40 Surprising Secrets About Marilyn Monroe You Need to Know

Marilyn Monroe is still considered one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood’s history. Here are 40 intriguing facts about her early life, career, and legacy.

1. Poorly Paid: Marilyn Monroe was often underpaid compared to her contemporaries despite her immense popularity. For instance, while co-starring with Jane Russell in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” Marilyn earned significantly less, around $500 per week, compared to Russell’s $5,000. Even in her final film, “Something’s Got to Give,” she was paid $100,000, compared to Elizabeth Taylor’s $1 million for “Cleopatra.”

2. Million-Dollar Star: By 1962, she had become a million-dollar movie star, securing a $1 million deal with Twentieth-Century Fox just days before her death.

3. Struggles with Lines: She found it challenging to memorize lines, famously taking 60 takes for the line “It’s me, Sugar” in “Some Like It Hot.”

4. Playboy’s First Sweetheart: In 1953, Marilyn became Playboy’s first Sweetheart of the Month. Interestingly, she had modeled for a nude photograph in 1949 for just $50; Hugh Hefner later purchased it for $500, contributing to her iconic status.

5. Burial Vault Sales: Burial vaults near hers have been sold for millions; one was listed on eBay for £2.8 million.

6. Hugh Hefner’s Vault: In 1992, Hugh Hefner bought the burial vault next to Marilyn’s at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles for £50,000. He admired her and wanted to be close to the icon, even in death.

7. Multiple Names: Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, she used various names throughout her life, including Jean Norman and Zelda Zonk.

8. Foster Care: After her mother was institutionalized, Marilyn lived with 11 sets of foster parents and spent time in an orphanage.

9. Artistic Affinity: Goya was her favorite artist; she once remarked that they shared similar dreams and aspirations. This connection to art reflected her desire for deeper understanding and expression beyond her public persona.

10. Spiritual Journey: At the age of 18, Marilyn became a Christian Scientist but later explored various spiritual paths throughout her life, including Anthroposophy, the philosophy founded by Rudolf, Steinerand converted to Judaism before marrying Arthur Miller in 1956.

11. Weight Fluctuations: During “The Prince and the Showgirl,” her weight changes led to the costume designer creating dresses in multiple sizes.

12. Acting Coaches: Throughout her career, Marilyn relied heavily on acting coaches for support and guidance. Natasha Lytess was her first coach and worked with her on 22 films over six years. Later on, Paula Strasberg took over this role but adopted a more collaborative approach compared to Lytess.

13. Joe DiMaggio’s Tribute: After their marriage ended, Joe DiMaggio continued to honor Marilyn by arranging for roses to be sent to her crypt three times a week for 20 years following her death, a testament to their enduring bond.

14. Estate Licensing: In January 2011, Authentic Brand Groups acquired the licensing rights to Marilyn Monroe’s estate for approximately $30 million. Jamie Salter, the company’s CEO, expressed confidence in Monroe’s enduring appeal in media and entertainment.

15. Iconic Piano Sale: At an auction in 1999, Marilyn’s white baby grand piano sold for an astounding $662,500, far exceeding its estimated value of $10,000-$15,000. The piano had originally belonged to her mother before being reclaimed by Marilyn later in life.

16. Open Casket Funeral: At her funeral on August 8, 1962, an open casket viewing allowed mourners to pay their respects. She wore an apple green Pucci sheath dress made from nylon jersey and a platinum wig due to the partial shaving of her head during the autopsy process.

17. Remarriage Plans?: Reports suggest that at the time of her death, Marilyn was contemplating remarrying Joe DiMaggio after they rekindled their friendship following their divorce.

18. Record-Breaking Dress Sales: The iconic beaded Jean Louis gown worn by Marilyn while singing “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy sold at auction in 1999 for £820,000, a record price for a single piece of clothing at that time.

19. Beloved Pets: Throughout her life, Marilyn owned several dogs; her last pet was a Maltese terrier named Maf (short for Mafia Honey), gifted by Frank Sinatra. Two Polaroids of Maf sold at auction for £220,000.

20. Estate Distribution: In her will, Marilyn left 75% of her estate to Lee Strasberg’s family, and this was eventually passed down to Anna Strasberg after Lee’s death. The remaining 25% went to the Anna Freud Centre in London as per Dr Marianne Kris’s wishes—one of Marilyn’s therapists.

21. Early Marriages: Before marrying Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, Marilyn was married at just 16 years old to James Dougherty, who later became a detective with the LAPD, though his second wife reportedly forbade him from watching any of Marilyn’s films.

22. Skin Care Routine: Marilyn whitened her skin with hormone cream, which unintentionally caused facial peach fuzz that she embraced.

23. No Oscar Nominations: Despite being one of Hollywood’s most recognized stars during her lifetime, she never received an Academy Award nomination but did earn various other accolades throughout her career.

24. Advertising Queen: In 1953, the Advertising Association of the West named her “The Most Advertised Girl in the World” due to her numerous endorsements with brands like American Airlines and Pabst Beer.

25. Plastic Surgery Support: In 1950, her agent, Johnny Hyde, financed two plastic surgeries—reshaping the tip of her nose and enhancing her chin—to help boost her career prospects.

26. Yoga Enthusiast: She practiced yoga early on and was taught by Indra Devi, who also trained other Hollywood stars.

27. Supporting Ella Fitzgerald: Marilyn helped Fitzgerald secure a major nightclub engagement by promising to attend every night.

28. Production Pioneer: She was one of the first women to run her production company, producing “The Prince and the Showgirl.”

29. Clark Gable Obsession: As a young girl who idolized Clark Gable—her co-star in “The Misfits” Marilyn felt a deep connection; upon his passing in 1960, she mourned intensely for two days.

30. Comfort with Nudity: Known for being comfortable with nudity among studio staff members, including wardrobe mistresses she often conducted interviews while nude or wore nothing under luxurious furs given by DiMaggio.

31. Writers’ Favorite: Renowned writers admired Monroe; Jean-Paul Sartre sought to cast her as a hysterical patient in his screenplay adaptation of Freud, while Truman Capote wanted her as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

32. Death Investigation Issues: Her death was ruled as a probable suicide; however, toxicology tests were only performed on one organ (the liver), leading many conspiracy theorists to question whether foul play occurred due to missing evidence from other organs post-autopsy.

33. House Discoveries: Actress Veronica Hamel found wiretaps while renovating Marilyn’s former home after purchasing it in 1972.

34. Admiration for Lincoln: She idolized Abraham Lincoln and related to his childhood struggles in her autobiography.

35. Final Reads: At the time of her untimely death on August 5, she was reading Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” alongside Leo Rosten’s “Captain Newman MD,” which mirrored aspects of therapy she had undergone herself.

36. Paternity Claims: Two men claimed paternity on their deathbeds—C Stanley Gifford (believed by both Monroe and her mother) refused contact during Monroe’s life, while Edward Mortensen (her mother’s husband) appeared on documents as well but had limited interaction with Monroe herself.

37. Athletic Background: She studied weightlifting with an Olympic champion and enjoyed tandem surfing with a boyfriend in her youth.

38. Producing Skills: Monroe Productions successfully secured rights for “The Prince and the Showgirl” through clever negotiation tactics.

39. Murder Theories: Many friends suspected foul play surrounding Monroe’s death; potential suspects included Robert Kennedy (with whom she had an affair), John F Kennedy (ditto), mafia figure Sam Giancana, along with government agencies such as FBI/CIA, all contributing speculation regarding circumstances leading up until final moments alive!

40. Enduring Influence: Despite controversies surrounding her life and death, Marilyn Monroe’s legacy continues to captivate audiences worldwide today.

These detailed facts not only highlight Monroe’s multifaceted persona but also reflect the complexities faced by women navigating fame during an era characterized by societal expectations. Monroe left behind an indelible mark on popular culture that resonates even today!