Who Is Marilyn Monroe? Age, Biography, and Wiki
As of 2025, if Marilyn Monroe were alive, she would be 98 years old. Her captivating persona as an American actress and model has transcended generations, making her one of the most famous cultural icons of the 20th century. Monroe’s films, magnetic charm, and tragic life story have made her a subject of fascination and analysis. For a detailed exploration of her life, please visit her Wikipedia page.
Occupation | Musicians |
---|---|
Date of Birth | June 1, 1926 |
Age | 36 Years |
Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Horoscope | Gemini |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 4 August, 1962 |
Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Marilyn Monroe's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Marilyn Monroe's body measurements have often been a topic of interest. Her height was approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm). She maintained a curvaceous figure, weighing around 118 pounds (54 kg) during her prime. Her iconic measurements were commonly reported as 36-24-36 inches, embodying the classic hourglass figure that has made her an eternal beauty standard.
Monroe next filmed a scene for Something's Got to Give in which she swam naked in a swimming pool. To generate advance publicity, the press was invited to take photographs; these were later published in Life. This was the first time that a major star had posed nude at the height of their career.
When she was again on sick leave for several days, Fox decided that it could not afford to have another film running behind schedule when it was already struggling with the rising costs of Cleopatra (1963). On June 7, Fox fired Monroe and sued her for $750,000 in damages.
She was replaced by Lee Remick, but after Martin refused to make the film with anyone other than Monroe, Fox sued him as well and shut down the production. The studio blamed Monroe for the film's demise and began spreading negative publicity about her, even alleging that she was mentally disturbed.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Marilyn Monroe's love life was as publicized as her career. Throughout her life, she was known to have had numerous high-profile relationships, including marriages to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller. Although Monroe did not have children, her romantic entanglements continue to attract attention and speculation. In 2025, discussions about her relationships remain a point of intrigue for fans and scholars alike, as the complexities of her romantic life are often intertwined with her professional journey.
Following the divorce, Gladys worked as a film negative cutter at Consolidated Film Industries. In 1924, she married Martin Edward Mortensen, but the union lasted only a few months, although they did not legally divorce until four years later.
Gladys named Mortensen (misspelled Mortenson) as Monroe's father in the birth certificate, but most of Monroe's biographers agree that this was unlikely as their separation had taken place well before she became pregnant.
According to biographers Fred Guiles and Lois Banner, her father was likely Charles Stanley Gifford, Gladys's superior at RKO Studios, with whom she had an affair in 1925. This was supported by a comparison conducted in 2022 between Monroe's DNA and that of one of Gifford's descendants.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her death, Marilyn Monroe's estimated net worth was around $10 million, an impressive sum considering the era in which she worked. With inflation, this figure would be even higher today. In modern context, Monroe’s estate continues to generate substantial income through licensing and promotional deals, particularly in fashion, beauty, and film retrospectives. Marilyn’s legacy remains a significant financial asset, with her images and memorabilia regularly sold at premium prices in auctions.
When the studio was still reluctant to change Monroe's contract, she founded her own film production company in 1954 with her friend Milton Greene. She dedicated 1955 to building the company and began studying method acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.
Later that year, Fox awarded her a new contract, which gave her more control and a larger salary. Her subsequent roles included a critically acclaimed performance in Bus Stop (1956) and her first independent production in The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), for which she received a BAFTA nomination.
She won a Golden Globe for her role in Some Like It Hot (1959), a critical and commercial success. Her last completed film was the drama The Misfits (1961).
Career, Business and Investments
Marilyn Monroe's career began in the 1940s and skyrocketed throughout the 1950s with films like "Some Like It Hot" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." Her influence in Hollywood was not just in her acting but also in her ability to market herself as a brand. Posthumously, Monroe's films are frequently renewed for re-release, reflecting ongoing demand for her work.
Moreover, in her lifetime, Monroe was known to have invested in real estate and various businesses, an area that was rare for women of her time. This savvy approach to business has inspired generations of female entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry.
Monroe became one of the most marketable Hollywood stars in 1953. She had leading roles in the film noir Niagara, which overtly relied on her sex appeal, and the comedies Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire, which established her star image as a "dumb blonde".
The same year, her nude images were used as the centerfold and cover of the first issue of Playboy. Monroe played a significant role in the creation and management of her public image, but felt disappointed when typecast and underpaid by the studio.
She was briefly suspended in early 1954 for refusing a film project but returned to star in The Seven Year Itch (1955), one of the biggest box office successes of her career.
Social Network
Today, Marilyn Monroe is celebrated across various social media platforms and fan communities. Her legacy is perpetuated on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where fans share quotes, images, and memorabilia. The Instagram page dedicated to her often gains thousands of likes and comments, revealing the enduring fascination with her life and career. Monroe's influence can be seen in contemporary culture with references in fashion, films, and art that pay homage to her unique style and persona.
Born in Los Angeles, Monroe spent most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage before marrying James Dougherty at the age of 16.
She was working in a factory during World War II when she met a photographer from the First Motion Picture Unit and began a successful pin-up modeling career, which led to short-lived film contracts with 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures.
After roles as a freelancer, she began a longer contract with Fox in 1951, becoming a popular actress with roles in several comedies, including As Young as You Feel and Monkey Business, and in the dramas Clash by Night and Don't Bother to Knock.
Monroe faced a scandal when it was revealed that she had posed for nude photographs prior to fame, but the story resulted in increased interest in her films.
Education
Marilyn Monroe's educational background was not conventional. She spent time in various schools in California and had a troubled upbringing that often prevented her from completing her studies. However, her determination to succeed in acting and modeling led her to attend acting classes, allowing her talent to flourish. Monroe's relentless pursuit of her passion serves as an inspiration to many aspiring actors and models today.
Monroe found a more permanent home in September 1938, when she began living with Grace's aunt Ana Lower in Sawtelle. Monroe was enrolled at Emerson Junior High School and went to weekly Christian Science services with Lower. She excelled in writing and contributed to the school newspaper, but was otherwise a mediocre student.
Owing to the elderly Lower's health problems, Monroe returned to live with the Goddards in Van Nuys in about early 1941. That same year, she began attending Van Nuys High School.