[4:18] Marilyn Monroe: The True Story from Ordinary Girl to Hollywood Legend

Learning English isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary—it’s about using it naturally in real-life situations. Textbook sentences are often too formal and far removed from how people actually speak. To speak fluent, authentic English, you need exposure to real conversations. Here, we’ve curated frequently used English expressions across everyday contexts like socializing, work, and travel to help you break free from 'textbook English' and learn how native speakers really talk. Below is the content for Episode 3, Part 20: Marilyn Monroe. Keep practicing and make your English part of your life!

Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood legend, famous even among the famous, began life as plain—or not-so-plain—Norma Jean Baker. Already at 16, she was something of a stunner. She was spotted by a photographer who gave her name to a modeling agency. Norma Jean quickly found herself entering the world of cinema. With some acting lessons and a few small parts in B-movies, she soon transformed into Marilyn Monroe. Her new name accompanied her rapid rise to Hollywood stardom.

Her first big break came when she starred alongside Jane Russell in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It was a major success and solidified her place among the stars whose handprints are now set in concrete on Sunset Boulevard. In 1954, at age 27, Marilyn married another American icon: baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. Their union seemed like a perfect match. DiMaggio came from a large, traditional family, offering the kind of security she had lacked in childhood. But the reality of fame was far different.

By this point, Marilyn Monroe was essentially a prisoner of her public image. She toured Korea to entertain American troops, and one song she performed seemed to capture everything about her situation. But her heart now belonged to playwright Arthur Miller. Despite personal turmoil, Marilyn continued to work in film, a symbol of glamour and fame. Yet behind the scenes, she was on a difficult and lonely path—from a quiet, obscure teenager to a glamorous but troubled icon, all in under ten years.

She had powerful friends in the highest places. In America, she dated both the President and his brother, Bobby Kennedy. Writers, artists, playwrights, and entertainers all adored her. But amid all this adulation, something darker was unfolding. During the tense political climate of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the FBI began suspecting her of associating with known communists. They opened a file on her, classifying her as a potential subversive.

Then, in August 1962, tragedy struck. Marilyn Monroe died, reportedly from a drug overdose. Her death raised countless questions. For someone who lived so publicly, it was ironic that her end came under such mysterious and shadowy circumstances. Was it murder, accident, or suicide? No one knows for sure. But one truth remains: Marilyn Monroe was a Hollywood giant who brought joy to millions during her short, dazzling life. If there’s anyone to blame for her demise, it may very well be fame itself.

This content was organized for you by Qicaiwang as part of Episode 3, Part 20: Marilyn Monroe. We hope it’s helpful to you!