 September 1930
Born In: Albany, Georgia, United States
Died On: 10 June 2004
Famous As: Singer-songwriter

Ray Charles' father abandoned his family when Ray was a toddler. At the age of 14, he lost his mother, and he went and stayed with his mom's friend Charles Wayne Powell.