Katharina Buczek
Originally born in 1926 as Norma Jean Mortenson, Monroe bounced around in the foster care system as a child. Then, at 16-years-old, she married her high school sweetheart James Dougherty.
Dougherty, a police officer, and Monroe were wed in June of 1942. But, their partnership did not last long. In September of 1946, the pair got divorced just before Monroe’s career really took off.
She went on to marry the famous baseball player Joe DiMaggio in 1954 but, again, the pair did not live happily ever after. Their marriage lasted for less than a year before Monroe was again a divorcee.
Finally, in 1956, Monroe married again. This time, she was wed to Arthur Miller– a playwright. Her third marriage did last the longest but, unfortunately, ended in divorce yet again in 1961.
Shortly after, in 1962, Monroe began filming the classic comedy Something’s Got To Give. Sadly, the title was all too telling of her depleted mental state.
While struggling with depression, Monroe turned to drugs and alcohol to cope. Monroe’s internal battle began to show in her work when she was often late to set and frequently forgot her script lines.
Many might not know that she was even fired from the film for “spectacular absenteeism.” While Monroe was able to re-enter the cast lineup, she would not live to star in another movie.
Monroe’s Tragic Death
On August 4, 1962, Monroe’s housekeeper Eunice Murray became alarmed after he was unable to reach the star. Murray knocked and knocked on Monroe’s door, but she was not responding.
Frightened, Murray alerted Ralph Greenson– Monroe’s psychiatrist– who ended up breaking a window and entering Monroe’s room. Greenson found her wrapped in bedsheets with a telephone still in her hand.
Monroe’s tragic passing made headlines around the globe. On August 6, 1962, The New York Times also reported that an empty bottle of sleeping pills was found on her bedside table.
