Marilyn Monroe's Changing Looks

John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images

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1931

Marilyn Monroe - Transformation - Beauty - Celebrity Before and After

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Born in Los Angeles to a single mother, Monroe spent much of her childhood with a foster family. Although her birth certificate gives her name as Norma Jeane Mortensen, she was later called Norma Jeane Baker.

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1940

The 14-year-old had naturally curly reddish-brown hair-and a newfound effect on men. "I had this long walk to school, it was just sheer pleasure," she told Life of her high school years. "Every fellow honked his horn-the world became friendly."

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1948

Everett Collection

Renamed Marilyn Monroe and reborn as a platinum blonde, she took a supporting role in Ladies of the Chorus.

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1950

A year of contrasts: she was awarded a prestige role in The Asphalt Jungle and named Miss Cheesecake by Stars and Stripes magazine.

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1950

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An elegant updo revealed Monroe's natural widow's peak in All About Eve.

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1952

The Don’t Bother to Knock star wore her white-blond locks in a voluminous pageboy. She was also known to accentuate her eyes with a half-strip of false lashes.

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1953

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Time Life Staff

The red-lipped bombshell showcased her comedic skills in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire. The following year, her fame skyrocketed when she married baseball player Joe DiMaggio.

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1957

Sam Shaw/Rex USA

Having moved to New York to study acting under Lee Strasberg, the new Mrs. Arthur Miller took a role across from Sir Laurence Olivier in The Prince and the Showgirl.

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1961

Marilyn Monroe - Transformation - Beaauty - Celebrity Before and After

John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images

A year before her death, she completed her final film, The Misfits.

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Marilyn Monroe's Changing Looks

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1931

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Marilyn Monroe's Changing Looks

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1931

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1940

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1948

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1950

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1950

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1952

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1953

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1957

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1961

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