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Jenna Jameson is an icon. She's not just one of the most well-known performers in adult entertainment history, she's launched businesses, written a New York Times bestseller, and overcome a tremendous amount of adversity in her life.
Let's just say there's more to her than meets the eye. Here are a few things you probably didn't know about the "Queen of Porn."
Jenna Jameson was born Jenna Massoli on April 9, 1974. She has an older brother named Tony.
Source: E! Online
She lost her mother to skin cancer around the time of her second birthday. From them on James was primarily raised by her father and grandfather.
Source: E! Online
Her mother's cancer treatment bankrupted the family, and Jameson and her brother grew up in a trailer. Their father worked as a sheriff.
Source: The Age
Jameson originally tried to follow in her Las Vegas showgirl mother's footsteps. She worked as a dancer, a model, and finally a stripper (making $2,000 a night).
Source: E! Online
It was at the strip club where she was recruited to do porn shoots at age 19. She changed her name to Jenna Jameson in 1991; she liked that it reminded people of the whiskey.
Source: E! Online
Jameson's life wasn't easy as she broke into porn. She was raped twice when she was in high school, and developed a drug problem — along with her brother AND their dad.
Source: The Age
Not long after she entered the adult-entertainment industry, Jameson began making bank (i.e., millions) for her films and photoshoots, like the centerfold Playboy shoot below.
Source: CNN
Jameson branched out from performing in porn to directing it, and started a number of successful, related businesses. Her holding company, ClubJenna, brought in tens of millions of dollars a year.
Source: Forbes
She also signed a six-figure deal to write an autobiography at age 30, "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star." The book became a New York Times bestseller.
Source: E! Online
Jameson has twin sons and no longer performs in adult films, announcing her retirement at the 2008 AVN adult movie awards.
Source: XFanz
She's also the "mom" to an adorable pitbull puppy named Shogun.
Source: Instagram/@jennacantlose
Jameson's dad died in 2010 after complications from heart surgery. "He was the only person in my life who raised me and made me who I am," she told Radar Online. "Even though I’m grown with children you’re never ready for it."
Source: Radar Online
After being charged for driving under the influence a few years ago, Jameson went full steam ahead on her sobriety. She even launched an Instagram support group for sober women, @sobergirlsrule.
Source: Earn The Necklace
She's now engaged to a super hot Israeli guy, Lior Bitton. She converted to Judaism in advance of their wedding this year (welcome to the tribe, Jenna!), and the two are reportedly set to star in an Israeli reality show as they plan the event.
Source: Earn The Necklace
Follow her on Instagram! Her account, @jennacantlose, is full of inspirational quotes, hints to projects she's working on, and cute AF pitbull puppy pics.
