Marilyn Monroe Most Iconic Images

The real Marilyn Monroe

Image Source/ Everett CollectionMarilyn Monroe is actually not Marilyn's real name. This photo, taken in 1947, gives us a rare glimpse of the woman before she was known to the world... Norma Jean Mortenson. After hitting her big break, Norma Mortenson made a stage name that would ring like a bell through history.

Marilyn at the brink of her career

Image Source/ AP PhotoHow did Norma come to the decision about her important stage name? Well, it turns out that Ben Lyon, Head of Talent at Fox Studios coined her as a Marilyn, saying she had the look of one. She took the surname Monroe in honour of her late grandmother.

The 1940's beauty standards

Image Source/ AP PhotoYou'll be surprised to know that Marilyn's natural hair colour wasn't ever blonde, it was brunette. But those at Blue Book Modelling, Marilyn's modelling agency, requested that she bleached her darker hair. No doubt it was to adhere to the beauty standards of the time.

Marilyn enjoying her screen test

Image Source/ Everett CollectionTaken in 1947, we can see an early Marilyn at the start of her career. In this shot she's doing a screen test while on set. Rumours have it that Marilyn was quite erratic with her attendance on set, so often had to do screen tests alone away from the rest of the crew.

A welcoming Marilyn

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn was known for her gracious and welcoming warmth that she exerted which made her a much-beloved icon of the 1950s. This specific photo was taken in 1956 while she was greeting her houseguests at her Englefield Green estate in England, after her career had well and truly taken off.

Serving glamour to perfection

Image Source/ GettyIf there's one thing that Marilyn Monroe knew how to do, it was to serve glamour and prestige simultaneously. As you can see here, Marilyn was the queen of glam and served this look at an LA photoshoot in 1953. It was clear that she was always meant to leave a mark on the world.

Marilyn on the runway

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn wasn't a stranger to high-profile events, being an actress. After starring in Walter Lang's There's No Business Like Show Business, Marilyn could be seen departing her car to walk the runway at the premiere. I think it's fair to say that nobody styled it like her.

The fun side of Marilyn

Image Source/ GettyThere was always a playfulness about Marilyn that people grew to love. Although many of her shoots and films were serious and required hard work, it never stopped Marilyn from having fun. Taken in 1955, a red-dressed Marilyn gets intimate on the carpet with white fur as her pillow.

Sporty Marilyn

Image Source/ GettyDefying all odds, here we have Marilyn playing baseball in the 20th Century Fox Studios back in 1952. What makes this photo of Marilyn even more iconic is her choice of footwear: heels. I think it's fair to say nobody could quite style baseball like Marilyn.

Marilyn enjoying a flirt

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn was no stranger to locking eyes with her colleagues and counterparts, as can be seen by her risqué glance in this photo. Taken at the press conference for Let's Make Love in 1960, Marilyn is locking eyes with the renowned French actor Yves Montand.

Soaking up the sun

Image Source/ GettyWho doesn't love a day at the beach? It's clear that Marilyn loves it, and even still wears her heels. Sporting a fashionable polka dot bathing suit, Marilyn brings a whole new meaning to summer holiday. This is how you style out a beach look effortlessly.

Ravishing in red

Image Source/ GettySeeing photos of Marilyn in colour is astonishing and adds a new layer of depth to the photos. Her red lip accurately supporting the her red jumpsuit, and hand resting curiously on her neck. Marilyn is a sight to behold, before the lens and behind it too.

Marilyn elegantly sipping tea

Image Source/ GettyIt's clear that Marilyn was properly trained in the art of elegance and she pulls it off tremendously. Watching her sip this tea beside Sir Laurence Oliver is almost a cultural rest. This photo was taken in 1956 at the press conference for The Prince and the Showgirl.

The newly-weds

Image Source/ GettySporting a gorgeous scarf to protect her hair and stylish glasses to protect her eyes, Marilyn rides around in her Thunderbird convertible. Taken in 1956, she was photographed beside her new husband Arthur Miller while darting about New York City.

Marilyn the jetsetter

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn was quite the jetsetter and worked on a number of projects internationally. In 1961, she completely reinvented the airport outfit when she arrived at the New York International Airport, which is now more commonly known as the LaGuadia airport.

Booted, suited and sequined

Image Source/ GettyIn 1962, Marilyn was very proudly awarded at the Henrietta award at the Golden Globes in LA. The Henrietta award was set up in honour of Henrietta Banford, award-winning author, and celebrated the excellence in writing and publishing for children.

Timeless in black

Image Source/ GettyThis photo of Marilyn can only be described as timeless. It's hard to believe that the photo was taken in more recent years, and almost gives us a glance at what modern life with Marilyn would look like. It was shot in 1953 on Marilyn's patio in California.

The Sleeping Beauty

Image Source/ GettyYou know celebrities also need their beauty sleep, right? Well, here you can see that Marilyn's busy schedule had tired her out, so she took a quick power nap in her very cosy white fur coat. She was snapped here back in 1955 somewhere in the Big Apple.

The face of an award winner

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn won an abundance of awards during her career, and this was one of to those moments. Her reaction was caught as she was named for winning the Star of Tomorrow Awards, taking place in Los Angeles back in 1952. Marilyn's reaction gives elated but not surprised.

Doused in cologne

Image Source/ GettyA glamorous woman like Marilyn needs a glamorous scent, and that's what Chanel's No. 5 perfume offered here. She was enjoying dousing herself in the perfume while staying at the New York City based Ambassador Hotel, a notorious hotel for it's celebrity guests.

Giving body at the shoreline

Image Source/ GettyI mean, if you have a body like that, you would be keen to get it on show, so when she visited landmarks and viewpoints she was keen to snap a few shots. This was taken in 1951 while Marilyn stood at the backdrop of a sunny beach and the brink of the Pacific Ocean.

Model material

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn was tremendous at her job. She got dressed up for all her shoots while still looking effortlessly and naturally beautiful. This photo is one of the best examples of the duality of her natural talent for modelling but paired with the jewellery, clothes and make up.

Actress on the road

Image Source/ GettyAside from being the world's most famous and timeless model, Marilyn had a good dabble as an actress during her very successful career. This was a shot of Marilyn while filming a scene for John Huston's The Misfits, filmed in Nevada sometime in the early 1960's.

Dancing queen

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn was astounding at lifting the morale of those around her, on and off duty. This is a shot of an impressive Marilyn dancing alone while on the set of filming for The Prince and the Showgirl. The photo was actually taken in the UK around 1956.

Marilyn smitten

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn was a sucker for love, and you can see that in her eyes whenever she was pictured with her husband Arthur Miller. This photo was taken sometime during the 1950s while she locked her arms with Arthur sporting a black-fur lined two piece. Stunning to say the least.

In her swimsuit and coat

Image Source/ GettyI don't think that we can say anyone else could pull off a swimsuit, heels and a long coat in the same way that Marilyn does. She was pictured topping up her tan in 1950, stood leant against a 1950 Pontiac Chieftain. It was taken in the 20th Century Fox parking lot.

How to Marry a Millionaire

Image Source/ GettyI think it's fair to say that this is one of the most iconic images we've seen yet of Marilyn. Sporting an embroidered dress, she was snapped while resting at director Jean Negulesco's home in 1953. She was attending the premiere of the film How to Marry a Millionaire.

Marilyn stays busy by entertaining the troops

Image Source/ GettyMarilyn Monroe was eager to help good causes around the world and even flew to Korea during the way in order to boost that morale of US troops during a USO tour. Shot in 1954, she can be seen putting on an insane performance for the troops, an extraordinary performance.

The inner child of Marilyn Monroe

Image Source/ GettyWhat better photo to end on than this one? Marilyn was one hell of a woman, and that was shown throughout her career, in her work as a model, actress and charitable person. But she never forgot to be fun, light-hearted and care-free, revealing her inner child at any convenience.