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Bonnie Parker

Bonnie Parker was an American outlaw best known as half of the criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bonnie Parker was an American outlaw best known as half of the criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde. Born in Rowena, Texas, in 1910, she became associated with bank robberies and other crimes during the Great Depression. She was killed in a police ambush in Louisiana in 1934.

Early life

Bonnie Elizabeth Parker was born on October 1, 1910, in Rowena, Texas. Sources describe her as coming from a struggling family and note that she married Roy Thornton as a teenager.

Association with Clyde Barrow

Parker met Clyde Barrow in 1930, and the two became the most famous members of the Barrow gang. Their relationship connected her to a series of robberies, kidnappings, and violent confrontations with law enforcement.

Criminal activity

Bonnie and Clyde operated across several states during the Great Depression, with reports of bank robberies, small-business robberies, and killings. Their activities drew major media attention and a large law-enforcement manhunt.

Death and legacy

Parker was killed along with Clyde Barrow in a police ambush in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, on May 23, 1934. She later became a cultural symbol of outlaw romance, rebellion, and Depression-era notoriety.

Key facts

  • Bonnie Parker was born in Rowena, Texas, in 1910.
  • She became known as half of the criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde with Clyde Barrow.
  • The Barrow gang robbed banks and other businesses during the Great Depression.
  • Parker and Barrow were killed in a police ambush in Louisiana on May 23, 1934.
  • Her legacy has been romanticized in popular culture.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bonnie Parker?
Bonnie Parker was an American outlaw best known as one half of the criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde.
When was Bonnie Parker born?
She was born on October 1, 1910, in Rowena, Texas.
What crimes was Bonnie Parker associated with?
She was associated with bank robberies, other robberies, kidnappings, and violent crimes committed by the Barrow gang.
How did Bonnie Parker die?
She was killed by police in an ambush in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, on May 23, 1934.
Was Bonnie Parker married?
Yes. She married Roy Thornton before becoming known for her relationship with Clyde Barrow.

References

  1. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/crime/bonnie-parker
    Supports: Birth date and place, association with Clyde Barrow, criminal activity, and death
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bonnie-and-Clyde-American-criminals
    Supports: Crime spree dates, areas of operation, and death in Louisiana
  3. Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/bonnie-and-clyde
    Supports: Death in an ambush near Sailes, Bienville Parish, Louisiana
  4. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/bonnie-parker
    Supports: Early life, marriage to Roy Thornton, meeting Clyde Barrow, and role in the Barrow gang