By Neia Balao
1:03pm PDT, Oct 9, 2022
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Even 60 years after her tragic death at 36, Marilyn Monroe's indelible impact on popular culture can still be felt. Recognized as a blonde bombshell with vast sex appeal, Marilyn — born Norma Jeane Mortenson — was often deemed nothing more than a pretty face. Having reached incredible fame before feminism was widely understood, her sophistication and trailblazing ways were overlooked — but there's much to appreciate about the woman who turned a male-dominated film industry on its head. To mark the Sept. 28, 2022, release of the movie "Blonde" — which sees Ana de Armas playing the iconic actress — on Netflix, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at some of the best photos of Marilyn during her short life… At the premiere of "The Rose Tattoo" in 1955, Marilyn Monroe — seen here with her date, Marlon Brando — oozed Hollywood glamour in a slinky black dress and a white fur stole. An expert at accessorizing, she added a touch of sparkle with a pair of statement drop earrings.
Keep reading for more iconic snapshots of Marilyn Monroe's life…
RELATED: See all the actresses who've played Marilyn Monroe
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A 28-year-old Marilyn Monroe performed on stage while filming "Honeymoon" in 1954. For the scene, she donned a sparkly plum-colored gown with gold sandals. Her glitzy hoop earrings and bracelet made for the perfect finishing touches.
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An A-lister off duty! In April 1952, Marilyn Monroe arrived at a Life magazine photoshoot wearing a black sleeveless top that showed her midriff, cropped gingham slacks and a black purse.
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Marilyn Monroe looked flawless when she was photographed while filming "The Prince and the Showgirl" in 1957. The 31-year-old actress stunned in a plunging curve-hugging white satin gown and matching opera gloves.
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In 1959, Marilyn Monroe was photographed in black lace lingerie while filming "Some Like It Hot."
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On the set of "Niagara" in 1953, Marilyn Monroe donned a gorgeous well-tailored ensemble — a teal satin top paired with a white pencil skirt, a matching blazer and strappy heels.
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Look at that figure! Marilyn Monroe, seen here in 1953's "How to Marry a Billionaire," rocked a skin-tight dark green wrap top with a sash in a similar money hue that cinched at the waist. She wore it with black pants, simple sandals and a muted red lip.
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While filming "Bus Stop" in 1956, Marilyn Monroe wore a sheer lace milkmaid top with a bow detail on the bust and matched it with high-waisted black slacks and a chunky belt.
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Marilyn Monroe effortlessly showed off her enviable figure in this portrait from the 1950s. The barefoot Hollywood "it" girl wore baby pink tee and high-waisted white shorts with her signature bold red lip as she held a dandelion to her lips.
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In this 1950s photograph of Marilyn Monroe, she paired an extravagantly oversized fur coat with a straw hat. Despite seeming like a bizarre pairing of items, Marilyn made the ensemble look chic.
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Who could forget this iconic dress?! On May 19, 1962, Marilyn Monroe sang a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden in New York City wearing a shimmery nude gown by costume designer Jean Louis. Kim Kardashian wore the same dress to the 2022 Met Gala 60 years later.
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Marilyn Monroe was the ultimate seductress in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" when she sang "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." In the musical number from the 1953 film, the stunning starlet's figure was draped in a strapless pink satin gown designed by William Travilla. She completed the unforgettable look with her signature red lip and, of course, diamonds dripping from her neck and wrists.
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In this photograph from 1954, Marilyn Monroe wore a sleeveless black-and-white striped turtleneck dress and nude sandals — an effortless combination.
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Marilyn Monroe seemed to have a knack for making basic pieces of clothing look exciting! In 1954, she wore an off-the-shoulder cream-colored top tucked into high-waisted black jeans with knee-high boots while filming "River of No Return."
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Marilyn at home! In 1960, Marilyn Monroe wore a simple yet sweet getup — a black-and-white printed top with high-waisted pants — while she was photographed cuddling with a cute pup.
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Marilyn Monroe struck a pinup pose on a diving board at a public pool in 1949 in a pale pink two-piece swimsuit.
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She was known for her simple yet sophisticated sense of style, but Marilyn Monroe also kept things classy when it came to her beauty look. As seen here in a photo snapped at a party in the 1950s, the actress favored neutral eye makeup, well-shaped brows, flushed cheeks and bright red lipstick.
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Carefree! In this 1952 photo, Marilyn Monroe showed off her toned legs in a sheer white nightgown and feathered heels.
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Marilyn Monroe's perfectly coiffed blonde updo showed off her creamy skin in this 1950s portrait.
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Marilyn Monroe, who was just 22 when this photo was taken in 1948, was a natural beauty as she posed atop a diving board wearing a sky blue two-piece swimsuit.
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We'll never get over her sultry stare! In this portrait of Marilyn Monroe taken in the 1950s, she wore a plunging spaghetti-strap gown, a choker with a statement pendant and a glossy purple pout.
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In this scene from 1960's "Let's Make Love," Marilyn Monroe wore a breathtaking strapless blue gown with a beautifully pleated skirt.
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Name a more iconic photo of Marilyn Monroe… we'll wait! For 1955's "The Seven Year Itch," Marilyn's character turned what could've been an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction into a picture-perfect, cinema-defining moment in this white pleated halter dress created by costume designer William Travilla.
