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.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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."
Renamed Marilyn Monroe and reborn as a platinum blonde, she took a supporting role in Ladies of the Chorus.
Everett Collection
A year of contrasts: she was awarded a prestige role in The Asphalt Jungle and named Miss Cheesecake by Stars and Stripes magazine.
An elegant updo revealed Monroe's natural widow's peak in All About Eve.
John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images
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.
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.
Alfred Eisenstaedt/Time Life Staff
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.
Sam Shaw/Rex USA
A year before her death, she completed her final film, The Misfits.
John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images
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1931
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."
1948
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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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
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
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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