Marilyn Monroe

MARILYN MONROE – known favorite perfumes – Chanel No 5, Floris London Rose Geranium

In 1952, Marilyn was famously quoted as saying that she wore only “five drops of Chanel No. 5” in bed. It was infinitely scandalous for its time, and thus, launched Chanel No. 5 as one of the world’s most enduring, sexy fragrances. For generations, women have clamored to wear the same fragrances as the icon herself.

Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer and model. Her birth name was Norma Jeane Mortenson and she was born June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles. She died August 5, 1962. She was the third child of Gladys Pearl. Her mother married and divorced twice, and there is no official record of who Marilyn’s father was.

Monroe’s life was both glamorous and tragic, with equal measures of success and trauma. Her childhood was filled with sexual abuse, her relationships with betrayal and abuse, and her legacy remains complex and alluring, long past her demise.

She was involved in more than 30 films (in today’s money, worth more than $2 billion), and fought female stereotypes her entire career. Her iconic blonde bombshell image still attracts fans. Her untimely death still attracts questions and conspiracy theories.  

Born: June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California.

Died: August 5, 1962 in Los Angeles, California. 

Birth Name: Norma Jean Mortenson. 

Husbands:  James Doughtery (1942-1946); Joe DiMaggio (1954-1955); Arthur Miller (1956-1961)

Height: 5’5” (1.65 m)

Net Worth: $20 million

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Humanitarian causes: St. Jude’s hospital, Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, Anna Freud Children’s Clinic of London, The Milk Fund for Babies

Trivia:

• Her last name, Monroe, was her mother’s maiden name. 
• She is alleged to have had many romances and lovers: Charlie Chaplin, Jr; Sidney Chaplin; Milton Berle; Tony Curtis; Elia Kazan; President John Kennedy; Robert Kennedy; Marlon Brando; Frank Sinatra; Jerry Lewis
• Practiced yoga.
• Spent most of her childhood in orphanges and foster homes, where she was often abused. 
• Divorced her first husband while he was overseas, serving in the Merchant Marines. 
• Nude photos threatened to sink her career, but only served to propel her to greater stardom. 
• Frank Sinatra gifted her with a Maltese terrier puppy which she named Mafia Honey.
• Was the second woman in Hollywood to head her own production company. 

Quotes:

• “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.”
• “A wise girl knows her limits. A smart girl knows she has none.”
• “I don’t mind making jokes. I just don’t want to look like one.”
• “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
• “A strong man doesn’t have to be dominant towards a woman. He doesn’t match his strength against a woman weak with love for him. He matches it against the world.”
• “A girl doesn’t need anyone who doesn’t need her.”
• “I’ve been on a calendar, but I’ve never been on time.”
• “Beauty and femininity are ageless and can’t be contrived and glamour…cannot be manufactured. Not real glamour, it’s based on femininity.”
• “I don’t forgive people because I’m weak. I forgive people because I am strong enough to know people make mistakes.”
• “It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not.”