RETROspective: Marilyn Monroe

Celebrating the life of a Hollywood Glam Goddess

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on this very day nearly a century ago, Marilyn Monroe has been labeled as one of the most iconic figures in pop culture.

Seemingly an overnight success story, Marilyn Monroe's life was anything but easy. She spent most of her childhood in and out of foster homes and orphanages, as her father was estranged and her mother suffered from mental illness. Even so, Norma Jeane's family friend and guardian, Grace McKee, still believed in her, telling young Marilyn that she would someday become "...an important woman...a movie star." Prophecy fulfilled.

Norma Jeane was originally a brunette. But in order to get modeling gigs, she dyed her hair a golden blonde, proving that blondes really do have more fun!

Norma Jeane adopted the stage name, "Marilyn Monroe" after having been told that she reminded 20th Century Fox Executive Ben Lyon of Marilyn Miller. In place of "Miller", she used her grandmother's surname, Monroe.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Believe it or not, Monroe got her start in the Radio Munitions Factory. There, she sprayed airplane parts with fire retardant and inspected parachutes. After being photographed for an article in Yank, the Army Weekly, a magazine that was published by the United States during World War II, she was encouraged to take on modeling.

Marilyn Monroe is best known for her typecasted role as the "dumb blonde". But ironically, she was neither a natural blonde, nor was she dumb. She was actually very intelligent, witty, and good-humored.... She was passionate and very determined. Like most women, she wanted acceptance...she wanted to be loved for her true self...romance...a family...fame...all the things that little girls dream of....

"In Hollywood a girl's virtue is much less important than her hairdo. You're
judged by how you look, not by what you are. Hollywood's a place where
they'll
pay you a thousand dollars for kiss, and fifty cents for your
soul.
I know,
because I turned down the first offer often enough and
held out for
the fifty."

Marilyn Monroe has starred in numerous films, including one of my personal favorites, The Seven Year Itch, The Prince and the Showgirl, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Asphalt Jungle, There's No Business Like Show Business, Niagara, and the list goes on.... Marilyn Monroe's performances have earned her many awards and nominations. She has won a Golden Globe in the categories of Best Motion Picture Actress in Comedy or Musical for Some Like It Hot and World Film Favorite: Female.


Marilyn Monroe is often imitated, but never duplicated. There can only be one Marilyn Monroe! Actress, model, singer, comedian, producer--Marilyn Monroe is truly a legend that lives on through her legacy. And let me tell you folks--this blonde bombshell is a tough act to follow!

All photos courtesy of fanpix.net unless otherwise noted.