Known for playing comic "blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, as well as an emblem of the era's sexual revolution.
Marilyn's career spanned a total of 16 years, making a total 33 films. She represented a major inspiration in the up and coming sexual revolution through her depiction as the ultimate sex symbol.
Remembering Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe, who would have turned 100 in 2026.
Her breakout role came in Niagara (1953), but it was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and Some Like It Hot (1959) that truly cemented her stardom. Monroe became a cultural icon, synonymous with her blonde bombshell image and her breathy voice.
In addition to her fashion and beauty legacy, Marilyn Monroe's impact on body positivity and self-acceptance cannot be overstated. She celebrated her curves and embraced her femininity, challenging the beauty standards of her time and paving the way for body positivity movements that continue to gain traction today.
Known for playing comic "blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, as well as an emblem of the era's sexual revolution. She was a top-billed actress for a decade, and her films grossed $200 million (equivalent to $2 billion in 2024) by her death in 1962.
Marilyn Monroe was more than a glamorous icon—she was deeply intelligent and loved literature and philosophy. She reportedly had an IQ of 168, even higher than einstein's estimated 160.
We take a closer look at some of our favourite prints and posters which, like the film, immortalise her timeless essence and glamour. As a Hollywood and pop culture icon, transcending generations and history, Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most recognisable women of the twentieth century.
Marilyn Monroe likely suffered from complex mental health issues, with modern analysis pointing towards Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), alongside historical diagnoses of Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness), anxiety, depression, and addiction, stemming from severe childhood trauma and abandonment. Her struggles included emotional instability, identity issues, impulsivity, intense mood swings, emptiness, and substance abuse, all consistent with BPD and ASD traits, though she was treated with medications for mood disorders during her life.
Peter Mangone, a teenager from the Bronx, had been skipping school to wait outside the Gladstone Hotel, where Marilyn was staying following her divorce from Joe DiMaggio, hoping simply to catch a glimpse of her.
A woman who enjoyed her sleep, Monroe took between five and 10 hours of shut-eye a night in a wide single bed. On Sunday? “[It's] my one day of total leisure. I sometimes take two hours to wake up, luxuriating in every last moment of drowsiness,” she said in an interview with Pageant magazine.
Both Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell were far older than their characters. In The Seven Year Itch, Marilyn Monroe's character — "The Girl" — is supposed to be 22 years old, but Monroe was 29 when the film was released. Incidentally, the film also premiered on the actress' birthday.
No, Marilyn Monroe never had children, but she desperately wanted them and suffered at least three miscarriages, possibly due to endometriosis, during her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller in the late 1950s. Her pregnancies ended in miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy, causing significant emotional distress and contributing to marital problems.
Marilyn Monroe was special due to her unique blend of bombshell sex appeal, comedic talent, and surprising vulnerability, transforming from a "dumb blonde" stereotype into a tragic, intelligent icon who challenged beauty standards, championed workers' rights, and became a powerful, yet fragile, cultural phenomenon whose mystery and allure continue to fascinate, says Britannica, The History Press, and Vogue.
I discuss what's called The Marilyn Monroe Effect—a phenomenon rooted in mindset, presence, and the belief that you can embody the version of yourself you most want to become. Here's what you'll learn (and how you can use it to level up in your personal and professional life):
"Marilyn Monroe's eyes were blue, not brown, green, or any other color. Some photos may appear to show different colors due to the cameras, lenses, lighting, or colorization techniques used. There's no evidence she wore colored contacts, despite rumors to the contrary."
Famous individuals such as Brandon Marshall, Amy Winehouse, and Britney Spears have shed light on the reality of living with BPD, helping to foster understanding and compassion.
The blonde bombshell, who has been revered for her curves for decades, apparently had plastic surgery in her pre-fame days to correct a nose imperfection as well as underwent chin augmentation.
When we dig into her personality types, two facets of Marilyn's character become clear. Her 16-type personality, which we assess to be ESFP, makes perfect sense—she's someone who lived for the limelight and enjoyed being the center of attention. ESFPs are talkative, witty, and charming.
Marilyn Monroe was more than a glamorous icon—she was deeply intelligent and loved literature and philosophy. She reportedly had an IQ of 168, even higher than einstein's estimated 160.
fame is defined by the % of people who have heard of a all-time actress. Find out more
She never called herself a feminist but the term wasn't yet in widespread use during her life, and the movement wouldn't appear until a number of years after her death. Hedda Rosten, her secretary and close friend, identified her as "the quintessential victim of the male".
Lady Gaga's IQ is widely rumored to be around 166, placing her in the "exceptionally gifted" or genius category, though this is an estimation often cited in celebrity lists, not a officially verified number from a public test. This high estimate is supported by her early academic achievements, like attending a summer program for the top 1% of students, and her demonstrated creative and musical genius as a composer and performer, notes Us Weekly and Brainmanager.io.
Marilyn Monroe once joked to Albert Einstein, “We could have a baby together—it would be beautiful like me and smart like you.” Einstein smiled and said, “Or it might have my looks and your intelligence.” What neither of them knew then was that Marilyn's IQ was actually 165—higher than Einstein's.
IQ scores above 200 are extremely rare and claims of a 400 IQ are classified as myths or exaggerations. Yes, Marilyn vos Savant is widely recognized as the person with the highest IQ ever officially recorded, with a score of 228 as listed in the Guinness World Records.