Bonnie and Clyde were famous Americans who began robbing and killing during the Great Depression. Bonnie Elizabeth Parker was born on October 1, 1910, in Rowena, Texas, and Clyde Chestnut Barrow was born on March 24, 1909, in Ellis County, Texas. They are believed to have met on January 5, 1930, at the home of Clarence Clay, a friend of Clyde’s, in West Dallas. They were reportedly madly in love from the moment they met, and many believe Bonnie followed Clyde because she was blinded by love. In 1932, Clyde formed a gang that robbed stores and gas stations, including Bonnie.
Interesting facts about Bonnie and Clyde:
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow never married legally. Bonnie Thornton was legally married to Roy Thornton and had their names tattooed together on her knee.
Clyde was arrested shortly after meeting Bonnie for previous crimes he had committed and was on the run from.
Bonnie smuggled a gun into Clyde’s cell to aid in his escape. Clyde was apprehended and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Clyde had the letters ‘USN’ tattooed on his arm because he wanted to join the United States Navy. He was turned down for medical reasons and did not take it well.
Clyde was charged with stealing a truck full of turkeys when he was younger.
While on the run, Bonnie and Clyde left behind a film roll containing personal photos from across the country. The film was created and distributed through newspapers across the country.
Buck, Clyde’s brother, was also a criminal who was killed in a police shootout in 1933. Blanche, Buck’s wife, was also a criminal and was apprehended when Buck was killed.
Bonnie stood at 4’11” and Clyde stood at 5’4″. Even for the time, when men and women were shorter than they are today, they were short.
Clyde cut off two toes while serving time in a labor camp, not realizing he was about to be released. He was released a few days later as a result of his mother’s persuasion of a judge.
Bonnie was imprisoned for two months after she began committing crimes with Clyde. She began writing poetry while serving her sentence.
Bonnie aspired to be an actress, while Clyde aspired to be a musician. Instead, they robbed banks and stores and murdered anyone who stood in their way.
When Clyde kidnapped people, he frequently gave them money so they could return home after he released them.
While on the run, Bonnie and Clyde frequently stopped to visit family. This is how the Texas Rangers eventually found them.
Bonnie and Clyde were set up by the father of a gang member, and the Texas Rangers were waiting for them the day they were killed.
During their spree, Bonnie and Clyde robbed 15 banks.
Bonnie and Clyde wanted to be buried together, but after they were shot and killed, Bonnie’s mother made certain they were buried separately because she disliked Clyde.
Every year, a festival is held to commemorate Bonnie and Clyde’s ambush. Several films have been made about the couple, and numerous books have been published.
