Marilyn Monroe, a legendary artist who became the most famous international sex symbol of the 20th century. She was born Norma Jean Mortenson in Los Angeles, California. In 1944 she was noticed by a United States Army photographer who induced her to pose for posters for the troops.

Her wide-eyed charm, physical voluptuousness, and natural sex appeal made her internationally renowned. Famous films of that period include There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) and The Seven-Year Itch (1955). In 1954 Monroe married baseball player Joe DiMaggio, but they were divorced a year later. In 1956 she married playwright Arthur Miller. Her later film roles include those in Some Like It Hot (1959) and Let's Make Love (1960). Monroe's final film was The Misfits (1961), written for her by Miller and directed by John Huston. A week after the film opened, she divorced Miller. In 1962 she was found dead in her home, the apparent victim of a barbiturate overdose. (from Microsoft Bookshelf 98)