This woman personified Hollywood glamour and enamored the world. She dominated the age of movie stars to become one of the most famous women of the 20th Century. This person is Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn was not always known by the name she used in her time. Her birth name was Norma Jeane Mortenson. She was born June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles , California. Her birth mother's name was Gladys Baker, though her father is undetermined. She was later baptized as Norma Jeane Baker. Gladys Baker had been a film cutter at RKO studios, but psychological problems caused her to be committed to a mental institution.
Norma Jeane was living in foster homes most of her childhood. In 1937, she moved in with a family friend, Grace Mckee Goddard. When Norma Jeane was 16 years old the family, sadley ,could not afford to raise her. Norma Jeane was forced to get married or return to the orphanage.
Norma Jeane decided to get married, as most people would in her situation, to her 21 year old neighbor Jimmy Doughtry. They had been dating 6 months before their marriage. They loved each other very much and were happy together until Jimmy joined the Merchant Marines and was sent to the South Pacific in 1944.
After Jimmy tradgically left, Norma Jeane took a job on the assembly line at the Radio Plane Munitions factory in Burbank, California. Several months after taking the job, photographer David Conover saw her while taking pictures of women contributing to the war for Yank Magizine. He says she was a "photographers dream". He used her in his shoot that day and started sending modeling jobs to her. Within two years she was a reputable model with her face on many popular magazine covers.
Jimmy returned from the Marines in 1946, this meant Norma Jeane had to make another important desicion in her life, this time between her husband and her career. Norma Jeane divorced Jimmy in June of 1946(obviously, picking her career), and signed her first studio contract with Twentieth Century Fox on August 26, 1946. She earned $125 a week. Norma Jeane dyed her hair blonde and borrowing her grandmothers last name, legally changing her name to Marilyn Monroe.
On Janruary 14, 1954, Marilyn married Joe DiMaggio, a current baseball star. They had previously been a couple for two years. Joe was clearly uncomfortable with thousands of men ogling his new bride. The couple had divorced just 9 months later.
At the 1962 Golden Globes, Marilyn was named female World Film Favorite, once again demonstrating her widespread appeal. Sadly, in a shocking turn of events on the early morning of August 5, 1962, 36-year-old Marilyn "died in her sleep" at her home in California. The world was appalled. Marilyn's vibrant spirit and beauty made it impossible to believe she was gone. On August 8, 1962, Marilyn's body was laid to rest in the Corridor of Memories at Westwood Memorial Park in California.
Today, the name "Marilyn Monroe" is recognized no matter who it is said to. She remains an inspiration to all who strive to overcome personal obstacles for the goal of achieving greatness.
