Essay Sample about Marilyn Monroe's Life and Legacy

Have you ever wondered what made celebrities, celebrities? What made them so popular? And were they as children? Well Marilyn Monroe is a celebrity that many are fascinated in. Her life story was not alway perfect but that made her who she is. Monroe pulled out of her tough times to find the good things in life. Monroe's life and legacy had a huge impact on the community. Marilyn Monroe's life choices and her life and life changes affected her as a person, actress and a role model to so many people around the world. She is a great destination for never giving up and that good things will come to those that work hard enough. 

Monroe's childhood was a very hard time for her;growing up she had many hardships as a young child. Marilyn Monroe was“Born June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, CA as Norma Jeane Mortenson'' ( History.com Editors,1). This was the beginning of a very popular and interesting person. Monroe was later “Later baptized as Norma Jean Baker ( her mothers last name)” ( History.com Editors,1). This name was better than her mothers last name (Mortson). Due to her mother being institutionalized Monroe “Spent Most of her childhood in foster care and orphanages” (Biography.com Editors,1). Monroe's home life was never really “normal”. Monroe grew up in a different way than the other kids in her neighborhood. She was put into an orphanage because of her mom ; when she finally got out of the orphanage she “Dropped out of High School at 15” (Biography.com Editors,2). She grew up way too fast because she wanted someone to love her since she did not get a ton of love growing up. She really did not have a childhood. Her childhood was not perfect and she went through a lot of obstacles even as a child.

It took a while to get where she was in the acting/modeling world, stardome did not come overnight. To fit the Hollywood look she was forced to“[Die] hair blonde and changed name to Marilyn Monroe at the age of 17” (History.com Editors,1). Going blonde was a good decision because it made her stand out. Changing her name made it easier for doctors to pronounce her name leading to them casting her.  When she changed her look Monroe became one of the prettiest faces in hollywood. Therefore she “Became a popular model soon after” (“Marilyn Monroe”, 3). She was one of the priestess models of her time. People took interest in her life and looks. Due to Monroes looks Monroe “Signed a one year contract with tenth century fox then later a seven year contract with them” (“Marylin Monroe”, 3). This was the start of something huge in her career.  She got a ton of fame during that time period. It took a substantial amount of time to even start to achieve her goal of becoming an actress. But her time as an actress created a common theme in many relationships for her. 

One of the many things that Monroe that interested the public was her many relationships. Monroe “got married to Jimmy Dougherty at 16” (“Marilyn Monroe”, 4). Monroe was so young that she did not understand how this would affect her life later on. This was not one of Monroe's best decisions. Because of her popularity Monroe “married Joe DiMaggio at 28” (“Marilyn Monroe”, 4). Fame got the best of her and made it seem like she had to marry a famous person. Their marriage was very toxic. Later Monroe met and fell in love with Miller. She got “Married to Arthur Miller at 30” (“Marilyn Monroe”, 3). They were very cute together and their relationship  made people believe in love. This was Monroe's healthiest relationship.  Monroe had oher short term relationships with “ Frank Sinatra, Yves Montand, Eliza Kazan, Marlon Brandon and JFK” (“Marilyn Monroe”, 6).  She was known for her many relationships throughout the year. Bescuse of her pretty blonde hair and blue eyes many men took notice of her. Many did not believe in how she had so many relationships but Monroe knew who she was and did not let any relationship or problem affect that. 

One of Monroe's many hardships including having to go to a mental hospital. Monroe “Was put in a mental hospital; Payne Whitney Clinic” (“Marilyn Monroe: Fascinating Facts”,3).

Because of her popularity the fame drove her insane. Going to a mental hospital was very hard for Monroe. Monroe did not like her stay there “Her ex-husband Di Maggie Demanded her release” (“Marilyn Monroe: Fascinating Facts”,3). Monroe was happy someone tried to help her. He stormed into the hospital and said“I want my wife back. If you don't I will take this place apart piece by piece.” (“Marilyn Monroe: Fascinating Facts”,3).Even though he was not still her husband he still cared deeply about her. He did not want her to get hurt. Going to a mental hospital would be hard for anyone but it usually took a toll on Marilyn Monroe. 

One of her most populated relationships was her supposed relations with JFK. Monroe famously “Sing Happy Birthday president at Madison Square Garden on May 19th”(Ott,Tim,1). This was a spectacular performance. It was one of the things she is most famous for. They got so close that “Some believe j.f.k. and Monroe had an affair”(Ott,Tim,1). The country was so divided on this matter some believed it to be true though others did not. She also spent time with Bobby Kennedy so that “Others believe Monroe also had an affair with JFK's brother Bobby Kennedy” (“Marilyn Monroe”, 4). People did not even know what to believe at this point. The Kennedys were very famous considering JFK was the president of the United States. This shows once again that Monroe had a thing for famous men. Monroe later stated that  “Monroe felt guilty about the affair with JFK”( Fragments,329). Even though this theory was never proved it still had an effect on the Monroe fans and the whole country.

Monroe's death Had many speculations about how she died and why. This topic of her death was very populated throughout the country. Marilyn Monroe “Died on August 5th 1962 from an overdose on sleeping pills”( History.com Editors,1). This news shocked the whole country considering that she was so young and had so much life left to live. Tons of people were left devastated with the news of her death. Monroe “Died at age 36”( History.com Editors,1). 

She was so young and was just at the beginning of her life as a celebrity. Beacuse of the strange circumstances behind her death “Some believe she was murdered because she was planning on exposing her relationships with the Kennedy Brothers”(“Marilyn Monroe”, 5). The people in Hollywood were not quite sure what really happened that night. They are not sure they will ever find out what went down that August night. 

Even though Monroe's death caused chaos throughout the community her Legacy still lives on till this day. After Monroe died it was proven that “Over her entire career she had made more than 200 million dollars”(Biography.com Editors,1). She was a huge success in the movie and molding industry. To this day known as one of the most popular actresses of her time. Also “The dress she was wearing the night she sang Happy Birthday president was sold for over 4.8 million”(Ott,Tim,2). This proves that people did whatever he could to have a piece of Monroe with them to remember her stupidus life and legacy. Years later this dress is still the most popular piece of clothes she wore. She is still such a popular person even after her death that “Many celebrities through the decade have tried to imitate her;  Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Gwen Stefani” (Biography.com Editors,1). She was such an influential person that everyone knew her name. 

Her legacy was so big that she was never forgotten. Everyone knows the name Marilyn Monroe. 

The effects of Marilyn Monroe's life on the community was significant. Her childhood, relationships, and her modeling and acting career was very important to her success. Monroe was a very famous person who had to go through tons of hardships in her life. She will forever leave behind a legacy of being bold and not being afraid to share her opinion. She is an inspiration to many people who are snuggling. They know that there is hope for them because of her. She showed so many people that they are not alone and that even through the hurricane there will be a rainbow. She will forever be known as one of the most famous models and actresses of all time. 

Cited

Badman, Keith. Marilyn Monroe Final Years. NY, Thomas Dunne Books, 2015.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia. "Marilyn Monroe". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Aug. 2021,.

Buchtal, Stanley, and Bernard Commet. Fragments. NY, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2010.

Editors, Biography.com. "Marilyn Monroe Biography." 2 Apr. 2014.

Editors, History.com. "Marilyn Monroe Born." 13 Nov. 2009.

Franse, Astrid, and Michelle Morgan. Before Marilyn The Blue Book Modeling Years. New York, Thomas Dune Books, 2015. 

Kettler, Sara. "Marilyn Monroe:Fascinating Facts About The Real Woman Behind The Legend." 11 Sept. 2020.

Ott, Tim. "President." 8 Mar. 2019.

Taraborrelli, Randy J. The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe. New York, NY, Grand Central Publishing, 2009.