Marilyn Monroe disappeared six decades ago but her myth lives on intact. A new film about her life, the controversy over Kim Kardashian's dress, or the auction record for a Warhol work proves that "the blonde temptation" is still the most iconic actress in cinema.
This Thursday marks six decades since the death at the age of 36 of the actress, whose captivating charm and photo generic hid a life plagued by heartbreak, abuse, and addictions, which tragically ended in an overdose.
For posterity are her roles in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" ("Some Like It Hot"), her flowing skirt in "Temptation Lives Up" (The Seven Year Itch"), and her ode to Diamonds in "How Hunt a Millionaire" ("How To Marry A Millionaire").
Little remains to be told about her life, but everything related to Marilyn Monroe has assured attention.
In a few weeks, the star will be resurrected on the big screen thanks to Ana de Armas and director Andrew Dominik. «Blonde», a feature film recorded in black and white, will arrive at the Venice Festival surrounded by expectation.
The biopic, produced by Netflix and Brad Pitt, is based on the eponymous book published in 2021 by Joyce Carol Oates, which delves into the chiaroscuro of the actress's personal life.
Few facets of her life and her tragic death remain to be revealed, but the film is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated of the year.
It is not the only example. In recent years the image of the actress has continued to star in advertising campaigns and the auctions of her belongings have ensured attention - be it her Golden Globe or her prayer book. Any item related to Marilyn Monroe has an insured owner.
A few months ago, Kim Kardashian took much of the limelight at the Met Gala media after appearing in one of the actress's most famous dresses, the one she wore to interpret the famous "Happy Birthday" that she dedicated to President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
To put on the dress, made of flesh-colored chiffon and sequins, she Kardashian declared that she had gone on a diet to lose seven kilos and "fit" in it. The media attention did not take long to degenerate into controversy over the state in which the dress was left after use, which suffered numerous damages on the back.
Another proof of the relevance of the myth of the actress was the recent auction of “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” (“Shot of Marilyn in sage blue”), a Warhol series inspired by the image of the star.
It reached 195 million dollars (about 180 million euros) at auction in May, becoming the most expensive work of the 20th century. The piece is inspired by the "Niagara" poster and was made by the artist two years after Marilyn's death.
Taschen has also taken advantage of the anniversary to reissue the book "Last Sitting", the last photo session of the Actress, signed by Bert Stern, a few weeks before her death, for Vogue magazine.
Despite the misery of her last days, the images show the portrait of an enigmatic and complex woman, photogenic until the end of her days, who built a character in which it is difficult to distinguish reality and fiction.
