She’s one of the most iconic stars that has ever been on the silver screen, and she’s one of our newest summer artworks. It’s none other than the Marilyn Monroe.
There’s more to Miss Monroe than her blonde locks, bold red lip and glamorous dresses – we’ve done the research. From her tumultuous childhood to the birth of a Hollywood legend, here are some fascinating facts about the ultimate blonde bombshell.
1. Marilyn was not her birth name.
Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jean Baker. When she was trying to make it into show business, her stage name was born. Fox Studios Head Talent executive, Ben Lyon, helped her brainstorm on a new alias.
He believed she bore a resemblance to stage actress Marilyn Miller. Monroe came from her grandmother’s maiden name. Despite living under her stage name for years, she legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe in 1956.
2. She grew up as a foster child.
Monroe spent the majority of her childhood as a foster child. Her mother suffered from several mental health issues and eventually ended up being admitted into hospitals, leaving Monroe as an orphan. From nine years old, she moved in and out of many foster homes – 11 to be exact!
When she was 16, she decided to marry her neighbour’s son James Dougherty to avoid going back to the orphanage mainly.
3. She was the first cover star of Playboy in 1953.
Monroe became the first cover star and centrefold of the iconic Playboy Magazine in 1953. The nude images, however, were taken in 1949, just before Monroe made her big break in Hollywood. Playboy owner Hugh Hefner reportedly purchased the photographs for only $500, and the issue.
Hefner loved Monroe so much that he is now buried next to her at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles. The burial spot came at a severe price of $75,000. But if we had a spare million dollars, I guess it’s not the worst thing to spend it on.
