Born Norma Jean Baker on the 1st.June 1926 in the charity ward of Los Angeles General Hospital. Norma Jean would rise from her poverty to become the biggest movie star in Hollywood. Spent most of her childhood in foster homes & orphanages while her mother was in and out of mental hospitals. It was while in these homes that young Norma would pretend and dream of being a movie star. Married at 16 on 19th.June 1942 to James Dougherty a childhood friend , Norma was now out of the clutch's of the local authorities & could now live as she wanted. The first home of her own is a one bedroom apartment at 4524 Vista Del Monte, Sherman Oaks. She moves in with her in laws in 1943 when her husband joins the services. Now single again Norma moves in with her Aunt Ann Lower at 11348 Nebraska in 1945. In 1946 Norma changes her name to Marilyn Monroe. Poses for Nude Calendar in 1949 by Tom Kelley at 736 N. Seward. Following a number of lovers and bit parts signs a 7 year contract with Fox in May 1950. Now sharing an apartment with Shelly Winters at 8573 Holloway little Norma Jean is ready to fulfill her dreams of become a star. Minor roles lead to her first major film Niagara which establishes Marilyn as a star. Marilyn quickly establishes herself as the blond bombshell, with two major film smash's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes & How to Marry A Millionaire in 1953. Now one of Hollywood's mega stars Marilyn leaves her hands in cement on 26th.June1953 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre Hollywood Blvd. Marries baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and lives at 508 N. Palm, Beverly Hills from Jan. to Oct.1954. Starring roles in movies such as The Seven Year Itch firmly establish Marilyn as Hollywood's biggest star, though successful on screen Marilyn's private live had become a mess. Her marriage to Di Maggio had now broken up and every body seemed to want a piece of her. By this time Marilyn wanted to become a serious actress and shake off her dizzy blonde image attends acting school in New York and marries Playwright Arthur Miller in 1956. Marilyn carries on filming hits such as Some Like it Hot but despite her acting lessons she is seen as the dizzy blonde by everybody. As the late 50's approach unhappy with her marriage and her film roles Marilyn suffers increasingly from bouts of depression and self doubt. Now partying with the show biz set Marilyn meets the Kennedy's and mobsters like Sam Giancana, all friends of Frank Sinatra & Peter Lawford. Her marriage to Arthur Miller ends in divorce in Jan.1961 and with an increasing dependence on drugs she is fired by the studios. Now living in Brentwood at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive Marilyn enters Cedars Hospital in July 62 suffering from depression ( some reportedly say to have an abortion) Marilyn is found dead in her bedroom on 5th.August 1962 at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, Brentwood reputedly from a drugs overdose. The cause of death is still reputed to this present day, some 40 years later, in various books, articles & films. Little Norma Jean had become a star but felt as alone being famous as she had in the foster homes. Despite being the biggest star in Hollywood Marilyn's body lay unclaimed in the city morgue for days, until claimed by her ex husband Joe Di Maggio. Joe organized and paid for Marilyn's funeral at Westwood Memorial Park. Her funeral was attended by Joe, family members and fans no Hollywood stars were invited. For years until he moved to Florida Joe Di Maggio had roses placed on Marilyns grave every week. Her grave is now the most visited in Hollywood and now some 40 years after her death little Norma Jean has become one of the greatest icons of the 20th.Century - Marilyn Monroe.
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