Marilyn Monroe
Subcat Productions/ Wikimedia Commons.Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film “Niagara.”
On the surface, Marilyn Monroe had everything that a person could want: fame, beauty, and money. However, underneath her bombshell looks, Monroe faced many demons which ultimately led to her death.
Born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926, Monroe had a difficult childhood. She never met her father and her mother suffered severe psychological issues. Monroe, consequently, was largely raised in foster homes where she was subject to frequent abuse.
Despite her tumultuous upbringing, Monroe went on to become a Hollywood star. After some minor roles, Monroe’s beauty propelled her career and landed her big films like The Seven Year Itch and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Matty Zimmerman/Corpus Christi Caller-Times/Associated Press/Wikimedia CommonsThe iconic image of Marilyn Monroe posing while filming The Seven Year Itch with her dress billowing upward thanks to the air from a New York subway grate.
The Blonde Bombshell was one of the world’s most popular sex icons. Meanwhile, Monroe frequently dealt with mental health issues like depression and by the last few months of her life, she was living in seclusion in her home.
She became erratic and was under constant care of a psychiatrist. Shortly after midnight on August 5, 1962, Monroe’s housekeeper saw the light on in her bedroom and after her attempts to reach Monroe went unreciprocated, she called Monroe’s psychiatrist.
Bettmann/Getty ImagesThe corpse of Marilyn Monroe being taken to the morgue on a stretcher by a police officer.
The psychiatrist broke into her bedroom and found Monroe unresponsive on her bed. She was naked and lying face down on her bed with a telephone in one hand and empty pill bottles, prescribed to her for depression, scattered about the room.
The police were called to the scene and after a short investigation, the Los Angeles police declared that the cause of death was “by a self-administered overdose of sedative drugs and that the mode of death is probably suicide.” Though ruled a “probable suicide,” the shock of her death had many wondering if she had overdosed on purpose or if it was an accident.
Regardless, Marilyn Monroe remains a household name and is remembered for far more than her tragic, famous suicide.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or use their 24/7 Lifeline Crisis Chat.
