Did Marilyn Monroe Get Plastic Surgery? The Mysterious Plastic Surgery Of Marilyn Monroe
by A Maria | Updated Mar 16, 2023
Who is Marilyn Monroe?
Marilyn Monroe, whose birth name was Norma Jeane Mortenson, was a famous American actress, model, and singer known for her portrayal of "blonde bombshell" characters. She was one of the most sought-after sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s and came to represent the sexual revolution of the era. For ten years, Monroe was a top-billed actress, and her films made an impressive $200 million, equivalent to $2 billion today, by the time of her untimely death in 1962. Her legacy has endured long after her passing, and she remains an important cultural icon. In recognition of her contributions to Hollywood's Golden Age, the American Film Institute ranked Monroe as the sixth greatest female screen legend in 1999.
Did Marilyn Monroe get plastic surgery?
Despite years of speculation among fans regarding Marilyn's medical history, it appears that the case has been solved. According to records uncovered by Los Angeles plastic surgeon Norman Leaf, Marilyn did, in fact, have plastic surgery, but she used the pseudonym Joan Newman to maintain her anonymity. Dr. Leaf's mentor, Michael Gurdin, was among the doctors who performed the procedure, which involved a chin graft that was implanted by Gurdin's colleague, John Pangman. However, Marilyn returned to the office to have the implant replaced later. The medical records also confirm that Marilyn had a nose job, but it's unclear whether she underwent any other cosmetic procedures. Although there are rumors of electrolysis to remove her widow's peak and breast implants that caused an infection, there's no concrete evidence to support these claims.
Marilyn Monroe before and after plastic surgery
In 2013, X-rays were used to confirm that Marilyn Monroe had undergone some plastic surgery. According to notes from her doctor, she had work done on her nose and chin. Early in her career, there were rumors that she had refined the tip of her nose to make it look smaller. In 1950, it was documented that she visited a plastic surgeon in Hollywood for a chin augmentation, possibly in response to being called a "chinless wonder" by a casting director. However, the implant used at the time was made of carved bovine cartilage, which had dissolved by 1958. While it has not been officially confirmed, some people speculate that Monroe may have also had breast augmentation after receiving treatment for an infection in her breasts, which may have been caused by liquid silicone injections. Finally, it was reported that Monroe had false teeth at the time of her death at the age of 36.
How did Marilyn Monroe die?
Marilyn Monroe died in 1962, apparently by suicide. After an investigation, authorities found evidence that she had died from acute barbiturate poisoning. She was discovered by her housekeeper Eunice Murray and her psychiatrist, Ralph Greenson. You can stream "Blonde" on Netflix now.
Professional career of Marilyn Monroe
In April 1944, Monroe's husband Dougherty was sent to the Pacific, where he stayed for most of the next two years. Monroe moved in with her in-laws and got a job at the Radioplane Company, a munitions factory in Van Nuys. It was there in late 1944 that she met photographer David Conover, who had been sent by the U.S. Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit to take pictures of female workers to boost morale. Although none of her pictures were used, she quit working at the factory in January 1945 and started modeling for Conover and his colleagues, despite the disapproval of her husband who was deployed at the time. She signed a contract with the Blue Book Model Agency in August 1945, although her figure was considered more suitable for pin-up modeling than high fashion. To improve her employability, she straightened her hair and dyed it blonde. According to the agency's owner, Monroe was one of the most driven and hard-working models, and had appeared on 33 magazine covers by early 1946, including for publications such as Pageant, U.S. Camera, Laff, and Peek. As a model, Monroe sometimes went by the pseudonym Jean Norman.
Biography of Marilyn Monroe
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
Born
Norma Jeane Mortenson
June 1, 1926
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died
August 4, 1962 (aged 36)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death
Barbiturate overdose
Burial place
Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
Other names
Norma Jeane Baker
Occupations
Spouses
James Dougherty - (m. 1942; div. 1946)
Joe DiMaggio - (m. 1954; div. 1955)
Arthur Miller - (m. 1956; div. 1961)
Parent
Gladys Pearl Baker (mother)
Relatives
Berniece Baker Miracle (half-sister)
Did Marilyn Monroe get plastic surgery - FAQs
Marilyn Monroe's birth name was Norma Jeane Mortenson.
Marilyn Monroe was famous for her acting, modeling, and singing, and for her portrayal of "blonde bombshell" characters. She was one of the most sought-after sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s.
By the time of her untimely death in 1962, Marilyn Monroe's films had made an impressive $200 million, equivalent to $2 billion today.
Marilyn Monroe's legacy has endured long after her passing, and she remains an important cultural icon. In recognition of her contributions to Hollywood's Golden Age, the American Film Institute ranked Monroe as the sixth greatest female screen legend in 1999.
Marilyn Monroe died on August 5, 1962, at the age of 36. Her cause of death was determined to be a barbiturate overdose, although the circumstances surrounding her death are still the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories.