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The story at the beginning -

Vera Jayne Palmer was her given name, but she assumed the name Jayne Mansfield after marrying John Mansfield in May 1950.

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Talented entertainer -

During her childhood, she received instruction in voice, dance, piano, and violin. Showing a passion for performing, she aspired to become a Hollywood star similar to Shirley Temple.

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Odd jobs -

Before becoming famous in Hollywood, she had various jobs, one of which was being a candy girl at a cinema.

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Hidden secret -

At the age of 17, she got married for the first time while being three months pregnant. Her daughter, Jayne Marie Mansfield, was born in November 1950.

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Serial marriages -

Jayne Mansfield, who had been married three times, had a total of five children. Her daughter, Mariska Hargitay, is an actress recognized for her portrayal of Olivia Benson in the television series 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.'

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Intelligent blonde -

Although she may have embodied the stereotype of a "dumb blonde" visually, she possessed great intelligence. It is said that her IQ reached 163, and she had proficiency in five different languages.

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The truth is... -

Actually, her blondness was not genuine. Mansfield, originally a brunette, decided to dye her hair platinum blonde when she relocated to Los Angeles in 1951.

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Controversy -

The actress gained significant attention for her highly publicized life and her infamous "wardrobe malfunctions," which were incidents where she appeared distracted but intentionally exposed herself in front of the camera.

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The unforgettable red bikini -

During a highly notable incident, a red bikini inexplicably came untied when Jayne dove into a pool in front of paparazzi.

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Roaming gaze -

She attracted significant attention for her extramarital relationships and is rumored to have had romantic involvements with men such as Robert and John F. Kennedy.

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Pink and pretty -

The celebrity chose pink as her distinctive color and she took her image very seriously: she dressed in pink, drove a pink car, and purchased a house she named "the pink palace."

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Pets -

Jayne Mansfield, not Paris Hilton, is credited with popularizing the image of a blonde woman accompanied by a chihuahua. She had a strong affection for animals, especially chihuahuas.

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Beauty contests -

During her prime, she achieved success in numerous beauty pageants, declining some peculiar titles like Miss Roquefort Cheese.

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Playmate -

Mansfield, along with Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, and Anita Ekberg, was one of the original Playboy Playmates. She held the title of Playmate of the Month in February 1955.

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Custody dispute -

After Mansfield's appearance in Playboy magazine, her husband John Mansfield sought custody of their daughter in August 1956.

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Hollywood's doors open for Jayne -

She starred in movies like 'The Girl Can't Help It' (1956), 'The Wayward Bus' (1957), and 'Too Hot to Handle' (1960).

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Awards -

Despite her brief career in film, she was able to receive recognition through a Theatre World Award and a Golden Globe.

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Getting noticed -

In 1963, her role in ‘Promises! Promises!’ made her the first major Hollywood actress to appear fully naked in a film. The movie was banned in several cities in the US because of the number of scenes in which Mansfield is exposed.

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Blonde rivalry -

She was frequently compared unfavorably to Marilyn Monroe, who was seen as the more refined of the two women.

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Business skills -

During her peak fame, she displayed her entrepreneurial skills by selling bottles of her previously used bath water for $10 each.

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Music -

In 1965, she recorded two songs with Jimi Hendrix that were unfortunately never released.

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A near miss -

In November 1966, while visiting a theme park in California, a lion bit her son Zoltán on the neck.

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A near miss -

Fortunately, he survived the incident; however, he experienced significant head injuries and required three surgical procedures. As a result, the theme park was ultimately shut down.

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Tragedy -

The actress tragically passed away at the age of 34 in a car accident. Her vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer at a high speed, which was difficult to see due to the presence of insecticide fog. Instantly, she and two other adults in the car lost their lives. Fortunately, her three children, who were seated in the back, survived.

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Tragedy -

Rumors circulated after the accident suggesting that Mansfield had been decapitated, however, these rumors were false. It was only her wig that had become entangled in the shattered windshield.

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Hard to believe -

The Buick she was travelling in at the time of the accident was later bought by a fan several years after the incident. The car was showcased at car exhibitions before being sold at an auction for $8,000 in 1999.

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Daughter Mariska Hargitay announces documentary -

In April, the actress and producer Mariska Hargitay announced that she was stepping behind the camera for a deeply personal project: directing 'My Mom Jayne,' a new documentary exploring the life and legacy of her mother.Set to premiere on Max this June, the film marks Hargitay’s feature directorial debut. The documentary will chronicle Mansfield’s career and untimely death at 34, as well as Hargitay’s journey to connect with the mother she lost at just three years old in a tragic car accident.Described as a story of “strength in vulnerability,” the project features intimate interviews, previously unseen home footage, and rare photographs. According to Hargitay, it’s not only a tribute but also a way to embrace the mother she never knew.

See also: Famous models turned musicians

© NL Beeld