Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926. Though she would go on to become one of the most iconic stars of all time, she had a tumultuous childhood.
Born to a schizophrenic mother in Los Angeles, Monroe spent a lot of time in foster homes and orphanages. She didn't have a relationship with her birth father.
In 1942, she married Merchant Marine James Dougherty, but the marriage didn't last long, as Monroe was only 16 years old at the time. The marriage was largely a matter of keeping her out of the orphanage, as her caretakers had planned to move away.
When the Merchant Marines sent Dougherty to the South Pacific during World War II, a photographer discovered Monroe at the munitions factory where she worked. By 1946, she had already divorced Dougherty and signed a film contract with 20th Century Fox.
The hourglass-shaped pinup model dyed her brown hair blonde and began calling herself Marilyn Monroe — taking her grandmother's last name.
ludiecochrane/Flickr
The Seven Year Itch remains one of Monroe's most iconic films, thanks to her famous "skirt scene."
A couple years and a few small roles later, she was unemployed again, and shot some nude photos for a calendar. Initially, she didn't want to do it, claiming, "Nice girls did not pose in the nude." However, she felt desperate for money.
Of course, the photos did come to light later on. And Monroe did face criticism for her decision. But she simply replied that she "was hungry." Ultimately, the public forgave her.
Monroe went from one of the premier pinup models to one of the brightest stars the world had ever seen. Unfortunately, her star burned out fast. The trauma of her youth remained with her throughout her life, and she turned to drugs and alcohol in an attempt to escape the agonizing emotional pain.
Marilyn Monroe died in 1962 at the age of 36 from an overdose of barbiturates. To this day, it's still debated whether she really died by suicide or if she was murdered.
