Rare Facts You Never Knew About Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was one of the most famous sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, and she's still one of the most recognizable icons of American culture. However, behind the scenes, things weren't quite so easy for the starlet.

How much do you really know about the beautiful bombshell?

Norma Jean

Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean, a name she held until she became famous. Her mother was named Gladys Pearl Baker, who had escaped a nine-year-long abusive marriage with a man named John Newton Baker. Baker took their two children to Kentucky, leaving Gladys totally alone. To combat this, Gladys remarried a man named Martin Edward Mortensen. 

Advertisement

Next Page →

The More You Know

  • The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn.
  • Nintendo was founded in 1889. Before it sold video games, the Japanese company specialized in playing cards.
  • Nutella was invented during WWII, when an Italian pastry maker mixed hazelnuts into chocolate to extend his chocolate ration.
  • There's a word for tapping someone on the opposite shoulder from behind to fool them.
Next Page →