Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe (http://www.biography.com/people/marilyn-monroe-941 ())

When you think of Marilyn Monroe, what words come to mind? 1950s. Hollywood. Actress. Model. Singer. Fame. Sex symbol. John F. Kennedy. Joe DiMaggio. Not exactly the best role model, huh? Well I beg to differ. I admire her so much. Her courage, her confidence, and her humor are all distinguishing factors that make her stand out. It is true that Marilyn Monroe wasn't a woman like Audrey Hepburn that made a huge difference to the world. She didn't make any large donations, she wasn't part of any major charities that everyone knew about, but she was an extraordinary person.

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California, Monroe had a rough upbringing. She never really knew her father, and her mother was mentally unstable and financially unable to care for little Marilyn. Monroe was placed in foster care to a family in Hawthorne, California, but moved back in with her mother at around seven years of age. Monroe recalls that one day as she was at her foster parent's home when her biological mother visited and demanded that they return Monroe to her. She stuffed her in a bag. Poor little Marilyn was inside screaming, probably suffocating. She fell off to the ground and her foster mother pulled her towards her. Some time later, her mother bought a house and moved in with little Marilyn. Everything went relatively well until her mother had mental outbreaks until she was forced to go to the hospital. Monroe now belonged to the state until her mother's best friend became her legal guardian who was a true mother figure until Monroe was nine. It was she who told Marilyn that someday she would become a star. When she was sent back to the orphanage, she went from foster family, to foster family. She lived with a total of seven foster families. Aside from worrying about her mother's mental health, this is where she suffered all sorts of disorders and abuse from the foster families.

Monroe started her career as a model then moved on to doing many commercials, eventually leading films. When she landed a contract with 20th Century Fox, she didn't have any speaking roles in the films she was in, but while doing so, she took acting and singing lessons. It was during this time that she had dyed her hair blonde and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe; she originally didn't like it when Ben Lyon, an executive from 20th Century Fox, suggested it. When she had been released from her contract, Monroe signed another contract with Columbia Pictures in the late 1940s. Her small role in a crime drama garnered her a lot of attention. That same year, performance in All About Eve impressed critics and audiences though she wasn't "considered to he star acting material," she refined her skills and began attracting larger and larger audiences to her films. She was becoming one of Hollywood's most famous actresses. Monroe's voice and bombshell hourglass figure became admired all around the world despite her insecurities.

You still might be thinking, "How is she someone to look up to?" Marilyn Monroe has left a huge legacy behind, even though she only lived in this planet for 36 years. Many celebrities, including Madonna, Gwen Stefani and even Lady Gaga, have imitated her over the years. Michelle Williams has been by far the best Monroe look-a-like when she portrayed her in the famed movie, My Week with Marilyn. Today, she's still considered one of the world's most beautiful women and is still a major icon of sex appeal with her bodacious curves. I admire her so much because of her confidence. It wasn't easy overcoming her difficult childhood. I admire her strength, sense of humor and wit. She reminds me of me for some reason.

Even though she did not contribute much to the world, she did contribute her part to many women. Today, women admire her for being so carefree and confident. She was a woman at a time when women weren't thought of so highly. The reason she's so inspirational is because of her openness with her insecurities and nervousness. It makes us feel like even the most beautiful, glamorous, fabulous woman in the world can be self conscious just like us. You might not know this, but she did donate some of her time and money to some charities and supported civil rights. She gave many people strength when she was the first celebrity to talk about sexual abuse and aware people about it. Her beauty, grace, humor, and intelligence continues to inspire millions all over the world to this day, over 50 years after her death. She will forever be in our hearts. Marilyn Monroe is my hero.