If there lived a woman who could turn heads like no other, her name was Marilyn Monroe. Perhaps it was her patent charm, or her blatant sexuality impeccably blended with girly innocence that made her the legend she is; or maybe it was the controversies – the nude photographs, the three marriages, and the alleged affair with one of the most famous Presidents of the United States. But the secret (as Dan Brown puts it) lies in how to die. Marilyn Monroe’s death is shrouded in mystery, and surrounded by numerous conspiracy theories, thereby conferring a permanent place for her in the minds of the masses. Whatever be the reason, Marilyn Monroe was tailor-made for fame, in life, and in death.

On June 1, 1926, Marilyn Monroe, then Norma Jeane Mortenson (baptized as Norma Jeane Baker) was born in Los Angeles, California. The identity of her father remains unknown, and her mother, Gladys Baker, was committed to a mental institution due to psychological problems some years after Norma’s birth. Norma Jeane, after spending most of her childhood in foster homes, married her 21 year old neighbour Jimmy Dougherty on June 19, 1942, when she was only 16. Jimmy left for the Merchant Marines in 1944. It was when Jimmy was gone, that she caught the attention of David Conover, a photographer who introduced her to the modeling business.

Here was an orphaned girl of astounding beauty, who by a chance of fate met a photographer, and two years down, she was an established model, and 7 years later she became a star. She was born twice (once as Norma Jeane, and then as Marilyn Mornroe) and married thrice (Jimmy Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio, and Arthur). The unquestionable sex appeal, the controversies and the men in her life gave her a permanent spot in the lime light. She was well versed with the art of catching people’s attention. Once, when she was asked about what she wears to bed, she replied, “What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course.”  In between the movies, mania and marriages, she dated many men, the most controversial of her affairs being the alleged affairs with President John F Kennedy and his brother Robert Kennedy. Marilyn sang her (in)famous “Happy Birthday Mr President” for J F Kennedy at the President’s 45^th birthday celebration on May 19, 1962, to which almost 15000 people were invited. The song, reputed for the sultry tone in which it was sung, confirmed the existence of the affair for many. But this would turn out to be one of her last major public appearances. On August 5, 1962, Marilyn Monroe was discovered dead in her bed, phone clutched in her hand, and overdosed on barbiturates.

The death of Monroe, in 1962 became and remains to this day, one of the most sizzling controversies ever. The official reports say her death was an accident. But many felt that the evidence in the case said quite the contrary. There are various schools of thought when it comes to the question of what could have happened to Monroe. Some say she committed suicide due to severe mental anguish, which she had been feeling for quite sometime, the reason why she saw her psychiatrist everyday. Others say that the Kennedys would have wanted her out of the picture because their affairs with her would cause ill repute to them. Still others say that the Mafia took keen interest in Monroe because of her ties with the Advocate General at the time – Robert Kennedy. The irony of human life is that no matter how much one may educate oneself, the best secrets will never be discovered. The same goes for Monroe. We will never know how she really died.

It would be wrong though, to presume that Marilyn was merely a pretty face who led an insubstantial life. On the contrary, her life was exemplary of the ability to choose one’s own destiny and to be defined as what one wants to be defined as. She was not afraid of speaking her heart. But the secret is always how to die. Maybe, she wanted eternal fame, and that’s why she committed suicide. Or maybe someone, not realising, shot her into eternal fame by murdering her. Marilyn Monroe like Julius Caesar, shall always be remembered more due to her death than her life.

Useful Resources:

Marilyn Monroe

Biography

Her life and death