On June 1, fans, media organisations and cultural commentators around the world marked what would have been the 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe, celebrating the enduring legacy of one of Hollywood’s most influential and recognisable figures.
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on 1 June 1926 in Los Angeles, Monroe rose from a difficult childhood spent between foster homes and an orphanage to become one of the defining stars of the twentieth century. A century after her birth, her image, films and cultural influence continue to resonate with audiences across generations.
Tributes highlighted Monroe’s remarkable career, which transformed her from a wartime factory worker and model into a global screen icon. After signing her first film contract with Twentieth Century Fox in 1946, she went on to star in a string of successful productions, including ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’, ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’, ‘The Seven Year Itch’ and ‘Some Like It Hot’.
Her performances helped establish her as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, while her distinctive screen presence and public persona made her a lasting symbol of glamour and celebrity culture.
To mark the centenary, more than 1,000 fans gathered in Palm Springs, California, dressed in Monroe’s iconic white dress and platinum blonde hairstyle from ‘The Seven Year Itch’. The event set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Marilyn Monroe, with 1,037 participants reportedly taking part.
Writers and cultural commentators also reflected on Monroe’s lasting impact on fashion, beauty and popular culture. Many noted that she transcended her status as a film star to become a global symbol whose image remains instantly recognisable decades after her death.
Her influence extended beyond cinema. Monroe used her fame to support charitable causes, particularly those involving children and medical research. She worked with organisations supporting vulnerable children and contributed to causes including the March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation.
Despite her extraordinary success, Monroe faced personal struggles throughout her life, including intense public scrutiny and severe performance anxiety. Her marriages to baseball star Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller attracted significant public attention, further cementing her status as one of the most closely watched celebrities of her era.
Monroe died at her home in Brentwood, California, on August 4, 1962 at the age of 36. During a leading film career that lasted little more than a decade, she appeared in 30 films and became one of the most enduring figures in entertainment history.
A hundred years after her birth, Monroe remains a cultural touchstone whose influence can still be seen across film, fashion, photography and popular culture.
