It has been 54 years this month (August 5 ,2016), since we have lost our beloved Marilyn Monroe to a tragic death, Whether you believe it was a set up murder or a suicidal death, we all mourn her loss in some way.
Marilyn Monroe did not start off as a pin-up model/movie actress.
Formally, Marilyn was known as Norma Jeane. Norma was born to a mother named Gladys who worked as a film-cutter in Hollywood, her father was believed to be James Mortenson, and took off when Norma confessed her pregnancy by him. Normas mother frequented the mental hospitals in the area, and proved to be unfit to care for Norma Jean on multiple occasions.
Norma began bouncing back and forth between her aunts house and foster homes. Living through a traumatic series of events such as abandonment, attempted rape and starvation due to poverty.
At the ripe age of 16 years old, Norma married a young man who was entering the service. His name was James Doherty. Norma was content with this man since she did not have to fight her way through for food or other basic necessities and was just grateful that James took her in.
While James was away in the service, Norma started to work in an aircraft factory, helping to assemble airplanes for some extra income. While working at the factory, Norma was discovered by a local photographer who was taking pictures for a calendar photo shoot. Norma and James were divorced 4 years later, and Norma started to bleach her hair and model in swimsuits, which eventually earned her a contract where she acted in a few films. Some of which, her parts never made it in to the movie.
Norma never gave up. Later changing her name to Marilyn Monroe and bleaching her hair that platinum blonde color, which eventually became her trademark, besides that infamous beauty mark above her lip.
Soon, Marilyn's name became a household name, starring in movies that raked in money for the studio and kept Marilyn's name in shining lights.
Only problem, underneath it all, Marilyn was not as happy, free, and healthy as she had seemed,
Marilyn often spent hours in her dressing home, attempting to make it out for the day, often times not making it. She locked herself in her bedroom and would not allow any visitors in. Marilyn had insomnia and stayed up very late for hours, sometimes calling up friends on the phone and confessing her problems.
There was a beautiful face, with lavish clothes and perfect makeup and tightly curled hair, but it wasn't enough. It was not the sanity that Marilyn craved at 3 a.m. when everyone else was sleeping.
It was not the space and understanding that Marilyn needed when the lights were dimmed.
Marilyn became famous and had loads of fans, and even some husbands, but she was lacking a true friend.
Someone who was not out to make a dollar from her. The star had tons of people around her when the lights were on and the actors were about, but when the stage was pitch black and there was nothing left to offer anyone, where were her friends and family?
Marilyn has been an idol of mine for at least 25 years. I remember so vividly skipping school and staying home with my mom to watch How To Marry A Millionaire. I was in awe of the costumes, the jewelry, the makeup, the fact that i was so damn happy to watch these bright, colorful, melodic musicals.
No one could walk across a movie set quite like Miss Monroe. She oozed sexuality in all it's wholesome goodness in such a way that women began to say okay, if she can get away with looking like that, then so can I!
All these years later, and still almost half the women on this planet, would give up quite a few dollars if they could look like Marilyn Monroe in any way.
Her previously owned items, garner thousands and sometimes millions of dollars. Items include the dress she wore in Seven Year Itch, a check she signed, and costume jewelry she owned.
You can find shirts, bags, shoes, heels, and shower curtains with her face on it. I can tell you I own many, many things with Marilyn on it and most of those I just mentioned. Just about any friend that knows me even remotely, knows how much I love Marilyn Monroe.
Why?
Her struggle, her pain, Marilyn never apologized for who she was. Marilyn was flawed and real, human and imperfect. Even though she was beautiful, a goddess, pin-up model, actress, celebrity....she never pretended to be someone she was not. Marilyn tried to make it in a world full of piranhas. She was trying to survive. Trying to eat, trying to never have to worry about having stability in her life again.
There were a few failed marriages. When Marilyn was not happy and felt suffocated or violated she left. After a rough childhood, why stay in a relationship where you are miserable?
Marilyn was a free spirit. Never confining herself to a space she was not happy or welcomed. She pushed many envelopes and broke down endless barriers for women today to be who they are and express themselves in such a way that they are free and comfortable to be themselves.
Are there celebrities and actresses today who do that? Yes!
But, there will never ever be another Marilyn Monroe!
