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Birth Date
Marilyn Monroe was born on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles California. Prior to becoming the iconic star, her original birth name was Norma Jeane Mortensen ("File:Marilyn Monroe Birth Certificate.jpg."). Growing up without a father, Monroe had a difficult childhood being taken away from her mentally ill mother which resulted in foster care (Schwartz). -
First Magazine Cover
In this photo Norma Jeane Mortensen was photographed for the cover of The Family Circle magazine. She was posed in a Wizard of Oz looking outfit playing foundly with a lamb. It was this photo which gained the public eye of hollywood and her first studio contract with Twentieth-Century Fox, just four months after the cover was released ("Marilyn Monroe: Classic Magazine Covers! | Photo 1 of 29 | EW.com."). When Norma signed with Fox they insisted on her creating a screen name. The word “Marilyn” -
First Magazine Cover cont.
came from the actress Marilyn Miller, and her last name “Monroe” came from her mothers maiden name. From that point on she was known as Marilyn Monroe (Schwartz). The image reflects Marilyn’s youthful innocence before she was engulfed in the world of Hollywood. Just by changing her name it is obvious that Marilyn is already being controlled by producers and managers. Many Hollywood stars that start off their careers this young have many hardships down the road. -
Marilyn Poses For a Nude Calendar
On May 27, 1949 Marilyn Monroe posed for photographer Tom Kelley to be put in a nude calendar. At the time young Marilyn was broke and somewhat desperate for money so when she had this offer for $50 she took it (Schwartz). Little did she know it would show up again later on in her life, ““I was a week behind on my rent,’ she explained. ‘I had to have the money. A photographer, Tom Kelley, had asked me before to pose but I’d never do it. This time I called him and said I would. Tom didn’t think a -
Marilyn Poses For a Nude Calendar
Tom didn’t think anyone would recognize me. My hair was long then. But when the picture came out, everybody knew me. I’d never have done it if I’d known things would happen in Hollywood so fast for me” ("Danamo's Marilyn Monroe Pages."). Although she was desperate for money, there are other ways to obtain it. This moment in her life definitely hurt her reputation in the eyes of many, and trumped her innocence. -
Marilyn's First Movie
A Ticket To Tomahawk Trailer In August of 1949 Marilyn landed her first big break as an actress for the film A Ticket To Tomahawk. The film was an old western movie ("MARILYN MONROE A TICKET TO TOMAHAWK TRAILER."). At this time Marilyn was very young and just starting off her acting career. Although she did not play a major role in A Ticket To Tomahawk, she showed her youthful potential to what would land her many roles to follow. -
Marilyn's Iconic Photo
On September 15, 1954 Marilyn Monroe shot what might have been one of her most well known photographs. In “The Seven Year Itch” image, which might be as famous as her, Marilyn was sporting a white dress and heels. She stood laughing above a New York City subway grate as her dress blows in the wind (Boardman). This image is one of Marilyn's most famous moments. Her famous white dress, short blonde hair, and red lipstick is still mimicked today. -
Sings "Happy Birthday" to JFK at Madison Square Garden
Happy Birthday Mr. President Marilyn Monroe gave president John F Kennedy a special birthday gift, singing “Happy Birthday Mr. President” for him at Madison Square Garden ("Marilyn Monroe - Happy Birthday Mr. President."). Just a month prior to this event Marilyn and JFK took a trip to Palm Springs. These events started a flurry of rumors that Marilyn and JFK were indeed having an affair (Schwartz). These rumors reflect poorly on both Ma -
Sings "Happy Birthday" to JFK at Madison Square Garden cont.
These rumors reflect poorly on both Marilyn and JFK’s reputation, although they were never truly confirmed. -
Marilyn's Death
On August 5, 1962 Marilyn Monroe was pronounced dead. The official cause of death is said to be a drug overdose on sleeping medication. However, many believe in other causes such as an accident or murder. Many say that Marilyn was happy right before her shocking death and that she was in the process of remarrying, had upcoming movies and modeling events. The people that believe it was an accident say that Marilyn’s two doctors had miscommunicated and one prescribed her this sleep medication with -
Marilyn's Death
sleep medication without the other knowing. Others would want to perhaps believe in a more exciting tale, believe that Marilyn’s death was murder linked with the Kennedy family. Apparently Robert Kennedy was a suspect and had visited Marilyn that evening. Some say he was delivering news of John F Kennedy wanting to end things with Marilyn (Bell). Whatever the cause of death, in the end, the world lost a glamorous ionic figure.
