A century ago today—on June 1, 1926—a star was born who would change the face of Hollywood forever. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles, California, she endured a turbulent and deeply challenging childhood before transforming herself into Marilyn Monroe, the ultimate silver screen icon. Her life burned brilliantly, fueled by an undeniable magnetism, radiant beauty, and a complex vulnerability that made her universally captivating. Today marks exactly 100 years since her birth, offering a profound moment to reflect on a woman who transcended the movie industry to become a permanent, larger-than-life fixture in the global consciousness.
Tragically, Marilyn only lived to celebrate 36 birthdays, with her final one occurring on June 1, 1962, just months before her untimely death. Yet, in those 36 years, she achieved a level of lasting fame that most can only dream of. While the media often focused entirely on her glamorous public persona and high-profile romances, she was a fiercely dedicated artist who fought against studio typecasting, bravely formed her own production company, and continually honed her craft. From critically acclaimed dramatic turns to legendary comedic performances, she proved time and again that she was much more than just a captivating photograph.
To honor her extraordinary 100th birthday, we are looking back at the definitive highlights of her life and career. Her enduring legacy is built upon a foundation of unforgettable on-screen magic, trailblazing behind-the-scenes victories, and cultural milestones that still resonate with audiences today. In celebration of her undeniable talent and the indelible mark she left on pop culture, we have curated the 36 most iconic moments from her 36 years—from breathtaking, history-making photo shoots to the timeless silver screen performances that will ensure her name lives on for another hundred years.
The Defining Movie Moments
1. The Subway Grate Scene (The Seven Year Itch, 1955) Perhaps the most famous image in cinematic history: Marilyn standing over a New York City subway grate as a passing train blows her white halter dress up around her knees.
2. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953) Draped in a shocking pink William Travilla gown and dripping in diamonds, Marilyn’s legendary musical number set a gold standard that has been parodied and paid homage to by everyone from Madonna to Margot Robbie.
3. “I Wanna Be Loved By You” (Some Like It Hot, 1959) In one of the greatest comedies ever made, Marilyn’s breathless, spotlight-stealing rendition of this classic tune as Sugar Kane Kowalczyk is pure movie magic.
4. The Breakout Role (The Asphalt Jungle, 1950) Though her screen time was brief, her role as Angela Phinlay in John Huston’s noir classic proved she was more than just a pretty face and put her on the map as a serious Hollywood player.
5. Stealing the Show in All About Eve (1950) As Miss Caswell, a “graduate of the Copacabana School of Dramatic Art,” Marilyn held her own against heavyweight Bette Davis, proving her razor-sharp comedic timing early in her career.
6. The Red Dress (Niagara, 1953) This thriller didn’t just establish Marilyn as a top-tier star; it established her signature “walk” and cemented her status as a global sex symbol, highlighted by a stunning, curve-hugging magenta dress.
7. “Two Little Girls from Little Rock” (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953) Opening the film in matching red sequined gowns alongside Jane Russell, the duo’s dazzling chemistry made this musical number an instant Hollywood classic.
8. The Glasses Routine (How to Marry a Millionaire, 1953) Playing the fiercely nearsighted Pola Debevoise, Marilyn proved she wasn’t afraid to look silly, using her character’s refusal to wear glasses as a brilliant physical comedy gag.
9. “That Old Black Magic” (Bus Stop, 1956) Eager to shed her glamorous typecasting, Marilyn delivered a beautifully tragic, unpolished, and raw rendition of this song, earning immense critical acclaim for her dramatic acting.
10. Proving Her Dramatic Chops (Clash by Night, 1952) Starring opposite Barbara Stanwyck, a young Marilyn showed a gritty, naturalistic side in this Fritz Lang drama, proving she could handle heavy material.
11. “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” (Let’s Make Love, 1960) Dressed in a chunky knit sweater and black tights, her playful, sultry performance of this Cole Porter classic is arguably the best part of the entire film.
12. The Rafting Scenes (River of No Return, 1954) Performing many of her own stunts in the treacherous rapids alongside Robert Mitchum, this Western showed a more rugged, adventurous side of the glamorous star.
13. The Misfits (1961) Penned by her husband Arthur Miller and acting opposite her childhood idol Clark Gable, Marilyn’s performance as the deeply empathetic Roslyn Taber was her final—and arguably most heartbreakingly brilliant—completed film role.
14. The Pool Scene (Something’s Got to Give, 1962) In what would be her final, unfinished film, Marilyn made headlines by skinny dipping in a pool sequence, proving she still held the world’s absolute attention.
Behind-the-Scenes & Hollywood Milestones
15. Creating Marilyn Monroe Productions (1954) Tired of being underpaid and typecast by 20th Century Fox, Marilyn famously walked out and formed her own production company—a trailblazing move for female agency in the studio era.
16. Winning a Golden Globe (1960) After years of critics underestimating her, Marilyn took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her flawless work in Some Like It Hot.
17. Leaving Her Handprints in Cement (1953) Alongside her Gentlemen Prefer Blondes co-star Jane Russell, Marilyn immortalized her hands and heels in the wet cement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
18. The Name Change (1946) Norma Jeane Dougherty signed her first studio contract and, alongside executive Ben Lyon, officially chose the stage name that would become known around the world: Marilyn Monroe.
19. Receiving the Henrietta Award (1962) At the 1962 Golden Globes, Marilyn was awarded the Henrietta Award for “World Film Favorite,” proving her enduring global popularity just months before her death.
20. The Press Conference with Laurence Olivier (1956) Announcing The Prince and the Showgirl, Marilyn faced the ruthless British press alongside the classically trained Olivier, navigating the room with trademark wit and charm.
Pop Culture & Historical Moments
21. “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” (1962) Sewn into a sheer, rhinestone-encrusted Jean Louis gown, Marilyn’s breathy birthday serenade to JFK at Madison Square Garden remains one of the most famous live performances of the 20th century.
22. Entertaining the Troops in Korea (1954) Interrupting her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn performed ten shows in four days for over 100,000 U.S. Marines in freezing temperatures, a memory she often called the highlight of her life.
23. The Potato Sack Photo Shoot (1951) After a columnist insulted her, claiming she’d look better in a potato sack than the dress she was wearing, Marilyn’s studio staged a shoot of her wearing exactly that—and she looked stunning.
24. The First Cover of Playboy (1953) Hugh Hefner purchased a calendar nude of Marilyn to use as the centerfold for the debut issue of his magazine. While she didn’t pose for the magazine directly, it launched the publication into the stratosphere.
25. Meeting Queen Elizabeth II (1956) Attending the premiere of The Battle of the River Plate in London, Marilyn broke royal protocol slightly by wearing a low-cut metallic gown, creating a legendary photo op of the two 30-year-old icons meeting.
26. The Norma Jeane Discovery Photos (1944) While working at the Radioplane Munitions Factory during WWII, a young Norma Jeane was photographed by David Conover, kickstarting her modeling career.
27. Marrying Joe DiMaggio (1954) The union of America’s greatest baseball player and its biggest movie star was a media circus, solidifying Marilyn as a fixture in the national consciousness.
28. Marrying Arthur Miller (1956) Her marriage to the esteemed intellectual playwright fascinated the public, leading to the famous “Egghead Weds Hourglass” headlines.
29. The DiMaggio Divorce Press Conference (1954) A tearful Marilyn faced a chaotic mob of reporters outside her lawyer’s home to announce the end of her 9-month marriage, a stark look at the media frenzy that constantly surrounded her.
30. Being Named “The Most Advertised Girl in the World” (1953) The Advertising Association of the West gave her this title, proving that Marilyn’s face was the ultimate tool for selling absolutely anything.
The Legendary Photo Shoots
31. The “Last Sitting” (1962) Captured by Bert Stern for Vogue just weeks before her death, these intimate, ghostly, and beautiful photographs are a poignant look at the star in her final days.
32. The Ballerina Sitting (1954) Photographer Milton H. Greene captured Marilyn in an ill-fitting tulle ballerina dress. The resulting photos were playful, vulnerable, and deeply human.
33. Reading Ulysses (1955) Photographed by Eve Arnold on a playground reading James Joyce’s notoriously difficult novel, this image perfectly captured Marilyn’s lifelong, earnest desire for intellectual self-improvement.
34. The “Black Sitting” (1956) Also shot by Milton H. Greene, these moody portraits of Marilyn in a black velvet dress, top hat, and fishnets remain some of the most striking and artistic photos ever taken of her.
35. Biking in Amagansett (1956) Candid photos of a relaxed, makeup-free Marilyn riding a bicycle with Arthur Miller in Long Island showed a rare, peaceful glimpse of the woman behind the superstar persona.
36. The Richard Avedon Portraits (1958) Avedon photographed Marilyn for Life magazine recreating famous historical seductresses, but his most famous shot is the candid one he took at the end of the night—capturing a sudden, heartbreaking look of exhaustion and melancholy on her face as the persona dropped.
