Candy Stevens: The Untold Story of Charles Manson’s Ex-Wife

Candy Stevens is one of the lesser-known people in the life of Charles Manson, the man who controlled the cult behind the Manson Family murders in 1969. Most of the information regarding Manson focuses on him and his crimes; that’s why, her in his life, Candy Stevens is truly a mystery.

She made Manson her husband for a short time and bore him a child but was able to break free from his grip before he built his notorious crime empire. This article will explore Candy Stevens’ life.

Candy Stevens: Birth, Parents, and Early Life

There have been claims that Stevens is most likely not her real name, with some publications citing her true name as Leona Rae Musser.

Nevertheless, her place of birth, parents, and childhood remains a mystery, but most likely she was born in the United States during the 1940s to early 50s.

When meeting Charles Manson, she was reportedly already involved in prostitution. Most of the women who followed Manson later came from broken homes, so it is possible that Candy had a rough life before meeting him.

Candy Stevens and Charles Manson: A Troubled Relationship

Who Was Charles Manson?

To properly comprehend the role of Candy Stevens, it is crucial to first comprehend the details of the life of Charles Manson.

Manson was born on 12th November 1934 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He had a rough childhood. His mother, Kathleen Maddox, was a young alcoholic who did not pay much attention to him.

His early life was spent in reform schools and juvenile detention centers, and as he got older, he started committing petty crimes.

Because of his ongoing legal troubles, Manson became a career criminal. First, he resorted to theft and fraud and eventually started pimping.

He spent years in and out of prison. He was a gifted con man and used his charisma and psychological tactics to control those around him.

How They Met

In the late 1950s, Candy Stevens came across Charles Manson when he was knee-deep in his illegal ventures of prostitution and other fraudulent practices. She was one of the many women that he employed as prostitutes.

Manson made women feel loved and depended on him emotionally and psychologically. He often claimed to be a guardian, offering better future prospects while simultaneously taking advantage of their weaknesses.

Marriage to Charles Manson

In 1959, Candy Stephens married Charles Manson, who used the marriage as a way to avoid jail time. Immediately following the marriage, Manson lost interest in Stephens.

Despite Manson’s numerous legal problems, Stephens supported him in court by claiming that he was a changed man and that she and her unborn child needed him.

Manson was, however, sentenced to 10 years in prison for violating parole despite her testimony. Their marriage was short-lived, and he became separated from her when he was freed in 1967.

Their Child – Charles Luther Manson

While married, Candy Stevens and Charles Manson had a son whom they named Charles Luther Manson.

Unlike his older brother, Valentine Michael Manson, who became an outspoken public figure, Charles Luther chose to live a quiet and mundane life away from the media.

Separation and Divorce

As Manson was charged and served time in prison, Candy Stevens left her spouse, finalized the divorce, and went off the radar with their son. Unlike women who later on fell victim to Manson’s cult, she desecrated the influence and schemes of the manipulation early on.

Charles Manson’s Rise as a Cult Leader

While Candy Stevens disappeared from Manson’s life, her ex-husband would go on to become one of the most infamous cult leaders in history.

The Birth of the Manson Family

Manson was released from prison in 1967 and moved to San Francisco and later Los Angeles. By this time he had formed a group of followers, mostly consisting of young girls who he was able to easily manipulate using drugs and psychological methods accompanied by his charisma.

Manson convinced his followers that he was a messianic figure, predicting a race war he called “Helter Skelter,” inspired by The Beatles’ song.

The Manson Family Murders

Manson’s radicals enacted the diabolical plan of race turmoil he had devised by slaughtering innocent people in August 1969.

The most known murders are those of actress Sharon Tate, wife of renowned filmmaker Roman Polanski, and her friends on August 8-9, 1969. Tate, who was eight months pregnant, was stabbed multiple times. The next night, the LaBianca murders took place, with another innocent couple brutally killed.

Manson was eventually arrested and sentenced to life in prison. He remained behind bars until his death on November 19, 2017.

Candy Stevens Net Worth

Due to the fact that Candy Stevens has completely exited the public sphere, it is impossible to determine her net worth.

Unlike others associated with high-level criminals, she did not publish any books, give public interviews, or exploit her name.

Considering her history, she could have simply led a normal, boring life away from the spotlight of the ex-husband.

Final Words

Candy Stevens’s association with Manson makes her important in his history; she is perhaps one of the few people who managed to escape several of the horrors that Manson popularly orchestrated. While remaining a peripheral figure in the life of Manson, she attempted to live her life in peace, free from his influence.