Her name is synonymous with Hollywood beauty. During Marilyn Monroe's own lifetime, her reputation as a fragile but charismatic beauty took the world by storm. Even many decades after her death in 1962 at the tragic young age of 36, Monroe's reputation and popularity have not wavered for a second.

In every generation since her death, Monroe's face has rivaled those of contemporary sex symbols as shorthand for beauty, sex appeal, charisma and seemingly effortless charm. With her halo of blonde hair, large, expressive eyes, dazzling smile, curvaceous figure and breathy high-pitched voice, Monroe seemed to stand for everything that was fun-loving, carefree and flirtatious about life. Despite her role as an over-the-top sex symbol, she managed to appeal to both men and women; men wanted to woo her, while women wanted to be her best friend.

Sara M.

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