Marilyn Monroe: Bio, Quotes, and CHANEL No. 5

Marilyn Monroe – the most popular sex symbol of the 1950s, emblematic of the era’s attitudes towards sexuality. To this day, she continues to be considered a major popular culture icon. She was quite an animal lover and cats are no exception.

Marilyn Monroe Metamorphosis

Marilyn was born in 1926 in Los Angles, California, as Norma Jeane. After troubled upbringing, She wed her boyfriend Jimmy Dougherty on June 19, 1942, at the age of 16.

By that time, Marilyn had dropped out of high school (age 15). A merchant marine, Dougherty was later sent to the South Pacific.

Marilyn went to work in a munitions factory in Van Nuys, California, where she was discovered by a photographer, Bill Carroll.

No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they’re pretty, even if they aren’t.

Marilyn Monroe quotes (goodreads)

Marilyn’s marriage to Dougherty fizzled out as she focused more on her career. The couple divorced in 1946—the same year that she signed her first movie contract.

With the movie contract came a new name and image; she began calling herself herselfMarilyn Monroe and dyed her hair blonde. She dreamt of becoming an actress like Jean Harlow and Lana Turner.

In 1953, Marilyn made a star-making turn in Niagara (1953), starring as a young married woman out to kill her husband with help from her lover. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), the film was a hit and Marilyn continued to find success in a string of light comedic fares, such as How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) with Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall, There’s No Business like Show Business (1954) with Ethel Merman and Donald O’Connor, and The Seven Year Itch (1955).

It’s all make believe, isn’t it?

Marilyn Monroe quotes (goodreads)

Passionate Animal Lover

Marilyn cared for many critters throughout her life.

During her first marriage, her husband recalled her trying to bring a cow into their house to get it out of the rain.

She was photographed throughout her career as a model and actress, and in her real life, with various animals – dogs, horses, elephants, sheep, and even once with a bear.

One can easily see her affinity for animals by the expressions of joy on her face.

Marilyn was especially fond of dogs, and owned only one cat in her life. That special cat named Mitsou, the white Persian cat, lived with Marilyn in New York in the mid-1950’s.

High Heels and Chanel No. 5

Some say high heels’ origin can be dating back to 3500 B.C. in Ancient Egypt. Egyptian nobilities wearing heels to set them apart from the lower class, who would normally go barefoot. Heeled shoes were worn by both men and women.

Since then, high heels have been worn for many reasons and many occasions such as to ride a horse,  to make the wearer look taller, sometime in the middle it began to associate with feminism, now it is the symbol and tool of women’s sexuality.

I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!

Marilyn Monroe quotes (goodreads)

What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course

Marilyn Monroe quotes (goodreads)

In 1954, once Marilyn asked by a reporter what she wore to bed, she replied, Chanel No. 5.
For Coco Chanel, the number five was especially esteemed as signifying the pure embodiment of a thing, its spirit, its mystic meaning.

Coco envisioned a design that would be an antidote for the over-elaborate, precious fussiness of the crystal fragrance bottles.

Created by perfumer, Ernest Beaux. Marilyn’s unsolicited endorsement of the fragrance provided invaluable publicity.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

On May 19, 1962, Marilyn made her now-famous performance at John F. Kennedy’s birthday celebration, singing Happy Birthday, Mr. President. She suffered an extremely last minute panic before the stage.

She wanted to be perfect. I heard this song so many times that day, Her make-up artist Marie Irvine told NY Daily News.

As Marilyn made her way to the venue, Irvine – however – spotted she’d forgotten her drop earrings.

Irvine knew Marilyn didn’t like lots of jewelry, but that time the earrings were part of the whole look. She grabbed a cab and rushed to Madison Square Garden to deliver them.

Hence the stunning whole look of Marilyn on the stage.

Minimalist

Marilyn did not own a house until the last year of her life, and had surprisingly few possessions.

One that she prized was an autographed photo of Albert Einstein, which included an inscription: To Marilyn, with respect and love and thanks.

Marilyn died in 1962 in Los Angels, California, she was only 36 years old.

During her career, Marilyn’s films grossed more than $200 million. Today, she is still considered the world’s most popular icon of sex appeal and beauty, and is remembered for her idiosyncratic sense of humor and sly wit.

However, as she claimed herself, she was just another woman who wants to be loved for herself and for her talent.

Just desired for affection and protection from men, which every woman can sympathize with. And she dearly loved animals all her life.

I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.

Marilyn Monroe quotes (goodreads)

Reference

History of High Heels (Origins of High Heels)

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Also published on Medium.