Marilyn Monroe was one of the most iconic stars of the 1950s, known for her portrayal as the blonde bombshell in films like "Some Like It Hot," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and "The Seven Year Itch." Her short life was filled with career and personal highs and lows, from marriages and divorces to Yankees great Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller to movie suspensions for habitual lateness. Despite her troubled past, she managed to rise above and pursue her dreams. These are inspiring thoughts on life from Marilyn Monroe.
She is a pop culture icon who, despite a short life, managed to have a successful career. Monroe was a dreamer, and according to her ex-husband Miller, her goal was to always get to the next dream. At the time of her death, her estate was valued at around 8 million dollars, around 7.8 million today, adjusted for inflation.
To compile this list of inspiring thoughts on life from Marylin Monroe, 24/7 Tempo consulted various entertainment websites including Vogue, Parade, and Harper's BAZAAR. (Click here for 23 of the most iconic photos ever taken.)
"Sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall together."
"I am invariably late for appointments–sometimes as much as two hours. I've tried to change my ways but the things that make me late are too strong and too pleasing."
"I don't forgive people because I'm weak, I forgive them because I am strong enough to know people make mistakes."
"I don't mind making jokes, but I don't want to look like one."
"Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."
"I learned to walk as a baby and I haven't had a lesson since."
"I think I'm a mixture of simplicity and complexes, but I'm beginning to understand myself now."
"It's all make-believe, isn't it?"
"We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets."
"Creativity has got to start with humanity and when you're a human being, you feel, you suffer. You're gay, you're sick, you're nervous, or whatever."
"I am trying to find myself. Sometimes that's not easy."
"If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never got anywhere."
"Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world."
"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful."
"Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world."
"It's nice to be included in people's fantasies but you also like to be accepted for your own sake."
"The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least I can dream."
"Dogs never bite me. Just humans."
"I never wanted to be Marilyn—it just happened. Marilyn's like a veil I wear over Norma Jeane."
"For those who are poor in happiness, each time is a first time; happiness never becomes a habit."
"If I'm a star, the people made me a star."
"First, I'm trying to prove to myself that I'm a person. Then maybe I'll convince myself that I'm an actress."
"I am not a victim of emotional conflicts. I am human."
