In addition to being my 25th birthday, today marks the anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death. On August 5, 1962, Monroe was found dead in her Brentwood, California, home. There are many speculations as to the cause of her departure, and I am a firm believer in the conspiracy theories (especially the one involving Bobby Kennedy), but I won’t get into that!

The world may never actually know how the screen legend spent her final hours on this earth, but one thing has remained true since that fateful day 46 years ago; Monroe embodies a gorgeousness that many women still appreciate. She was much more than just a bombshell. Despite the fact that the beauty was Hugh Heffner’s original pin-up girl in the first issue of Playboy Magazine, she was also a vulnerable woman looking for love. The love, presumably, that she lacked as a child.

Born Norma Jean Baker, the legend who would later become known as Marilyn Monroe, had a difficult life. She never knew her father, and because of her mother’s mental condition, she grew up in orphanages for a good part of her childhood. Subsequent to marrying young and taking a job at a factory during World War II, she was discovered by a photographer and began modeling. Soon thereafter, she was acting under the name “Marilyn Monroe” (using her grandmother’s last name).

It is debated whether Monroe underwent cosmetic procedures to propel her to the level of loveliness for which she is known. The procedures that she is said to have undergone include cosmetic dentistry to fix her front teeth, chin surgery, and nasal surgery. Although not cosmetic, her bleach blonde hair was a big part of her makeover as well.

Once Monroe was a full-blown Hollywood star, she still suffered. While she was adored by many, she was still often seen as a sex object and desperately wanted to be taken seriously as an actress. Along with this, she had three unsuccessful marriages. In her last months, there is no argument that the star was depressed. However, many close to her say that in the days leading up to her passing, things had turned around and her spirits had greatly improved.

As the years continue to pass since the death of Marilyn Monroe, her fame continues to grow. Had the actress lived on past the age of 36, would she have achieved the respect that she deserved? It’s sad to say, but even with the relevance that she still holds today, it’s mainly because of her appealing appearance. Those who claim to love Monroe usually can’t even name more than one or two of her films.

One thing is for certain though; she achieved the love she was seeking, just not in the form that she desired.  

“I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because  I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.” —Marilyn Monroe

Photo Credits: MarilynMonroe.com and HubPages