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A series of special events begins in Hollywood on Monday to celebrate what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday.
Tributes kicked off on Sunday at the Academy Museum with the opening of "Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon," an exhibition honoring the legendary actress's career and life.
At the historic Chinese Theater—where Monroe's handprints are immortalized alongside those of her "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953) co-star Jane Russell—fans plan to sing "Happy Birthday," replicating her famed rendition for President John F. Kennedy.
One hundred roses and a cake will be placed at the site, a symbol of Hollywood's golden age and a popular tourist hotspot.
Following her rise to global superstardom during the 1950s, the actress and model died of an overdose at her Brentwood home in August 1962, aged 36.
The Academy Museum will host special screenings of her prominent films throughout the month, including "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950), "Niagara" (1953), "The Seven Year Itch" (1955), "Some Like It Hot" (1959), and "The Misfits" (1961).
On June 4, Julien's Auctions will put nearly 200 pieces of Monroe memorabilia under the hammer as part of its special "100 Years of Marilyn" sale.
The exhibit, which runs until February 2027, includes hundreds of original pieces, some of which are rarely on display.
According to the Guardian, the exhibition offers a curated look into both the public and private life of Monroe, presented against the backdrop of red decor, chandeliers, heart-shaped pillows, and multimedia displays of her blowing kisses and singing.
Visitors can view iconic, high-glamour costumes, including the famous pink gown from "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," a sequined outfit with a feathered tail from a Madison Square Garden appearance, and a designer replica of her legendary white subway grate dress from "The Seven Year Itch."
Balancing these flashy pieces are items reflecting her personal life, such as simple pajamas, a pair of everyday jeans that helped popularize women's denim, and personal furniture like her chair and telephone.
Most compellingly, the display features highly intimate, previously unviewed artifacts, including an address book, marked-up scripts, and handwritten notes, alongside powerful letters that reveal her deep personal musings, interest in psychoanalysis, and her behind-the-scenes defiance of major film projects.
Born in Los Angeles on June 1, 1926, Monroe rose to global stardom by age 30 despite an unstable childhood spent in foster homes and orphanages.
She entered show business in 1944 after a photographer captured her working on a World War II factory production line. The encounter led her into modeling, prompting her to divorce her husband of four years—whom she married at age 16—and dye her brown hair platinum blonde.
After securing a contract with 20th Century Fox, Monroe established herself as an industry powerhouse. She frequently defied the studio system, founding her own production company and training at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York.
During the 1950s, Monroe staged a high-profile protest against Fox by refusing to film the musical adaptation "The Girl in Pink Tights." She cited a mediocre script and an unfair salary that was three times less than co-star Frank Sinatra's pay.
Decades before the #MeToo movement transformed the entertainment industry, Monroe publicly denounced Hollywood "wolves" for preying on female talent.
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