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Marilyn Monroe, 1958

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During Marilyn’s lifetime she always wanted to have a baby and was even once quoted saying, “What do I want more than anything else in the world? I want a baby! I want to have children!” (1962).

The heartbreaking truth is that Marilyn suffered through several miscarriages throughout her lifetime. This photograph was taken in 1957 as she was leaving a New York City hospital where she had suffered an ectopic surgery (baby grows on the outside of the uterus).

While leaving this hospital, Marilyn was hounded by the press and crowds of fans. She was forced to put on a smile, wave, and possibly sign autographs. Unlike the rest of the women population who suffered from miscarriages, Marilyn endured the pain of losing a child (and children) in the public eye.

Yes, Marilyn Monroe has been remembered as an iconic sex symbol, but we must also remember Norma Jeane Baker and the pain she experienced in front of millions.

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Marilyn Monroe photographed by Sam Shaw, 1957.

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“I’ll never forget the day Marilyn and I were walking around New York City, just having a stroll on a nice day. She loved New York because no one bothered her there like they did in Hollywood, she could put on her plain-jane clothes and no one would notice her. She loved that. So as we we’re walking down Broadway, she turns to me and says ‘Do you want to see me become her?’ I didn’t know what she meant but I just said ‘Yes’- and then I saw it. I don’t know how to explain what she did because it was so very subtle, but she turned something on within herself that was almost like magic. And suddenly cars were slowing and people were turning their heads and stopping to stare. They were recognizing that this was Marilyn Monroe as if she pulled off a mask or something, even though a second ago nobody noticed her. I had never seen anything like it before.”

- Amy Greene, wife of Marilyn’s personal photographer Milton Greene

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I never get tired of this photo.

Ella Fitzgerald was not allowed to play at Mocambo because of her race. Then, one of Ella’s biggest fans made a telephone call that quite possibly changed the path of her career for good. Here, Ella tells the story of how Marilyn Monroe changed her life:

“I owe Marilyn Monroe a real debt… she personally called the owner of the Mocambo, and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him – and it was true, due to Marilyn’s superstar status – that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table, every night. The press went overboard. After that, I never had to play a small jazz club again. She was an unusual woman – a little ahead of her times. And she didn’t know it.”