MARILYN MONROE (NORMA JEAN MORTENSON)

Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926. She was raised in Los Angeles County. Monroe never knew her father. When she was still a child, her mother, Gladys Baker, was diagnosed with schizophrenia. As such, Norma was often placed in foster care. She was moved multiple times after being sexually abused by caregivers. At the age of 16, she married James Dougherty. Norma started modeling in 1944. She was first photographed at the factory where she worked. She left her job and divorced her husband in 1946. At this time, she started using the stage name Marilyn Monroe. She was offered a contract by 20th Century-Fox in late 1946. Marilyn continued to build her career in film over the next decade, until her major break in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Released in 1953, this film secured her spot as an iconic American sex symbol. In 1954, Monroe formed her own production company. She also married baseball star Joe DiMaggio. They divorced nine months later. Marilyn was remarried in 1956 to playwright, Arthur Miller. On February 23, 1956, she legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. She earned a Golden Globe for Some Like It Hot in 1959. In January 1961, she divorced Miller. Shortly after, it is alleged Marilyn began having an affair with President John F. Kennedy. She passed away on August 4, 1962.