Marilyn Monroe: A Tribute to Hollywood’s Iconic Star

Marilyn Monroe, the legendary actress and s** symbol of the 50s, captivated audiences with her beauty and talent before her tragic death in 1962 at the age of 36.

Known for her roles in timeless classics like How to Marry a Millionaire and Some Like It Hot, Marilyn became an international sensation and left an indelible mark on the world.

To commemorate what would have been Marilyn's 96th birthday, the Daily Star has compiled a list of fascinating facts about the iconic star that you may not have known.

These insights shed light on Marilyn's life and reveal some intriguing details about her persona.

One of the most memorable moments in Marilyn's career was her famous performance of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” for John F. Kennedy.

However, what many people don't know is that Marilyn had to be sewn into the crystal-covered n^de dress she wore for the occasion.

The dress was so tight that it required intricate stitching to fit Marilyn perfectly.

This dress later became the highest-selling dress at an auction, fetching a staggering $1.26 million.

In a surprising turn of events, the dress was recently worn by Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala in 2022, keeping Marilyn's legacy alive.

Another interesting fact about Marilyn is her connection to Playboy magazine.

In 1953, Marilyn graced the cover of the very first edition of Playboy, cementing her status as a s** symbol.

However, despite this association, Marilyn never actually met Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy.

Hefner once revealed that he had spoken to Marilyn on the phone but had never had the opportunity to meet her in person.

Nevertheless, Hefner purchased the crypt next to Marilyn's resting place for $75,000, expressing his desire to spend eternity beside the iconic actress.

Marilyn's signature breathy voice, which enchanted audiences, was actually a technique she developed to conceal her childhood stutter.

A speech therapist worked with Marilyn to train her in using this distinctive voice, making it one of her most recognizable traits.

However, during the filming of her last movie, Something's Got To Give, Marilyn's stutter resurfaced, causing difficulties in delivering her lines.

Unfortunately, this led to her being fired from the role, marking a tragic end to her career.

Intriguingly, Marilyn was the first choice to portray Holly Golightly in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Truman Capote, the author of the novella on which the film is based, envisioned Marilyn in the role.

However, Marilyn's advisor and stage coach advised against it, believing that she should not be playing a lady of the evening.

Ultimately, Audrey Hepburn was cast, leaving Capote feeling disappointed and betrayed by the decision.

While Marilyn Monroe exuded glamour on screen, behind the scenes, she had some less glamorous habits.

According to Clarke Gable's biography by David Bret, Marilyn was known to be flatulent, messy, and had questionable hygiene.

Marilyn's co-star in the film The Misfits, Clarke Gable, reportedly mentioned her uncleanliness and peculiar eating habits.

It was said that Marilyn slept nude, rarely bathed, and would eat in bed, even pushing food scraps under the sheets before sleeping.

These lesser-known facts about Marilyn Monroe shed light on the complexities of her life and persona.

Despite her untimely death, Marilyn continues to captivate audiences and remains an enduring symbol of beauty and talent.

As we celebrate what would have been her 96th birthday, let us remember Marilyn Monroe as a true Hollywood legend whose legacy will forever live on.

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