Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, came into the world under challenging circumstances. Her mother, Gladys Pearl Baker, struggled with mental health issues, which left Norma Jeane spending much of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage. This instability shaped her resilience and desire for a better life.

As a young girl, Norma Jeane found solace in movies, dreaming of one day being part of the glamorous world she saw on the silver screen. Her early years were marked by both hardship and determination. At 16, to avoid returning to foster care, she married her neighbor, James Dougherty, but the marriage ended in 1946 as Norma Jeane pursued independence and career aspirations.

While working in a munitions factory during World War II, Norma Jeane's life took an unexpected turn. A photographer spotted her and captured images that eventually launched her modeling career. With her natural beauty and photogenic charm, she quickly gained popularity, appearing in magazine covers and pin-up spreads. Realizing she could achieve more, Norma Jeane began her transformation into the persona that would captivate the world.

In 1946, she signed her first contract with Twentieth Century Fox and dyed her naturally brown hair blonde, adopting the name Marilyn Monroe—an homage to actress Marilyn Miller and her mother’s maiden name. Though her initial roles were small and unremarkable, Marilyn's charisma and screen presence stood out.

Her breakthrough came with a contract at Columbia Pictures in 1948 and later Universal, where she began appearing in more significant roles. It was in 1950, however, when her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve garnered critical attention, signaling her arrival as a rising star.

By the early 1950s, Marilyn had become a household name, embodying a new kind of Hollywood glamour. Her path to stardom had been anything but easy, yet her relentless drive and magnetic allure set the stage for her to become one of the most iconic figures in film history. This was just the beginning of a career that would redefine fame and leave an indelible mark on popular culture.