Unsettling Facts About Marilyn Monroe That Most Of Us Didn't Realize

What's it like being the most beautiful woman in the world? Once you peel back the glamour, it's an existence fraught with scandal, heartbreak, and eccentricity, apparently. A young woman from Los Angeles named Norma Jeane found that out the hard way. She rebranded herself as Marilyn Monroe, an iconic performer who's still instantly recognizable today. But as much as she wanted to be a star, the actress also hid parts of her life from the public eye. Some of her most shocking secrets have only come to light years after her demise.

1. Not a natural blonde

Although Marilyn established herself as a blonde bombshell, that's not her real hair color! A natural brunette, she experimented with a number of dyes before settling for her signature platinum blonde.

2. Mental illness

Sadly, the icon suffered from depression and mental illness. A possible schizophrenic, Marilyn would reportedly lock herself in the bathroom and stare at her reflection for hours. When asked what she was doing, the model would respond, "Looking at her."

3. First marriage

Though her subsequent husbands were certainly more famous, Marilyn's first marriage was to sailor Jim Dougherty. She was just 16 at the time! Just a few years later, they divorced after she signed a contract with an acting agency.

4. Singing for JFK

When Marilyn crooned "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy, many paid more attention to her figure than her singing. The dress was so tight that it had to be sewn onto her. Years later, it sold for a record-breaking $1.2 million.