Marilyn Monroe Through the Years

Pictured at four years old. Norma was born in Los Angeles in 1926 where she found herself jumping around to various foster homes over the years after her mother Gladys was declared unfit to care for her.

A teenage Norma Jeane with brunette hair at 15 years old.

She married her 21-year-old neighbor James Dougherty at 16 years old to avoid the possibility of her going back to an orphanage.

Monroe on the beach at Santa Catalina Island with the Avalon Casino in the background. James was stationed on the island's boot camp, and the next year he was shipped out to the Pacific where he remained for two years.

After meeting photographer David Conover in 1944, she signed with Blue Book Model Agency and her modeling segued into acting when she met executive Ben Lyon of 20th Century Fox where she performed a screen test (pictured above). She was granted a divorce from Dougherty to focus on her acting career.

Monroe in a portrait at 21 years old.

Another portrait taken in Hollywood. Her hair was dyed a platinum blonde and her curls were tamed to make herself more employable.

Monroe smiling outside her home at Englefield Green.

In 1952 alone, she starred in five films including successful performances in Clash By Night and Monkey Business, which earned her positive reviews in The Hollywood Reporter.

Monroe poses by Niagara Falls to publicize the movie Niagara.

Arriving at the premiere of There's No Business Like Show Business directed by Walter Lang in a strapless gown and fur coat.

Monroe applies Chanel No. 5 perfume while getting ready in her room at the Ambassador Hotel to see the play Cat On A Hot Tin Roof in New York City.

Monroe posing with her second husband, playwright Arthur Miller, in their first year of marriage. At 41 years old he was 11 years her senior.

Monroe in costume filming The Prince and the Showgirl, in which she costarred with Sir Lawrence Olivier.

At 32 years old, Monroe was at the peak of her career and was a full-fledged sex symbol.

Monroe on the set of Some Like it Hot. It became notorious for its behind the scenes difficulties, but upon its release in March 1959, it became a critical and commercial success, even earning Monroe a Golden Globe award.