Monday, June 1, 2009
Happy Birthday, Marilyn Monroe – Your Star Still Shines
Whenever I hear the lyrics to the Queen anthem, We Are The Champions: “You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it, and I thank you all. But its been no bed of roses, no pleasure cruise…” I always think of Marilyn Monroe. Born on June 1, 1926 to an unmarried, mentally-ill mother, she bounced around foster homes from the time she was just a little girl until she was 16 years old. She had the proverbial deck stacked against her from a very young age, yet she never let it keep her down. She was always picking herself up, dusting herself off and reinventing herself, eventually becoming one of the most famous people the world has ever known.
What was it about Marilyn Monroe that has kept the memory of her persona alive, almost 50 years since her passing? She was not the most respected of actresses. She wasn’t a particularly gifted singer. Obviously she was unlucky in love, having been divorced 3 times. Both her personal and professional lives were subjected to harsh criticism at every turn. But despite all that, Marilyn remains an icon, remembered not just for her alluring sex appeal and her talent for entertaining, but also for her vibrant spirit, her determination to beat the odds, chase her dreams, and maintain her passion for life. She once said, “I just want to be wonderful.” To her credit, Marilyn tried to keep in perspective what she felt her fame really was – a fleeting moment in the spotlight. Little did she know, her moment would be anything but fleeting. And she was indeed wonderful.
Marilyn has influenced many of today’s top talents. You only have to look as far as Madonna’s platinum-blonde phase, Britney Spears’ Rolling Stone shoot, Christina Aguilera’s album cover art, Lindsay Lohan’s fashion line, and Megan Fox’s tattoo to see the impact Marilyn still carries in Hollywood. Her untimely death, all alone at age 36, was such a tragic end to her stellar life. The star is gone, but the bright light she cast has yet to fade. May it continue to shine!
posted by Betty at
10:52 AM
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