Marilyn Monroe used hormone creams to keep her skin soft and plump. She also applied a thick layer of Vaseline under her makeup for a dewy and glowing complexion.

Marilyn Monroe wasn’t born “Marilyn Monroe.” Her real name was Norma Jeane Mortenson, later baptized as Norma Jeane Baker. She only adopted her famous stage name in 1946 when she signed a contract with 20th Century Fox. “Marilyn” came from actress Marilyn Miller, and “Monroe” was her mother’s maiden name.

Although Marilyn is known for her iconic platinum blonde locks, she was actually born a brunette. Her transformation to blonde was a strategic career move, suggested by her modeling agency to help her stand out in Hollywood's competitive world.

Marilyn wasn’t just a pretty face. She was an avid reader and owned a personal library of over 400 books. Her collection included works by literary heavyweights like James Joyce, Leo Tolstoy, and Walt Whitman. Despite her bombshell image, she was deeply intellectual and took literature seriously.

Monroe stood up for herself in a time when few women did, especially in Hollywood. When she learned she was earning far less than her male co-stars, she fought back, eventually founding her own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, to gain more control over her career and salary.

Though Hollywood often typecast her as the “dumb blonde,” Monroe was far from it. She had an IQ of 168, which is considered "genius" level. Her intelligence was often underestimated because of the roles she played, but she was a sharp businesswoman and a critical thinker.

One of the most famous dresses in history is the sparkling, skin-tight gown she wore while singing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The dress was so snug it had to be sewn onto her! It later sold for a staggering $4.8 million at auction, making it the most expensive dress ever sold.

Modeling to Stardom: Marilyn’s rise to fame started with a chance encounter. While working at a munitions factory during World War II, she was discovered by a photographer who was snapping pictures of women working in factories. This led to her career in modeling and ultimately launched her into Hollywood.

A famous (yet apocryphal) story claims that Marilyn once joked with Albert Einstein, suggesting they should have children together, saying, “With your brains and my looks, we could create the perfect child!” Einstein is said to have replied, “What if the child got my looks and your brains?”

Early in her life, Monroe struggled with a stutter, which is quite surprising given her career as an actress. She overcame it through speech therapy, but occasionally it would return, especially during times of stress.

The legendary scene from The Seven Year Itch (1955), where Marilyn’s white dress blows up over a subway grate, was never meant to be so iconic. The scene caused quite the stir, especially because they shot it in public, with a large crowd watching and cheering.

Monroe is famously associated with Chanel No. 5 perfume. When asked what she wore to bed, she famously replied, “Why, Chanel No. 5, of course.” This simple statement made the perfume an instant classic and part of her sultry image.

Monroe was known for her unique way of walking, which became one of her many trademarks. To achieve her famous wiggle, she would reportedly have one heel cut shorter than the other on her shoes. This subtle difference added to her unforgettable, sultry strut.