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Quick Facts
- NAME: Marilyn Monroe
- OCCUPATION: Film Actress, Pin-up
- BIRTH DATE: June 01, 1926
- DEATH DATE: August 05, 1962
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Los Angeles, California
- PLACE OF DEATH: Los Angeles, California
- Originally: Norma Jeane Mortensen
- Full Name: Marilyn Monroe
Best Known For
Actress Marilyn Monroe overcame a difficult childhood to become of the world's biggest and most enduring sex symbols. She died of a drug overdose in 1962.
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Marilyn Monroe - Childhood (1:57)
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Marilyn Monroe - Death (1:45)
Marilyn Monroe - Marriage to Joe DiMaggio
In 1952, Marilyn Monroe was introduced one of the biggest heroes in baseball, Joe DiMaggio. She was drawn to his quiet, conservative nature-- as well as the fact that he wasn't in show business.
Marilyn Monroe - Happy Birthday, Mr. President
On May 19th, Marilyn Monroe made history when she sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" provocatively to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden.
Marilyn Monroe - Childhood
Marilyn Monroe's mother was mentally unstable, causing Marilyn to grow up in foster homes, were she suffered abuse.
Marilyn Monroe - Death
Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her home on August 5, 1962. She died of an overdose of barbiturates at the age of 36.
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Play NowMarilyn Monroe. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 10:55, May 23, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123.
Marilyn Monroe. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123 [Accessed 23 May 2013].
"Marilyn Monroe." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 23 2013, 10:55 http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123.
"Marilyn Monroe," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123 [accessed May 23, 2013].
"Marilyn Monroe," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123 (accessed May 23, 2013).
Marilyn Monroe [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 23] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123.
Marilyn Monroe, http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123 (last visited May 23, 2013).
Marilyn Monroe. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-9412123. Accessed May 23, 2013.
In her personal life, she had a string of unsuccessful marriages and relationships. Her 1954 marriage to baseball great Joe DiMaggio only lasted nine months (she wed playwright Arthur Miller from 1956 to 1961).
On May 19, 1962,
Contents
Monroe made her now-famous performance at John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration, singing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President."
Death and Legacy
On August 5, 1962, at only 36 years old, Marilyn Monroe died at her Los Angeles home. An empty bottle of sleeping pills was found by her bed. There has been some speculation over the years that she may have been murdered, but the cause of her death was officially ruled as a drug overdose. There have been rumors that Monroe was involved with President John F. Kennedy and/or his brother Robert around the time of her death.
Monroe was buried in her favorite Emilio Pucci dress, in what was known as a "Cadillac casket"—the most high-end casket available, made of heavy-gauge solid bronze and lined with champagne-colored silk. Lee Strasberg delivered a eulogy before a small group of friends and family. Hugh Hefner bought the crypt directly next to Monroe's, and Monroe's ex-husband, Joe DiMaggio, famously had red roses delivered to her crypt for the next 20 years.
Monroe did not own a house until the last year of her life, and had surprisingly few possessions. One that she prized was an autographed photo of Albert Einstein, which included an inscription: "To Marilyn, with respect and love and thanks."
During her career, Marilyn Monroe's films grossed more than $200 million. Today, she is still considered the world's most popular icon of sex appeal and beauty, and is remembered for her idiosyncratic sense of humor and sly wit; once asked by a reporter what she wore to bed, she replied, "Chanel Number 5." On another occasion, she was asked what she thought of Hollywood. "If I close my eyes and think of Hollywood, all I see is one big varicose vein," she replied. Monroe is also remembered for her romantic relationships with Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Yves Montand and director Elia Kazan, in addition to her three marriages.
Monroe has been imitated over the years by a number of celebrities, including Madonna, Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani. Actress Michelle Williams portrayed Monroe ina 2011 film, My Week with Marilyn, about Monroe's relationship with Sir Laurence Olivier in 1957's The Prince and the Showgirl.
In 2011, several rarely seen photos of Marilyn Monroe were published in a book of photographs by famed photographer Sam Shaw. August 5, 2012 will mark the 50th anniversary of Monroe's death. A half century later, the world is still fascinated by her beauty and talent.
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Pucker Uppers
View groupThese pouty mouths have become so iconic, that they're almost celebrities on their own. Here are a few of our favorite full-lipped lovelies.
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Numerous Nuptials
View groupLife imitates art in Hollywood, where passionate romances turn into short-lived marriages and quickie divorces. Numerous nuptials are one of the hallmarks of the celebrity lifestyle. Hollywood royalty Elizabeth Taylor married eight times—even more than real royalty King Henry VIII, who married six times. Here's a look at the famous individuals who tied the knot—and then tied it again, and again, and again.
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USO Entertainers
View groupThe United Service Organization was founded in 1941, as a way to provide morale to service members through entertainment. Hollywood was happy to promote its patriotism (and its stars), and sent entertainers to combat zones, often in danger, to perform for the troops. From Marilyn Monroe to Stephen Colbert, many of the biggest names in showbiz have put on shows for the American service members around the world. Check out these famous USO entertainers.
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