Marilyn Monroe: the origin of her stage name is finally confirmed
An unpublished photograph of the Marilyn Monroe story comes to light that confirms what until now her biographers speculated: the origin of her stage name.
Norma Jean Dougherty began working as a model in 1945 and just a year later she signed a contract with the famous 20th Century Fox studio under her stage name Marilyn Monroe.
And it is that she, during that time she met Ben Lyon who was an actor and studio executive. He not only bet on the 20-year-old girl by convincing other executives to hire her, but he would be responsible for choosing the name with which she became famous, although it had not been confirmed until now.
As the BBC portal collects, it was assumed that Lyon had had to do with the choice of the name Marilyn Monroe, but there was no evidence until now, and all thanks to a photograph.
It turns out that the Lyon family has decided to auction a 1955 photograph in which the producer and the actress are seen posing together. But the most valuable thing is not in the image itself, but in the dedication written by hand by Marilyn herself:
“Dear Ben, you found me, named me and believed in me when no one else did. My thanks and love forever."
The photograph has caused a stir, because it confirms one of the most significant details of the life and career of the actress. According to her biographers, the name 'Marilyn' would have been completely Lyon's idea, while 'Monroe' hers.
The Lyon family delivered the photograph to the Joseph Maddalena company, which will auction it at the end of October 2018. The initial value? $100,000.
While it seems high, let's remember that Marilyn's famous white dress in the movie 'The Seven Year Itch' sold for 4.6 million dollars.
10 fun facts about Marilyn Monroe
1-She had many names. She was christened Norma Jeane Baker, but her birth certificate is listed as Norma Jane Mortenson. She later adopted the last name Dougherty, from her first marriage. Although in 1956 she legally changed it to her stage name, after marrying Arthur Miller she asked to be called Marilyn Monreo Miller, according to the Mirror newspaper.
2-She was not a natural blonde. Her modeling agency suggested that she dye it for a more successful career.
3-She lived in an orphanage and had up to 11 adoptive parents, according to Business Insider. Her mother, Gladys Baker Mortenson, suffered from schizophrenia and was unable to care for her.
4-She said that her favorite artist was Goya. “I know this man very well” she managed to say. "We have the same dreams, I have the same dreams since I was a child."
5-At age 16, she married Jimmy Dougherty. She was renamed Norma Jean Dougherty, the name under which she began modeling. The marriage lasted 4 years.
6-She washed her face up to 15 times a day for fear of stains on it.
7-She did not like to share her beauty secrets, but it is known that when she was not wearing makeup she would cover her face with olive oil to protect it.
8-She liked to read. She had more than 200 books, including works by Tolstoy, and Walt Whitman. Her favorite book, she said, was James Joyce's 'Ulysses', which she read aloud because she liked the way it sounded.
9-She had several dogs throughout her life, but her last was a Maltese given to her by Frank Sinatra and whom she named Maf.
10-She bleached her skin with hormonal cream so that her facial hair would also lighten.
