Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson, but she later changed it to the iconic stage name we know today. She chose Marilyn after actress Marilyn Miller, and Monroe was her mother's maiden name.
Marilyn spent much of her childhood in foster homes, as her mother struggled with mental health issues and was unable to care for her.
Marilyn was an avid reader and owned over 400 books, including works by Dostoevsky, Freud, and Hemingway. She was deeply interested in literature and intellectual discussions.
To avoid being recognized by the paparazzi, Marilyn would often wear a simple, inconspicuous disguise, including dark wigs and oversized sunglasses, to appear as a normal person.
Marilyn married for the first time at the age of 16 to James Dougherty, primarily to avoid returning to foster care when her foster family moved out of state.
Marilyn often felt insecure about her appearance and acting skills. She was known for being late on set and used to forget her lines due to anxiety about performing.
Marilyn was married to Arthur Miller, a popular and intellectual playwright. Their marriage was seen as an attempt for her to move away from the label “blonde bombshell” image.
One of her most famous moments is from the film The Seven Year Itch, where she stands in a billowing white dress. That dress later sold for a record-breaking $4.6 million at an auction.