Marilyn monroe facts about her life

Marilyn Monroe died on August 5, 1962, yet she's remained an unforgettable icon for more than half a century.

As with many pop-culture figures, some overly hyped aspects of Monroe's story — such as her reputation as a "dumb blonde" and the mystery around her death — have often overshadowed other aspects of her legacy. Here are six fascinating facts about her life that reveal a more nuanced picture of the real woman behind the legend:

Monroe cut her honeymoon short to entertain the troops

In the early years of World War II, Monroe was a teenaged housewife named Norma Jeane Dougherty.

During the war, she went to work in a factory that made military drones.

Marilyn monroe facts

There, she was discovered by a photographer searching for subjects to inspire the troops. Monroe became a model and went on to take risqué pin-up photos that would be hugely popular with soldiers in Korea. After she'd transformed into an actres