Fifty years have passed since she died, but there is still a shroud of mystery surrounding the legendary Ms. Marilyn Monroe.
While she might still be one of Hollywood's most recognizable sex icons, Monroe remains an elusive figure, having been found dead in her Los Angeles home in 1962 at the young age of 36.
"In the end, Monroe is one of the most complex female public figures in American history, and that real complexity plays a role in her continuing ability to fascinate us," author of "Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox," Lois Banner, wrote for the Los Angeles Times. "We admire her beauty, puzzle over her mysteries and see her as a reflection of the quixotic, multifaceted, always striving and often contradictory American character."
Banner believes that the end of Monroe's story sums up the tale in and of itself. "She loved to live in a mysterious way," he told USA Today.
So, who was the real Marilyn Monroe?
Those who knew her said she was often misunderstood. She was not the dumb blonde she might have portrayed in her films. She was smart and driven, and she could even be unprofessional and exasperating to work with, according to a feature in the Los Angeles Times.
"She was trying to prove she was a serious actress and not just a movie star playing bimbo parts," Don Murray, who starred alongside Monroe in the 1956 drama "Bus Stop," told the Los Angeles Times. Yet, despite her desire to come off as professional, she would often forget her lines. "That was very strange, that lack of discipline," he added. "She was a very experienced film actress, but she could forget so many of the mechanical techniques. She would constantly miss her marks so she would be out of focus or out of the light or in a shadow. I think it was a lack of confidence. For somebody who the camera loved, she was still terrified of going before the camera and broke out in a rash all over her body."
Monroe was known as a bodacious bombshell who oozed confidence and charisma. Off-camera, however, her psychological state was frail. Her love life was a continuous roller coaster and she dealt with bouts of depression.
In his book, Banner alleges that Monroe might have been a lesbian.
"How could she be the world's heterosexual sex goddess and desire women?" writes Banner in an excerpt published by The Guardian. "How could she have the world's most perfect body on the outside and have such internal imperfections? Why was she unable to bear a child? The adult Marilyn was haunted by these questions."
By various accounts, the movie star also struggled with depression. In the days before her death, she was reportedly having a particularly difficult time, according to The Telegraph.
Monroe's death is one of the greatest mysteries woven into her legend.
Her death had been ruled a "probable suicide," but those who knew her found it hard to believe she would kill herself, according to a new article in People magazine. Forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht told People he has "a strong suspicion she might have been injected."
The plot thickens with news that the FBI files on her case, which were filed under "Foreign Counterintelligence," are missing, according to CBS News. The Associated Press attempted to obtain a complete record of the FBI's monitoring of the superstar under the Freedom of Information Act, but to no avail. The FBI no longer has them, nor does the National Archives.
"On the basis of my own involvement in the case, beginning with the autopsy, I would call Monroe's suicide `very probable,"' wrote Dr. Thomas Noguchi in his 1983 memoir, "Coroner." "But I also believe that until the complete FBI files are made public and the notes and interviews of the suicide panel released, controversy will continue to swirl around her death."
Mystery may forever surround Ms. Monroe -- but that may be exactly how she intended it to be.
"I knew I belonged to the public and to the world," Monroe is quoted as saying in the "Unfinished Biography of Marilyn Monroe," "not because I was talented or even beautiful but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.