Marilyn Monroe is possibly the most iconic figure in American culture and the most recognizable sex symbol of all times. However, behind Monroe's photogenic smile was a fragile individual who was exploited and subjected to mind control by powerful handlers. The first part of this two-part series will look at the hidden life of Marilyn, a Hollywood Monarch slave.
Myth: Marilyn Monroe was a size 12-16. From Roseanne Barr stating, "I'm more sexy than Pamela Lee or whoever else they've got out there these days. Marilyn Monroe was a size 16. That says it all", to Elizabeth Hurley stating, "I've always thought Marilyn Monroe looked fabulous, but I'd kill myself if I was that fat...I went to see her [...]
In 1946, Norma Jeane's modeling career had taken off, coinciding with the boom in exploitation magazines. Though virtually nonexistent today, these types of publications flooded the market after World War II, particularly after paper rationing ended in 1950. Several types of exploitation magazines appeared on newsstands following the war.
Marilyn Monroe experienced heartache and sorrow over the failure of her three marriages. Monroe's first marriage to Jim Dougherty was when she was sixteen and appeared to be an arranged marriage of convenience. Her second marriage to Joe DiMaggio ended within a year. Marilyn's third marriage to Arthur Miller could not withstand her self-destructive behavior.