You Won't Recognize Her! 22 Rare Photos of Hollywood Legend Marilyn Monroe (22 photos)

Marilyn Monroe is perhaps the world's most famous blonde, known as much for her tragic life as her glamour. We are used to seeing her in full Hollywood screen-siren persona—with bold red lips, platinum curls, and that signature sultry look. But these rare candid photographs reveal a very different side of Marilyn!





Childhood



June 1926: Newborn Norma Jeane Mortenson (baptized Baker) in the arms of her mother, Gladys Baker. The father's name on the birth certificate was recorded based on Gladys's statement. Just a few days later, overworked and unable to care for the infant, Gladys placed her with foster parents Albert and Ida Bolender.





Early 1927: The baby's first official portrait. Even back then, she had a bright, open smile!



Summer 1928: Two-year-old Marilyn visits a photo studio with her foster parents. Standing tall, she dutifully poses just as the photographer asks.



Summer 1929: On the beach with her birth mother. During Norma Jeane's early years, Gladys made an effort to visit her regularly.



1931: Five-year-old Norma Jeane happily strikes a pose for the camera.



1933: Seven years old and sporting blonde curls, little Norma Jeane adored dogs—and the feeling was mutual. Around this time, her birth mother reclaimed her from the foster family, but tragically, just a year later, Gladys was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and spent the rest of her life in mental institutions. The young girl was subsequently shuffled between family friends, such as Grace McKee, and various relatives.

Youth



1940: Marilyn clearly never had an awkward teenage phase. At just 14 years old, she was already stunning!



1941: 15-year-old Norma Jeane takes the oars, rowing her friends across a pond.



Autumn 1941: Working at a defense plant supporting the American war effort during World War II.



1942: At 16, Norma Jeane married James Dougherty to avoid returning to foster care. The marriage lasted until 1946, ending after her husband objected to her taking commercial modeling jobs.



1945: One of Norma Jeane's earliest commercial modeling shots, which launched her professional modeling career.

Rise to Fame



1946: The last photo of her as a brunette.



1947: The aspiring actress signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and changed her name. She adopted "Marilyn," a popular first name of the era, combined with her mother's maiden name, "Monroe."



1947: Marilyn taking acting classes as her iconic screen persona begins to take shape.



1948: Perfecting her signature makeup look. Monroe blended several shades of red lipstick, defined her eyes with eyeliner, and rehearsed her famous smile.



1948: Few know that Marilyn was an avid yoga enthusiast who frequently showed off her flexibility to friends.



Late 1948: Monroe took her acting career very seriously, carefully rehearsing long before her auditions.



1953: Marilyn alongside co-star Jane Russell (with whom she starred in *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes*) placing their handprints and footprints in concrete outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.



1955: A rare casual moment—Marilyn in cropped pants and a simple top, playfully debating with a friend.



1955: Another candid photograph capturing the actress lost in thought, looking away from the camera.



1956: Looking radiantly happy on her wedding day to playwright Arthur Miller.



1960: Taking a break on the set of *The Misfits*, the final completed film of her career. On August 5, 1962, after a long battle with depression, Marilyn Monroe died of an overdose at her home.