Charles Manson Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Son, Killings, Family
Charles Manson Biography
Charles Milles Manson was a notorious cult leader behind the Manson Family murders, whose dark influence reshaped America’s view of crime. He was born on November 12, 1934 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He experienced a turbulent childhood marked by neglect, juvenile reformatories and early criminal activity. Eventually he changed his surname to “Manson,” adopting his step-father’s name.
In 1967, Manson formed a commune in California known as the Manson Family, filled with young followers and hippie culture. He preached a bizarre ideology, including the concept called “Helter Skelter” — a race war he claimed the Beatles’ music incited. Between August 8-9, 1969 his followers committed brutal murders including actress Sharon Tate and others at two Los Angeles homes.
In 1971 Manson was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for his role in the killings, even though he did not personally wield the murder weapon. Originally sentenced to death, his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment when California abolished the death penalty in 1972.
Manson spent more than half his life behind bars, and he died on November 19, 2017 at the age of 83 from natural causes in Kern County, California. His legacy endures as one of America’s most infamous criminals and cult leaders, inspiring countless books, films and documentaries.
Overall, Charles Manson’s life presents a chilling blend of charisma, manipulation and violence that still haunts American culture. Despite his death, his actions and ideology remain a warning against the dangers of cult dynamics and unchecked power.
Charles Manson Age
Charles Manson was born on November 12, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The notorious cult leader died on November 19, 2017, at 83 years old. He spent over four decades in prison for orchestrating multiple murders in 1969. Even in his final years, Manson’s age symbolized a long life marked by crime, manipulation, and enduring infamy in American criminal history.
Charles Manson Height | How tall was Charles Manson?
Charles Manson stood at a height that generated much discussion. He often appeared in records as 5’2″ (157 cm) tall. However, he claimed at one point he hovered at 5’6″ (167 cm). His stature contrasted sharply with his outsized influence as a cult leader and criminal mastermind. Although height mattered little to his notoriety, his relatively small frame remains a notable detail in his profile.
Charles Manson Wife | Who Did the Notorious Cult Leader Marry?
Charles Manson married Rosalie Jean Willis in January 1955 when he was aged 20 and she was 16. They had a son, Charles Manson Jr., born in April 1956. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1958 while Manson served prison time. Later, Manson obtained a marriage licence in 2014 to wed Afton Elaine Burton (also known as “Star”), though the marriage never materialised. The early marriage to Rosalie Jean Willis remains his only legal spousal relationship.
Charles Manson Children | Sons
Charles Manson fathered three confirmed biological sons before his life imprisonment. Firstly, his eldest son, Charles Manson Jr. (later known as Jay White), was born in 1956 to his first wife, Rosalie Jean Willis. He changed his name and reportedly died by suicide in 1993 at age 40.
Next, his second son, Charles Luther Manson (later Jay Charles Warner), was born in 1960 to wife Leona Rae “Candy” Stevens. He kept a very low public profile and reportedly died in 2007.
Finally, his youngest son, Valentine Michael Manson (now going by Michael Brunner), was born in April 1968 to cult-member Mary Brunner. He was raised by his maternal grandparents and later changed his name, distancing himself from his father’s legacy.
Charles Manson Grandchildren
Charles Manson has one confirmed grandson, Jason Freeman. Freeman is the son of Manson’s eldest son, Charles Manson Jr. (later Jay White). A Florida court recognised Jason Freeman as Manson’s legal heir and awarded him Manson’s body after the cult leader died in 2017. Jason has publicly spoken about carrying the heavy legacy of his infamous grandfather.
Charles Manson Parents – Inside His Troubled Family Background
Charles Manson was born on November 12, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Kathleen Maddox, a 16-year-old mother. His father, Walker Henderson Scott Sr., abandoned the family before Manson’s birth. Later, Kathleen married William Eugene Manson, whose surname Charles eventually took.
Kathleen struggled with alcoholism and petty crime, often leaving young Charles without guidance. She even served time in prison during his childhood. As a result, Manson spent much of his youth in foster care and juvenile facilities.
This unstable family background and absence of strong parental figures deeply shaped Manson’s troubled early life and his later descent into crime.
Inside Charles Manson’s Houses | Spahn Ranch & 10050 Cielo Drive’s Haunting History
Charles Manson’s houses hold dark historical significance tied to his cult’s violent legacy. Spahn Ranch, located in Los Angeles County, served as the Manson Family’s home base during 1968 and 1969. Manson and his followers lived there, using the isolated ranch as a hideout for their criminal activities. The site later burned down in 1970 and now belongs to Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park.
Another key location was 10050 Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon, famously linked to the 1969 Sharon Tate murders. Though Manson never lived there, his followers carried out one of America’s most horrifying crimes in that house. The property was eventually demolished in 1994, and the address was changed to 10066 Cielo Drive to distance it from its grim past.
Both homes remain symbolic of Manson’s chilling control and the devastating reach of his cult.
Inside the Charles Manson Family
The Charles Manson Family was a notorious cult formed by Charles Manson in the late 1960s in California. The group started as a communal movement influenced by Manson’s manipulative charisma and his twisted interpretation of hippie counterculture. He attracted over 100 followers, mostly young women seeking freedom, love, and belonging.
Manson preached about an impending race war, calling it “Helter Skelter,” inspired by a Beatles song. He used LSD, psychological control, and isolation at Spahn Ranch to dominate his followers completely. Under his influence, members committed brutal murders in 1969, including the Sharon Tate and LaBianca killings, shocking the world.
The Manson Family’s crimes exposed the dark side of 1960s idealism, forever linking their name to one of history’s most disturbing cults.
Charles Manson Killings | The Tate-LaBianca Murders and the Manson Family Crimes
The Charles Manson killings remain among the most disturbing crimes in American history. In August 1969, Manson directed his followers, known as the Manson Family, to commit multiple brutal murders in Los Angeles.
On August 8–9, his followers invaded 10050 Cielo Drive, killing actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant, along with four others—Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Steven Parent. The murders were marked by extreme violence and chaos.
The following night, on August 10, the cult killed Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in their Los Feliz home. These attacks were intended to ignite a race war that Manson called “Helter Skelter.”
In total, Manson’s cult was linked to nine murders. His manipulation and control over his followers turned him into one of America’s most infamous cult leaders. The killings shocked the world and symbolized the dark end of the 1960s counterculture.
Charles Manson IQ | The Intelligence Behind a Dark Mind
Charles Manson had an IQ of 109 during his teenage years, showing above-average intelligence for his age. Later, a prison test recorded his IQ at 121, placing him in the high-normal range. Despite his strong intellect, Manson lacked discipline and formal education.
He used his intelligence not for good but for manipulation and control, shaping the dangerous cult known as the Manson Family. His sharp mind, paired with charisma and delusion, made him one of history’s most chilling figures.
Charles Manson Netflix Documentary | CHAOS: The Manson Murders Overview
The Netflix documentary CHAOS: The Manson Murders, directed by Errol Morris, premiered on March 7, 2025. It investigates the infamous 1969 murders carried out by the Manson Family and challenges the established “Helter Skelter” narrative. The film draws on Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O’Neill and explores alleged links between Charles Manson, the CIA’s MKULTRA program, and mind-control experiments. While it presents compelling theories, the documentary stops short of definitive conclusions.
Charles Manson Interview | Key Moments From His Infamous Jailhouse Talks
In a 1981 interview featured on 60 Minutes Australia, Charles Manson spoke directly from prison about his life and beliefs. He claimed to still seek freedom and framed himself as a misunderstood figure. Later in a 1986 conversation with Charlie Rose, Manson declared, “I am the most famous person who ever lived.” He also discussed his infamous swastika-carved forehead and addressed his public image in detail. Moreover, he denied taking direct part in the killings while holding ultimate control over the Manson Family. Overall, these interviews revealed his manipulative personality and continuing fascination with fame, rather than remorse.
Charles Manson Net Worth
Charles Manson’s net worth was estimated at around $400,000 at the time of his death in 2017. However, later reports suggested his estate could reach $1 million, including royalties, artwork, and memorabilia. Due to California’s Son of Sam laws, Manson couldn’t profit from his crimes. Today, his estate remains disputed, with multiple parties claiming rights to his image and personal writings.