30 Rarely Seen Photos of Marilyn Monroe

On the surface, Marilyn Monroe was a famous actress, comedienne, singer, and model. But just beneath this perfect veneer of fame she was an enigma: a talented yet relentlessly unhappy woman who was seeking approval and true love. She tried to find it in her work, in her multiple marriages, and eventually in illicit substances. One thing that never changed in her lifetime? She was a star, through and through.

1. Marilyn Monroe had a tough childhood

The woman who eventually became Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926. Her mother was a film cutter at Consolidated Film Industries and her father’s identity remains a mystery to this day. He got on his motorcycle and disappeared before Marilyn was even born. She later became Norma Jean Baker when her mother changed her last name later when she remarried.

Next: Her family life was challenging.