Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, model, and singer who became a major sex symbol and one of Hollywood's most popular stars during the 1950s. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, Monroe faced a difficult childhood marked by foster homes and orphanages. She began her career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Monroe achieved international fame for her roles in films like 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and 'Some Like It Hot'. Known for her beauty and comedic talent, Monroe's personal life was tumultuous, marked by marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller before her tragic death in 1962.