Marilyn Monroe

Actress Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California. During her all-too-brief life, Marilyn Monroe overcame a difficult childhood to become of the world's biggest and most enduring sex symbols. During her career, Monroe's films grossed more than $200 million. A real rags to riches story.

In her younger life, She never knew her father, and her mother Gladys, developed psychiatric problems and was eventually placed in a mental institution. Growing up, Monroe spent much of her time in foster care and in an orphanage. She married her boyfriend Jimmy Dougherty on June 19, 1942 and was later discovered by a photographer. Her marriage fizzled out as Monroe focused more on her career. The couple divorced in 1946—the same year she signed her first movie contract. The movie contract came a new name and image, she began calling herself "Marilyn Monroe" and dyed her hair blonde.

The emerging sex symbol was paired with another bombshell, Jane Russell, for the musical comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). The film was a hit and Monroe continued to find success in a string of light comedic fare. After this Monroe's career skyrocketed. Marilyn Monroe was often times casted in movie roles as the hot and sexy blond.

She became internationally known for her blond hair, fashion, soft voice, and rowdy behavior. In December of 1953 Marilyn Monroe was featured in the first issue of Playboy Magazine. This helped make Monroe a sexual icon and she gained interest from many powerful men, supposedly including the Kennedy brothers.

 She married famous baseball star Joe Dimaggio and later famous playwright Arthur Miller. Monroe notably traveled overseas to perform and dance for thousands of soldiers fighting in the Korean War. During the 1950s and 60's, Marilyn Monroe was idealized by millions of American men and women.

At only 36 years old, Marilyn Monroe died on August 5, 1962, at her Los Angeles home. An empty bottle of sleeping pills were found by her bed. It was officially ruled as a drug overdose, thus a probable suicide. Marilyn Monroe is ingrained in American History as the first women sex symbols. Monroe was not another a beautiful bombshell, but what she represented was much more important. She represented a new image for women. She embodied everything about the word sexiness and complete sophistication. Marilyn Monroe was, is, and always will be a fierce female.