On August 5th, 1962, screen icon Marilyn Monroe was found dead in bed at her Los Angeles home.
The 36-year-old actress’ body was discovered in the early hours of this morning by two doctors who were called to her Brentwood home by a concerned housekeeper.
The doctors were forced to break into Miss Monroe’s bedroom after being unable to open the door. She was found lying naked in her bed with an empty bottle of Nembutal sleeping pills by her side.
The local coroner, who visited the scene later, said the circumstances of Monroe’s death indicated a “possible suicide”.
In context
Marilyn Monroe was buried in the Corridor of Memories at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Two months before she died Monroe had been fired by Fox Productions for repeatedly failing to turn up on the set of the film Something Has Got To Give.
The production was never completed even though Monroe was re-hired by the film company on 1 August.
During the months before her death she had been seeing Joe DiMaggio and the pair had agreed to re-marry on 8 August 1962.
There has been much speculation about Marilyn Monroe’s death and the causes of it. Many have suggested that it was highly unlikely she committed suicide but perhaps accidentally took an overdose of drugs.
Others have suggested that a third party may have administered the drug.
A life of light and shadows
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on 1 June 1926 in Los Angeles, Monroe’s early life was far from glamorous. Raised mostly in foster homes and orphanages due to her mother’s (Gladys Baker) mental health struggles, she learned resilience from an early age. Her mother, Gladys Baker, had mental problems which resulted in Norma Jeane spending most of her childhood in foster homes and orphanages.
After marrying her neighbour, Jimmy Dougherty in 1942 and working in a wartime factory, her striking beauty caught the attention of a military photographer. In 1944 while her husband was serving in the South Pacific with the Merchant Marines, Norma Jeane was discovered by photographer David Conover – a chance encounter that would change the course of her life
By 1946, she had signed with 20th Century Fox, adopting the name Marilyn Monroe. Over the next decade, Monroe would become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, combining beauty, comedic talent, and emotional vulnerability in performances that captivated audiences worldwide.
Since 1947 she has appeared in 30 films, including The Prince and the Showgirl, Bus Stop, The Seven Year Itch, How to Marry a Millionaire and Some Like it Hot, for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy.
Her 1954 marriage to baseball star Joe DiMaggio lasted just nine months and on 29 June 1956 the star married playwright Arthur Miller.
But that marriage ended in 1961. Miss Monroe’s romantic life has long been the subject of speculation and she has been linked with President Kennedy.
A cultural icon
With films like The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and How to Marry a Millionaire, Monroe became the embodiment of 1950s glamour and sensuality. Her breathy voice, platinum hair, and hourglass figure were instantly recognisable — but beneath the image lay a woman of surprising intellect, depth, and ambition.
She founded her own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, in 1955 — a bold move for a woman in Hollywood at the time — and pushed for roles that allowed her to showcase her range and grow beyond the “dumb blonde” stereotype.
“Happy birthday, Mr President”
One of the most enduring and controversial aspects of Marilyn Monroe’s legacy is her alleged relationship with President John F. Kennedy. While never officially confirmed, speculation about their connection has persisted for decades, fuelled by Monroe’s now-legendary performance of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” at Madison Square Garden in May 1962 — just months before her death. Delivered in a breathy, intimate tone in front of a national audience, the performance only intensified rumours of an affair. Some biographers and historians suggest the relationship may have been brief, while others question whether it occurred at all. Regardless of the truth, the association between Monroe and the Kennedy family has become part of American cultural mythology — symbolising the dangerous intersection of fame, power, and secrecy in mid-century America.
Loved and mourned worldwide
At the time of her death, Monroe was in the midst of a tumultuous period, both professionally and personally. Her film Something’s Got to Give had stalled, but she had just been re-hired on August 1. She was also rekindling her relationship with former husband Joe DiMaggio, with whom she had reportedly planned to remarry on August 8.
Millions of fans were left shocked and heartbroken by her untimely death. DiMaggio, deeply affected, arranged for red roses to be delivered to her crypt at Westwood Memorial Park every week for 20 years — a poignant testament to their bond and the deep grief her passing caused.
Legacy that transcends time
More than six decades after her death, Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most enduring figures in global pop culture. Her image has become iconic — reproduced in countless works of art, advertisements, and fashion campaigns. Andy Warhol’s famed pop art portrait of her is a symbol of her eternal status as a muse and myth.
Despite the tragic nature of her life and death, Monroe’s legacy continues to evolve. She is now recognised not only for her beauty and charisma but also for her struggle to be taken seriously in a male-dominated industry, and for the vulnerability and strength she showed behind the spotlight.
Today, Monroe continues to inspire books, documentaries, films, and academic study. New generations of fans discover her through streaming platforms, social media tributes, and exhibitions dedicated to her life and work. Her appeal crosses boundaries of age, culture, and language.
Remembering Marilyn
On this day, as the world remembers Marilyn Monroe, we are reminded not only of her immense talent and unforgettable screen presence but also of the complex, thoughtful woman behind the dazzling smile. She was – and remains – a symbol of both the golden age of Hollywood and the human cost of fame.
Her life, though brief, left an indelible mark on cinema, culture, and the hearts of millions.
“Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.”
– Marilyn Monroe
Also read: ON THIS DAY: Assassination of President John F. Kennedy (1963)
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With information from: news.bbc.co.uk
