A Picture of Jayne and Paul Mansfield in 1950

Born Vera Jayne Palmer in 1933, the future icon eloped with 20-year-old Paul Mansfield in 1950, just before graduating from high school. A year into their marriage they welcomed a baby girl, Jayne Marie Mansfield, while they were both studying acting at Southern Methodist University.

Jayne said of Paul, “Paul was twenty and the handsomest boy in our crowd. He was a terrific party boy and had the most beautiful eyes. I think I married him for his eyes. So 9 and 1/2 months later I had a little baby girl.”