Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, model, and singer who became a cultural icon and sex symbol during the 1950s and 1960s.
Born Norma Jean Mortensen on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, she was married at the age of 16 to Jim Dougherty, who was 21 at the time.
Marilyn’s childhood was tumultuous, with a series of foster homes and guardians due to her mother’s inability to provide for her daughter, given her father’s lack of financial support and paranoid schizophrenia.
On August 5, 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Brentwood, Los Angeles home at the age of 36.
Her psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, discovered her body after breaking a window to enter her room.
The doctor immediately declared her dead and called the emergency services. The police arrived and took her body to the Westwood Village Mortuary for an autopsy.
Despite the official cause of death being ruled as “acute barbiturate poisoning,” there have been numerous conspiracy theories surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s death.
Some believe she was murdered, while others speculate that she was driven to suicide due to her alleged affairs with high-ranking political figures.
Following her death, several reporters bribed the morgue guards to acquire photos of Marilyn’s body.
Many reporters snapped these images, which were purportedly displayed in a Hollywood museum before being relegated to the archives.
Despite her death, her body continued to be fetishized and idolized.
Marilyn’s personal effects and belongings, including her clothing, jewelry, and other items, were auctioned off after her death.
Some of these items fetched high prices, with her famous white dress from The Seven Year Itch selling for over $4 million at an auction in 2011.
Marilyn Monroe remains a cultural icon to this day, with her image and likeness appearing on merchandise, posters, and even tattoos.
Her legacy has inspired countless artists, filmmakers, and musicians over the years, and she is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential figures in popular culture.
Despite the ongoing fascination with Marilyn Monroe and her legacy, it’s important to remember that she was a real person with hopes, dreams, and struggles just like anyone else.
Her tragic death at a young age serves as a reminder of the toll that fame and fortune can take on a person’s mental and emotional well-being.
