Marilyn Monroe

By: Emily Littler

Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, was the quintessential Hollywood icon—an intoxicating mix of vulnerability, sensuality, and star power who captivated the world throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. Though best known for her breathy voice and dazzling beauty, she was also a sharp, ambitious woman who fought against being typecast and sought recognition as a serious actress. Beneath the glamorous image was a complex, often troubled figure marked by childhood trauma, failed marriages, and struggles with fame, mental health, and addiction. Her relationships with powerful men—including Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller, and rumoured liaisons with the Kennedys—only deepened the public’s fascination.

Marilyn remains a towering figure in popular culture: a symbol of tragic beauty, lost potential, and the dark side of celebrity. Her image lingered everywhere—on posters, in gossip, and in the imaginations of those who had known her or only dreamed of her.