What a dame!  Just the mere mention of this legend brings respect in Hollywood.  Her legacy is surrounded in greatness, and tragedy.  The internet offers miles and miles and miles and miles and miles of information on the life and death of Marilyn.  You can find her full bio elsewhere, here I would like to point out the interesting stuff, while holding respect in tact.  So without further ado...

She was born Norma Jean Mortensen on June 1, 1926 at 9:30 am.  Her mother was a film-cutter at RKO who, widowed and insane, abandoned her to sequence of foster homes. She was almost smothered to death at two, nearly raped at six. At the age of nine the LA Orphans' Home paid her a nickel a month for kitchen work while taking back a penny every Sunday for church.  Needless to say, the childhood era for Marilyn was indeed rough.

Throughout her career, she spanned 30 films, and developed a cult following that still generates admirers today.  By the 1950's she had found common ground in the bizz, and found love. On January 14, 1954, Marilyn wed Joe DiMaggio, then proceeded to film "There's No Business Like Show Business". That was quickly followed by "The Seven Year Itch", which showcased her considerable comedic talent and contained what is arguably one of the most memorable moments in cinema history.  Life was good, for the moment anyway. 

 

Her and DiMaggio lived in this home in Bel Aire, CA.  The marriage was "almost" over from the beginning (why I said, "for the moment), and in October of 1954, Marilyn announced her divorce from DiMaggio. The union lasted only eight months.

 

She moved outta the house in Bel Aire - and into this one, in Brentwood.. Kitchen?  Living room?? (Living room when Marilyn lived there).. Study?  Office?? THE BEDROOM?!?  Ain't reality GRAND??  Photo snappers like me line up when it goes on sale!!  Especially if'n it's Marilyn's hume! FoSho! 😉

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In 1955 - no doubt - she thought herself to be VERY popular - & no doubt thought she could scamp out on work because of it..  20th Century FOX didn't share her opine, & she was suspended for not reporting for work on 'How to Be Very, Very Popular'. It was her second suspension, the first being for not reporting for the production of "The Girl In Pink Tights". Both roles went to others. Her work was slowing down, due to her habit of being continually late to the set, her illnesses (whether real or imagined) and generally being of the attitude that, "I'M MARILYN BITCHES!!" - thus - not willing to cooperate with her producers, directors, and fellow actors. 

In 1962 Marilyn was chosen to star in FOX's "Something's Got to Give."  FOX (no doubt) thinking the 'title' of the film might keep her on task... UrrUmm - Again, her absenteeism caused delay after delay in production, resulting in her being fired ALL TOGETHER from the production.

 

It looked as though her career was finished. Studios just didn't want to take a chance on her because it would cost them thousands of dollars in delays. She went into seclusion in her Brentwood home. 

 

On August 5, 1962, her housekeeper found her dead body, nude and lying face down on her bed, (**WARNING - death scene picture - if that sorta thing grosses you OUT?!?  Then DON'T click!!).. Marilyn - apparently the victim of an overdose of sedatives.  See script found at scene??  Phenergan is purportedly used to treat allergies.  Hysteria broke out at her home... She was only 36.  "Of course" - the media went nuts with 'their' opine!  Even as they were carting her outta her home..

 

Her funeral was a literal swarm of fans. (another pic) DiMaggio DID NOT take it well!!  AT ALL!  At ALLLLLL!  According to a flower shop in Los Angeles... He placed a 20-year order of a half-dozen roses to be placed on Monroe’s grave three times a week. With this gesture, NO DOUBT, he showed that he truly loved and respected Marilyn. Herre was the assortment from Joe (the day of the funeral!)  Keeeeep em' coming!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Controversy surrounds Marilyn Monroe's death.  Even today, opinions vary.  Some say she was murdered, some say it was an accidental overdose, and some simply scrath thier heads.  One thing is for sure.  Marilyn Monroe was an American icon, a legend, that can never be lived down.  In her own words on getting started in Hollywood, "I want to be a big star more than anything. It's something precious." Indeed she did!!  

 

Visit her grave here, and leave your non-wilting flowers and a note for Marilyn.  

Thanks to Hollywood Legends.net friend, Denny Jackson for excepts (& his help), in this story!

TRIVIA
 

Although rumors have floated around that Marilyn Monroe was related to the 5th U.S. President, James Monroe, this has never been conclusively proven. But Monroe’s hero was another U.S. President: the great Abraham Lincoln. (ME, Tony, too! haha)

Although it may be hard to imagine, Monroe is said to have felt that Lincoln was the most famous American, most like her.

Playboy "Sweetheart" of the Month, December 1953.  Hugh M. Hefner, in fact, owns the burial vault next to hers.

Fearing blemishes, she washed her face fifteen times a day and thought the right side of her face was her "best" side.

On Febuary 23rd, 1956, she obtained order from the City Court of the State of New York to legally change her name from Norma Jeane Mortenson to Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn at the morgue - agaain!!  (**WARNING - morgue scene picture - if that sorta thing grosses you OUT?!?  Then DON'T click!!)

On December 31, 1955, she formed her own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions.

Measurements: (Cause I just KNOW your curious!!) 😉 37C-24-35 (definitive measurements for the majority of her career) / (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

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