Marilyn Monroe was born June 1st, 1926, as Norma Jeane Mortensen, in the Los Angeles General Hospital, in Los Angeles, California. She would later become one of the most iconic women of her time. Norma Jeane’s mother was named Gladys, and her father was unknown. Her mother gave her to a foster family where she lived until she was 7 years old. Norma Jeane’s mother reclaimed her only to have her friend, Grace Mckee, have her declared insane. Gladys was then sent to a psychiatric hospital, and Grace McKee took custody of Norma Jeane. Grace sent Norma Jeane away at the age of 9 to an orphan’s home. Norman Jeane was virtually abandoned and raised by foster families and by Grace Goddard, a close friend of her mothers. After several years of being in foster care, Norma Jean was sent back to live with the Goddards where she met a neighbor’s son, Jim Dougherty. To avoid being placed in another …show more content…
It was there that the Army sent a photographer, David Conover, to take pictures of women helping in war efforts. The photographer was impressed with Norma Jeane and suggested she apply for a modeling position. Things began to change for the better for Norma Jeane. She signed her first contract with Fox Studios, but they let the contract lapse, but in 1948 Columbia signed her to a 6 month contract and launched her career. Things started moving very quickly for Norma Jean at this stage of life. Norma Jean dyed her hair blonde and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. After being in several films such as Niagara and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she became very famous in a short amount of time as a dumb, beautiful, blonde actress. She would later become well known for a performance at party for President J.F. Kennedy. In May of 1962, Marilyn sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy at Madison Square Gardens. This performance later became