The life of Marilyn Monroe

Acting icon Marilyn Monroe made a name for herself as a paradigm of American beauty and talent, bringing in $200 million from her films. The savvy actress flourished through Hollywood’s muddy waters by creating a “dumb blonde” persona, earning the nation’s adoration and landing her in many significant roles. However, through the glitter and glamor of her movies, the actress’ story ended tragically with conspiracies hovering over her abrupt death to this day. Exploring the mysterious and multifaceted woman uncovers a grim series of drama, secrets, and defamation surrounding her presence.

On June 1st, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson to Gladys Baker and Charles Stanley Gifford. Much of her childhood was spent in the foster home of Ida and Wayne Bolender, where her mother would regain custody only for the child to be sent to the Los Angeles

Orphans’ Home in later youth. Her early life was anything but easy, bearing with an abusive, schizophrenic mother and absent father.

At the end of her adolescence, she pursued modeling after being scouted by a photographer searching for subjects to inspire the troops during WW2. Finally breaking out in 1946, she signed with Twentieth Century Fox for her traction as a model where she took on a screen name and gave genesis to the iconic Marilyn Monroe. Fortunately, her work as a model would pay off when a promiscuous photo of her appeared on a calendar and landed her a role in Scudda-Hoo! Scudda-Hay! Soon enough, the young talent was beginning to gain recognition in the industry at the cost of garnering notoriety from her risqué portraits.

Monroe then starred in a series of incredibly successful movies. Her highest-rated works, aside from her last film, The Misfits, include Niagra (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), Some Like It Hot (1959), and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Marilyn had become beloved by the nation, with her name reaching global status under the objectifying eyes of men and the media.

Her last film before death, The Misfits (1961), was a drama written specifically for her by then-husband Arthur Miller. However, their love would lose flame as divorce followed within the year of the movie’s release. Resurging from a short retirement after the loss, she continued to act and win awards for her roles, securing her first Golden Globe for Some Like It Hot in 1960. Afterward, she returned to comedy in Something’s Got to Give, although the film never saw fruition as Monroe suffered with her health and could not make it on set.

Her physical and emotional deterioration involved substance abuse, depression, endometriosis, insomnia, and several mental health problems, likely including bipolar disorder. This, in addition to a rumored scandal with President John F. Kennedy, had halted the film’s production. Many argue that Monroe singing Happy Birthday to JFK sealed her fate and made her a government enemy, leading to many conspiracies after her death.

Monroe was absent from the public until found dead in her Los Angeles home from a drug overdose in 1962 at age 36. The tragedy was ruled as a suicide considering the history of drug abuse and attempts on her life in the past. Nevertheless, many insisted the government killed and framed her death as self-afflicted following the alleged scandal with the president.

60 years later, Marilyn Monroe is recognized with respect, honor, and acknowledgment of the lifelong pain she endured. Currently, 16 movies documenting her life exist, Blonde (2022) being the most recent. Regardless of many biopics trying to revive her as a symbol of the grueling conflict between the industry, Monroe’s life was also one of theatric prowess and intelligent maneuvering in a world of sharks. With her face being one of the most well-known in Hollywood, one could say she had never died.

Written by Isabella Cournyea | Graphic Designed by Isabella Cournyea

Published December 5, 2022 | ePathfinder | Feature