Marilyn Monroe was born in 1926 and passed in 1962. She was a multifaceted American icon known for her roles as a model, actress, and singer. Her charm and charisma made her one of the most celebrated female figures of the 20th century. She embodied the era’s glamour and allure. Monroe’s influence extended beyond the silver screen; she is considered a significant cultural figure in American history. She had diverse interests. One of her interests was casino games, a popular leisure activity in her time. Today, engaging in such pastimes has become more accessible with platforms like ivibet canada, which simplifies the casino experience for modern enthusiasts, resonating with the timeless appeal of gaming that Monroe herself enjoyed.
Early life
Norma Jeane Mortenson, later known as Monroe, was born in June 1926. Her mother, Gladys Pearl Baker (Monroe), was born in 1902 and passed away in 1984. Her father’s identity remained a mystery, leading to her being christened under the name Norma Jeane Baker. Her mother, Gladys, had a turbulent mental state and struggled to cope with bringing up her children. During her initial six years, Marilyn grew up in Hawthorne, California, under her foster parents, Albert and Ida Bolender. Subsequently, her biological mother attempted to reclaim her. Marilyn suffered a mental breakdown. As a result, Marilyn was moved between different orphanages and foster homes, and her challenging early years led to her developing a reserved and introverted demeanor.
Monroe married her 21-year-old partner, next-door neighbor Jimmy Dougherty, after celebrating her 16th birthday in 1942. Marilyn settled into the role of a homemaker, yet she and her spouse lacked a close bond, leading her to experience boredom, as Monroe reported. In 1943, her husband left to join the Merchant Marines to take part in America’s War effort. They split up shortly after.
Marilyn worked at a local ammunition factory in Burbank, California, to earn a living. Marilyn received her first significant opportunity at this location. Photographer David Conover was covering the ammunition factory to show women at work for the war effort. Norma’s beauty and photogenic nature struck him, and he used her in many of his photographs. This enabled her to start a career as a model, and she was soon featured on the front of many magazine covers.
Career breakthrough
1946 was a pivotal year for Marilyn. She divorced her young husband. Then she changed her name from the dull Norma Baker to the more glamorous Marilyn Monroe, after her grandma. After taking drama lessons, she secured her first movie contract with Twentieth Century Fox. Her first few films were low-key. They led to more prominent roles in films. These include All About Eve, Niagara, Gentleman Prefer Blondes, and How To Marry A Millionaire.
These successful film roles thrust her into the global limelight. She became an iconic symbol of Hollywood glamour and fashion. She epitomized sensuality, beauty, and enthusiasm and was naturally photogenic. But she often found the trappings of fame challenging to deal with.
In 1954, Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio, a baseball star and her friend for more than two years. At that time, Monroe was one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood. But her contract, negotiated in 1950, paid her less than other stars. Furthermore, Monroe didn’t want to be stereotyped as a ‘blonde bombshell.’– playing simple roles in comedies and musicals. 20th Century Fox temporarily suspended her in a pay and acting dispute. They agreed to some of Monroe’s demands and gave her higher pay. In September 1954, she took on a leading role in the film “The Seven Year Itch.” It was released to widespread media interest. This was after a successful media stunt on Lexington Avenue, New York.
In 1955, she sought greater independence from Fox. She began her movie production and studied method acting. The media often dismissed Monroe’s potential. Her efforts to improve her acting paid off. Her later films received critical acclaim for her broader scope of acting. She was nominated for the Golden Globe Best Actress Award for Bus Stop (1956). In 1959, Marilyn Monroe won a Golden Globe for her performance in ‘Some Like It Hot.’
His jealousy and controlling nature strained her relationship with Joe DiMaggio.Shortly after that, Monroe initiated divorce proceedings, yet despite the dissolution of their marriage, they maintained a friendly relationship. Monroe began dating playwright Arthur Miller and, in 1956, married. To get married, Monroe converted to Judaism. The marriage between Miller, a left-wing intellectual, and Monroe, a perceived ‘dumb blonde,’ received significant media attention and was sometimes referred to as “Egghead Weds Hourglass.”
Adding complexity to the situation, Miller faced scrutiny for purported “Communist leanings.” Media executives pressed Monroe to sever ties, but she remained steadfast. So, the FBI initiated surveillance on her, concerned about her husband’s political ideologies.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, her health began to deteriorate. She had a Barbiturate addiction and experienced periods of depression. The union with Miller deteriorated. It led to her romantic involvements with Yves Montand and Frank Sinatra, among others. In the 1960s, her health declined. It posed significant challenges in film production and caused delays. She was still in great demand and often appeared on the front cover of glossy magazines. 1962, she was invited to the White House to sing for J.F. Kennedy’s birthday.
Death and legacy
Tragically, she died early from an overdose of barbiturates in 1962, aged 36.
Monroe cultivated an image of the ‘dumb blonde’ through the media. She took care to cultivate and develop her image and persona. Her acting also contributed to this. Many were dismissive at the time. She took on the powerful Hollywood studio system. Against expectations, she developed her acting career with her intentions. Yet, behind her confident public persona, she struggled with relationships and resorted to heavy drug use, which had a damaging impact on both her mental and physical health. In one sense, Monroe lived the American dream. She rose from anonymity to become a famous actress. But, it was a dream tinged with sadness. Fame did not bring her peace of mind or happiness.