Birth and Origins

Born as Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, she faced early instability with an unknown father and a mother unable to provide consistent care, leading to life in multiple foster homes.

Early Challenges

• She married James Dougherty at age 16 in 1942 to avoid institutional care, a decision driven by necessity rather than romance.
• Working as a factory assembly line inspector during WWII, she handled aircraft radios to support herself financially.

Education and Intellectual Pursuits

Despite minimal formal schooling, she taught herself extensively; reported IQ scores around 168 underscored her intellectual curiosity, including avid reading of classic literature and poetry.

Path to Fame

• Starting as a pin-up model to earn extra income, she pursued acting with relentless determination, signing her first film contract in 1946.
• Changed her name to Marilyn Monroe in 1948 after intensive acting training, marking a strategic reinvention despite personal shyness.