Marilyn Monroe personified Hollywood glamour with her unparalleled glow and an energy that enamoured the world. Although she was an alluring beauty with voluptuous curves and a generous pout, Marilyn was more than a ‘50s sex goddess. She dominated the age of movie stars to become, without question, the most famous woman of the twentieth century.

Marilyn was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on 1st June 1926 in Los Angeles, California. She was the daughter of Gladys Baker, but the identity of her father was not clear and she was later baptized Norma Jeane Baker.

In 1944, Norma Jeane took a job on the assembly line at the Radio Plane Munitions factory in Burbank, California. Several months later, photographer David Conover saw her while taking pictures of women contributing to the war effort for Yank magazine. He couldn’t believe his luck - she was a photographer’s dream. Conover used her for the shoot and began sending modelling jobs her way. The camera loved Norma Jeane, and within two years she was a reputable model with many popular magazine covers to her credit. She enrolled in drama classes and dreamed of stardom. She signed her first studio contract with Twentieth Century Fox on 26 August 1946, who paid her $125 a week. Soon after, Norma Jeane dyed her hair blonde and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe (borrowing her grandmother’s last name). The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Marilyn’s first movie role was a bit part in ‘The Shocking Miss Pilgrim’, made in 1947. She played a series of inconsequential characters until 1950, when John Huston’s thriller ‘The Asphalt Jungle’ provided her with a small but key role. Later that year, Marilyn’s performance as Claudia Caswell in ‘All About Eve’ earned her further praise. Her performance in ‘Niagara’, made in 1953, was the one that brought her stardom. Marilyn’s consolidated her success with lead roles in the wildly-popular ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ and ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’. Photoplay magazine voted Marilyn the Best New Actress of 1953, and by the age of 27 she was undeniably the best-loved blonde bombshell in Hollywood.

On 14 January 1954 Marilyn married baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio. During their Tokyo honeymoon, Marilyn performed for the service men stationed in Korea. Her presence caused a near-riot among the troops, and Joe was clearly uncomfortable with thousands of men ogling his new bride. Unfortunately, Marilyn’s fame and sexual image became a theme that haunted their marriage. Nine months later, on 27 October, Marilyn and Joe divorced. They attributed the split to a conflict of careers, and remained close friends.

Marilyn wanted to pursue a serious acting career and moved to New York City to study under Lee Strasberg at his Actors’ Studio. In 1956 she started her own movie company, Marilyn Monroe Productions. The company produced ‘Bus Stop’ and ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’. These two films allowed her to demonstrate her talent and versatility as an actress. Marilyn received further recognition for ‘Some Like It Hot’, made in 1959, for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy.

On 29 June 1956, Marilyn married the playwright Arthur Miller. During their marriage, Arthur wrote the part of Roslyn Taber in ‘The Misfits’ especially for Marilyn. The movie co-starred Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift. The marriage between Marilyn and Arthur ended on 20 January 1961, and ‘The Misfits’ was Marilyn’s (and Gable’s) last completed film.

At the 1962 Golden Globes, Marilyn was named female World Film Favourite, once again demonstrating her widespread appeal. On the morning of 5 August 1962, 36-year-old Marilyn died in her sleep at her Brentwood, California home. The world was stunned. On 8 August 1962, Marilyn was buried in the Corridor of Memories at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.

During her career, Marilyn made 30 films and left one, Something’s Got to Give, unfinished. She was more than just a movie star or glamour queen. A global sensation in her lifetime, Marilyn’s popularity has extended beyond star status to icon. Today, the name Marilyn Monroe is synonymous with beauty, sensuality and effervescence. She remains an inspiration to all who strive to overcome personal obstacles and aim for the goal of greatness.

“Fame is fickle and I know it. It has its compensations, but it also has its drawbacks and I’ve experienced them both.” Marilyn Monroe