Jim Morrison loved Pamela Courson deeply, but he never trusted her, which is why it shocked many when he decided to leave her his entire inheritance. She was his muse and, according to some, the yin to his yang, but their relationship was not flawless.
Back in the day, Jim Morrison was the true definition of a rock star. He had the looks, a strong stage presence, and a soothing voice, all of which made him the perfect person to lead The Doors to superstardom in the 1960s.
Morrison was a great songwriter, but his greatest hits required inspiration, and like many writers before him, he got it from his lover, a beautiful woman named Pamela Courson.
Doors singer Jim Morrison (1943 - 1971) making a television appearance in Britain, circa 1970. | Source: Getty Images
According to Grunge, she was a rebellious lady who lived in the moment, which may have appealed to Morrison. They met at a nightclub in California in 1965; Morrison had been 22, and she had been a 19-year-old.
On the day of their meeting, Morrison's band, which was not yet famous, had been performing, and after they struck it off, the pair started dating.
Portrait of American singer Jim Morrison (1943 - 1971), leader of the rock band The Doors, on 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,' California, January 6, 1969. | Source: Getty Images
Ray Manzarek, a keyboardist for "The Doors," once confessed that he never knew someone else who could perfectly complement Morrison's strangeness. Morrison once claimed that Courson was his "cosmic partner," but their relationship was far from being an epic fairytale.
A LOVE THAT WAS NEVER CONSUMMATED
Singer Jim Morrison of The Doors with girlfriend Pamela Courson during a 1969 photo shoot at Bronson Caves in the Hollywood Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Courson and Morrison's relationship was one for the books, but not because it was flowery or all romantic; it was because of how odd it was. They both loved each other deeply, but it's no secret that they cheated on one another.
Morrison was known for his recklessness, and Courson took a name for herself as his rock star wife, referring to herself as Mrs. Morrison, chewing through his cash like a termite going through wood and even wearing a pricey wedding ring despite that they were never married.
Morrison loved her energy and was not perverse to give her whatever she wanted regardless of what it was or how much it cost. Whenever she wanted something, Morrison would call the accountant in charge of his funds and tell him to give her what she wanted.
Jim Morrison dances during the Doors' set at Fantasy Fair in Marin County, California, during the Summer of Love, 1967. | Source: Getty Images
Their relationship was one only they truly understood, but many believed that Courson was the tougher one, and she knew all of his deepest, darkest secrets.
Those that could have ruined him instantly — however, none of them ever escaped her mouth, and they both always ended up together whenever they cheated.
The stronghearted woman had started talking to her dog like she was talking to her late lover. She would also speak of him like he was still alive. Those close to them have claimed that all Morrison ever did was love Courson, but he never trusted her.
American Rock singer Jim Morrison (1943 - 1971), of the group the Doors, performs onstage at Town Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1967. | Source: Getty Images
The only time they attempted marriage was a year after they started living together. However, it did not happen because their marriage licenses were not notarized.
Despite that, Courson went on to take his last name, and Morrison made her the sole beneficiary of his immense wealth — an honor usually reserved for spouses or family. As things advanced between them, the two lovebirds tried their best to remain together.
American musician and singer (L-R) Jim Morrison (1943 - 1971) and Pamela Courson (1946 - 1974) embrace at the opening of 'The Beard' at the Warner Playhouse, California, January 24, 1968.| Source: Getty Images
He lived with her when he could, and they were always focused on each other whenever they were out in public.
One occasion people have never forgotten was a Christmas party that saw the pair ignore all other attendees, picking a spot on the steps and seating themselves quietly while enjoying the simple act of being.
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
Jim Morrison and Pamela Courson have a drink at the opening of 'The Beard' at the Warner Playhouse, California, January 24, 1968. Source: Getty Images
As stated earlier, Morrison loved his muse very much; however, that was not enough to stop him from stepping out on her several times, and she was not too shy to return the favor.
One of Morrison's jilted lovers ambushed Courson at her birthday party in L.A. and confronted her at one point in their relationship.
She wanted to let Courson know that she had been sleeping with her husband and had even aborted Morrison's child, but while she had been expecting a fight of some kind, Courson simply cut her off with an unconcerned remark.
CIRCA 1970: Photo of Jim Morrison. | Source: Getty Images
It was not her first rodeo with Morrison's former lovers and their abortions, and she was simply not fazed. She had a strong heart, and everyone was aware of it; in fact, there was a famous case where she made him cry after an argument they had.
At the time, Morrison had been trying to convince her to return to him, but she had refused, stating that he had to quit his band if he wanted her back, which he didn't like.
CIRCA 1960: Photo of Jim Morrison. | Source: Getty Images
So he argued with her as they lounged at an exclusive nightclub that night, which led to a fight that made him get drunk, after which he started crying and calling her names.
In the end, she threw her drink in his face and left. People applauded at the time, but no one was particularly worried. It was just another day in the paradise that was Morrison and Courson's.
HIS DEMISE AND THE AFTERMATH
Singer Jim Morrison of The Doors with girlfriend Pamela Courson during a 1969 photo shoot at Bronson Caves in the Hollywood Hills, California. | Source: Getty Imaged
Morrison passed away over five decades ago, but his demise's circumstances remain shrouded in mysticism. Courson was reportedly the one who discovered him dead in the bath at their apartment in Paris. He was 27.
An autopsy was never performed; however, his cause of death was identified as congestive heart failure allegedly triggered by a heroin overdose.
The widely accepted narrative was that he and his lover spent the evening listening to music and doing drugs, but Courson put him in a warm bath when he started reacting terribly to the drug.
CIRCA 1970: Photo of Doors. | Source: Getty Images
The bath was supposed to revive him from the overdose, but he did not make it and by the time emergency services arrived, waking him was an impossible task, so they pronounced him dead on the spot.
Courson has denied the narrative, and she insisted that they had spent the evening at the cinema before returning home to have dinner and going to bed afterward.
She said that he started feeling ill in the middle of the night and had gone to have a hot bath which is where she found him the following day.
Singer Jim Morrison of The Doors with girlfriend Pamela Courson during a 1969 photo shoot at Bronson Caves in the Hollywood Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Morrison was buried later on, but Courson, who had been his muse, ensured that all the pictures she had ever taken went with him to the grave.
It was a clear sign that she had loved him just as much as he loved her, but rumors about her started to spread after his death.
Many believed that she killed him for his money, and those who hated her were not perverse to spreading rumors that claimed she was selling her body around.
HER WEIRD BEHAVIOUR AFTER HIS DEATH
Singer Jim Morrison of The Doors with girlfriend Pamela Courson during a 1969 photo shoot at Bronson Caves in the Hollywood Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Courson was named the sole benefactor of Morrison's estate, but all that wealth hardly meant anything to the woman who had lost her cosmic partner.
After recovering from what happened in Paris, Courson returned to L.A., where she maintained her title as Mrs. Morrison, but something was different.
The stronghearted woman had started talking to her dog like she was talking to her late lover. She would also speak of him like he was still alive.
A picture shows the grave of US singer Jim Morrison at the Pere-Lachaise cemetery in Paris on October 16, 2014 in Paris. | Source: Getty Images
Later in November 1971, she filed to claim her inheritance, which allegedly included holdings in oil wells and ranchland in California.
However, his former bandmates immediately sued for what they called ample outstanding cash paid in advance to Morrison. It led to litigation that drained Courson of all but a few pennies.
COURSON DID NOT HOLD OUT FOR LONG
Meg Ryan who plays Pamela Courson, Morrison's companion and Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison who star in movie "The Doors" being filmed in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Courson passed on three years after her lover died. Those she lived with claimed that she had been taking a nap on April 25, 1974, and had let her sleep until they realized she should have stirred at least once during her siesta.
They discovered she was no longer breathing when they tried to rouse her and called the cops. One week after her demise, a probate judge awarded her a quarter of "The Doors'" future royalty income and a sum of half a million dollars, making her a wealthy woman in death.
Later on, there were rumors that she had been murdered by a former in-law member of the Morrisons, but an investigation found nothing like that. After her demise, her inheritance fell to her parents since she had no will, but in 1975, it was split in half, with the other going to the Morrisons.
Another star who left a loved one her inheritance is Farrah Fawcett. Read the full story here.
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