Marilyn Monroe (1. Juni 1926 – 5. August 1962) lived through a difficult childhood. As Norma Jeane Baker she partially grew up with foster families and in an orphanage. In 1945 she was discovered as a model and posed as a pin up girl for the US Army. Thereafter, upon her agent’s advice, she bleached her hair and acquired her legendary stage name Marilyn Monroe. This was a combination of the dancer Marilyn Millers Christian name and the maiden name of her mother Gladys. After a few smaller film roles for 20th Century Fox she received a seven year contract. Her popularity increased consistently. She featured in classics such as „The Seven Year Itch“or „How to Marry a Millionaire“. In the late 50s her manic-depressive phase began. Shelapsed into a medication addiction and died in 1962 on an overdose of tranquillizers and sleeping pills. Up until today she is regarded as the sex symbol of the 20th century.