Contrary to popular perception, Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, was far from foolish.
Her journey from a tumultuous childhood in foster homes to becoming the iconic Hollywood blonde was marked by resilience, intelligence, and a quest for happiness.
Before adopting the persona of Marilyn Monroe, she navigated through ten foster homes and an orphanage in Hollywood. Abandoned by her father and neglected by a mother plagued with mental health issues, Monroe's early life was a tale of survival and adaptation.
Her wanderlust took her across continents, from various residences in Los Angeles to a countryside estate in England and an apartment in New York. Mexico held a special allure, perhaps driven by the ancestral connection to her mother, Gladys Pearl Baker, from Perlas Negras. She embarked on romantic trips, including a rendezvous in Acapulco and visits to see a boyfriend in Chihuahua. Seeking respite from the scrutiny of Hollywood, she would escape to Ciudad Juárez to revel in carefree moments with Frank Sinatra.
Marilyn's love for literature was as profound as her love for travel. She immersed herself in the works of James Joyce, Walt Whitman, Federico García Lorca, Colette, Rafael Alberti, Dorothy Parker, Oscar Wilde, and philosophers like Plato and Aristotle.
An aficionado of art, her admiration extended to Picasso, Velázquez, and Goya. Goya, in particular, resonated deeply with her, as she claimed, "I know this man very well; we have the same dreams. I've had the same dreams since I was a little girl."
Her playlist echoed with jazz and the enchanting voice of Ella Fitzgerald. Monroe, over her short but prolific life, starred in 29 films, established her production company—Marilyn Monroe Productions—in 1954, and engaged with luminaries such as George Barris, Truman Capote, Debbie Reynolds, Jane Russell, Jack Lemmon, Joan Rivers, and even Albert Einstein, with whom she shared humorous banter.
Among her three marriages—Johnny Hyde, Joe DiMaggio, and Arthur Miller—each relationship brought unique challenges. Hyde facilitated her entry into Hollywood, DiMaggio's jealousy led to tumultuous episodes, and Miller's phase marked by miscarriages and personal ghosts spiraled her into a depressive state.
Marilyn, late to rehearsals and seemingly inhabiting another realm at times, faced internal struggles. Admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a sleeping pill overdose, she emerged, once again, to perform the role of Marilyn Monroe for the world.
During her time with Arthur Miller, she encountered John F. Kennedy, who became a discreet yet openly acknowledged part of her life. Surprisingly, Robert Kennedy also became entwined in Marilyn's narrative. Political discussions and shared agendas became part of their interactions, revealing Marilyn's intellectual depth.
Despite her public allure, Marilyn wrestled with self-doubt and lacked the affection she craved. The public adored the persona projected on screens, yet the real person behind the stereotype remained obscured. Marilyn, before succumbing to her mental challenges, endeavored to cultivate creativity and artistic credibility. She attended acting classes, studied scripts diligently, and engaged in political discussions, documenting Kennedy's theories in her notebook to nurture her curious mind.
The documentary "The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe" delves into over 600 recorded interviews and 400 conducted by journalist Anthony Summers, unraveling the circumstances surrounding her death. Beyond theories and conspiracies, Marilyn's life was a testament to her strength, evident from her early struggles to her later pursuits of knowledge, creativity, and intellectual companionship.
With over 400 books in her library, 29 films to her credit, and the distinction of being one of the first women to establish a production company, Marilyn Monroe's legacy transcends the misconceptions that surrounded her, proving that she was anything but a dumb blonde.
