Marilyn Monroe: Glamorous photos of the tragic American icon

Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, became one of Hollywood’s most glamorous yet tragic figures. Despite a difficult childhood spent in foster homes due to her mother’s mental health issues, Monroe rose to fame as a model and quickly transitioned into Hollywood by the late 1940s. By the 1950s, she had captivated audiences with iconic roles in films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot. However, her personal life was fraught with challenges, including high-profile marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, and struggles with depression and anxiety. In her quest to be taken seriously as an actress, Monroe studied at the Actors Studio in New York, but her life was tragically cut short at 36, when she died from a barbiturate overdose on August 5, 1962. To this day, her death remains shrouded in speculation, adding to her legacy as both a Hollywood icon and a symbol of untold sadness.