Marilyn Monroe: A Timeless Icon – Unveiling the Life, Love, and Legacy

Marilyn Monroe, born as Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, was a famous American actress, model, and singer. She was well-known for her roles as a comedic “blonde bombshell” and became a major sex symbol in the 1950s and early 1960s. Monroe was a top-billed actress for ten years, and her movies earned a whopping $200 million (equivalent to $2 billion in 2022) by the time of her death in 1962. Even long after she passed away, Monroe remains an iconic figure in pop culture. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked her as the sixth-greatest female screen legend from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Monroe had a challenging childhood, spending most of it in foster homes and an orphanage before getting married at the age of sixteen. During World War II, she worked in a factory, and her career took off when she started a successful pin-up modeling career. This led to short-lived contracts with 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures. After some minor film roles, she signed a new contract with Fox in 1950, becoming a popular actress with roles in comedies like “As Young as You Feel” and “Monkey Business,” as well as dramas like “Clash by Night” and “Don’t Bother to Knock.”

By 1953, Monroe was one of the most sought-after Hollywood stars, starring in films like “Niagara,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” and “How to Marry a Millionaire.” Her images even graced the first issue of Playboy magazine’s centerfold and cover. Monroe faced a scandal when her nude photos from before her fame were revealed, but it didn’t harm her career; instead, it increased interest in her films.

Despite facing challenges, Monroe played a significant role in managing her public image. She founded her own film production company in 1954 and began studying method acting at the Actors Studio. Despite a brief suspension in 1954, she returned to star in “The Seven Year Itch” in 1955, a massive box office success. In 1955, she also secured a new contract with Fox, providing her more control and a higher salary. Her later roles included a praised performance in “Bus Stop” (1956), and she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for “Some Like It Hot” (1959).

Monroe’s personal life was often troubled, marked by struggles with addiction and mood disorders. Her marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller were highly publicized and ended in divorce. Tragically, she passed away on August 4, 1962, at the age of 36, from a barbiturate overdose at her Los Angeles home. Her death was ruled a probable suicide.

1926–1943: Childhood and Early Marriage

Marilyn Monroe, originally named Norma Jeane Mortenson, was born on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California. Her childhood was marked by family challenges, with her mother, Gladys Pearl Baker, marrying twice, facing abuse, and eventually having a mental breakdown. Monroe’s early years were spent in foster homes and an orphanage.

Despite the difficulties, Monroe’s early childhood was relatively stable and happy. She lived with evangelical Christian foster parents in Hawthorne and later with her mother in Hollywood. Unfortunately, Gladys struggled with mental health issues, leading to Monroe becoming a ward of the state.

Monroe’s living situations changed frequently, and by the age of 16, she married James Dougherty to avoid returning to the orphanage. The marriage, however, was challenging, and Monroe felt unfulfilled and bored.

1944–1948: Modeling and Initial Film Roles

During World War II, while Dougherty was stationed in the Pacific, Monroe worked at a munitions factory. It was there that she met photographer David Conover, leading to her entry into modeling. She became a successful pin-up model, catching the eye of various publications.

In 1946, Monroe signed with an acting agency, leading to a screen test at 20th Century-Fox. Despite initial skepticism from studio executives, she was given a contract. Monroe’s first film roles were small, but her career gained traction with films like “All About Eve” and “The Asphalt Jungle.”

Her personal life saw ups and downs, including a short-lived marriage to Dougherty, and a romantic relationship with Johnny Hyde, a William Morris Agency executive. Hyde’s support helped secure Monroe a seven-year contract with 20th Century-Fox.

1949–1952: Breakthrough and Stardom

Monroe’s popularity soared in the early 1950s. She received acclaim for her roles in “Clash by Night” and “Don’t Bother to Knock.” Despite a scandal involving nude photos from her past, public sympathy increased her appeal. Monroe’s films capitalized on her newfound fame, including “We’re Not Married!” and “Monkey Business.”

In 1952, Monroe’s romantic life took a prominent turn when she began dating baseball star Joe DiMaggio. This period marked her emergence as a sex symbol, with fan letters pouring in, and her image featured on the cover of Life magazine.

However, behind the scenes, Monroe faced challenges. Her reputation for being difficult to work with grew, attributed to a mix of perfectionism, low self-esteem, and stage fright. She also battled anxiety and chronic insomnia, leading to the use of substances. Despite her rising fame, Monroe struggled with the condescension and sexism she faced in the industry.

As her career progressed, Monroe’s life became increasingly complex, setting the stage for the highs and lows that would define her legacy.

In 1953, Marilyn Monroe starred in three movies that made her a big deal in Hollywood. The first one, “Niagara,” where she played a seductive character, caused some controversy due to its bold scenes. Despite protests, the movie became popular. Her second film of the year, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” established her as a “dumb blonde” persona. Monroe’s third movie, “How to Marry a Millionaire,” was a major success at the box office. She became a sex symbol and a top earner in Hollywood.

Monroe faced conflicts with 20th Century-Fox due to her outdated contract and disagreements with studio executives. In 1954, she married baseball legend Joe DiMaggio to counter negative publicity. Despite the challenges, she continued to make successful films like “The Seven Year Itch” and “Bus Stop.”

In 1956, Monroe’s marriage to DiMaggio ended, and she married playwright Arthur Miller. She faced struggles in her personal life, including health issues and a miscarriage. Monroe’s career continued with successful films like “Some Like It Hot,” earning her critical acclaim.

The early 1960s marked a decline in Monroe’s career. She faced personal difficulties, including her divorce from Miller and health problems. Monroe began the film “Something’s Got to Give” in 1962 but was fired by the studio due to health issues. Despite negotiations to resume the project, Monroe’s life took a tragic turn, leading to her untimely death in 1962.

Monroe’s legacy endures, and her contributions to Hollywood and her enduring status as a cultural icon remain significant.

Death and Funeral of Marilyn Monroe

In the last months of her life, Marilyn Monroe lived in a house in Los Angeles. On August 4, 1962, her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, sensed something was wrong and called Monroe’s psychiatrist, Ralph Greenson. He found Monroe dead in her bed. Her physician, Hyman Engelberg, also arrived and confirmed her death. The Los Angeles Police Department was notified.

Monroe died from acute barbiturate poisoning between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on August 4. The toxicology report showed high levels of chloral hydrate and pentobarbital in her blood and liver. Empty medicine bottles were found near her bed. It was ruled out as accidental overdose because the dosages were much higher than lethal limits.

The Los Angeles County Coroners Office, assisted by the Suicide Prevention Team, classified her death as a probable suicide due to her history of fears, depressions, and past overdoses.

Monroe’s sudden death made headlines in the United States and Europe, causing a surge in newspaper circulation. Her funeral on August 8 was private, attended only by close associates, and arranged by Joe DiMaggio, her half-sister, and business manager. Despite being private, many spectators crowded the streets around the cemetery. Monroe was entombed in Crypt No. 24 at the Corridor of Memories in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.

Over the years, conspiracy theories, including murder and accidental overdose, have been proposed to challenge the official account of Monroe’s suicide. Still, investigations found no evidence of foul play.