Young Marilyn Monroe: Rare Early Photos of Hollywood’s Most Captivating Star

"Marilyn's like a veil I wear over Norma Jeane" — here, photos of that girl beneath the veil

By Abbey Bender Updated: October 10, 2023

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Marilyn Monroe is such an icon that it’s hard to believe there was a time before she was famous. We know and love her glamorous blonde persona from classic movies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch and Some Like It Hot, and she’s so instantly recognizable that seeing a rare photo of young Marilyn Monroe in her early days, before she became an once-in-a-generation star, becomes a fascinating insight.

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It’s no secret that, while Monroe projected humor, grace and sex appeal, she battled personal demons for the entirety of her too-short career. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, Monroe had a difficult childhood, and her life story was tragically filled with abuse, addiction and an overwhelming sense of being misunderstood. Looking at photos of a young Marilyn Monroe makes for a poignant experience. You can see her sparkling charisma from her early days as a model in the ’40s, but knowing the pain she endured for so much of her life gives them a tinge of sadness and mystery.

Monroe began her acting career with small roles in the late ’40s. By the early ’50s, she was an A-lister, and she starred in some of the most beloved movies of the decade before her tragically premature death by overdose in 1962, at age 36. Monroe was always much smarter than people gave her credit for, and her perspective on her own fame was fascinating. In a 1960 interview, she said, “I never wanted to be Marilyn — it just happened. Marilyn’s like a veil I wear over Norma Jeane.” Taking a look back at Marilyn before the veil, back in her Norma Jeane days, gives us a more nuanced perspective on the icon.

Here are 10 photos of Marilyn pre-fame. Interested in more Marilyn miscellany? You can also check out one of her signature makeup looks, learn about her three marriages or read our list of classic Marilyn Monroe movies available to stream.

Marilyn Monroe as a baby (1928)

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Here, Norma Jeane poses for a photo in 1928, at age two. Her childhood was tumultuous, as she was brought up in a series of orphanages and foster homes.
Marilyn Monroe as a teenager (1940)

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It's well-known that Marilyn dyed her hair blonde. Here she is at 14 in 1940, with her natural dark locks.
Marilyn Monroe with penguins (1941)

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In this quirky snapshot, a teenage Marilyn hangs out with a couple of cute penguins.
Marilyn Monroe poses for an ad (1945)

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Marilyn began her career as a model in the '40s, when she was in her late teens. She appeared in ads, pin-up photos and magazine covers. In this early model shot, she poses for a hair product ad.
Marilyn Monroe swimsuit shot (1946)

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Marilyn was well-known for her many swimsuit photos, in which she posed wearing the sexy (yet modest by today's standards) bikinis that were popular at the time. In a 1952 interview, she quipped, "Frankly, I've never considered my own figure so exceptional; until quite recently, I seldom gave it any thought at all."
Marilyn Monroe with skis (1946)

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Marilyn's model shots weren't limited to swimsuits. In this 1946 picture, she showed off her stunning smile while posing in a wintry outfit and holding skis. Off-camera, Marilyn said, "I have never cared especially for outdoor sports, and have no desire to excel at tennis, swimming, or golf. I'll leave those things to the men."
Marilyn Monroe with a puppy (1946)

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Is there anything sweeter than young Marilyn Monroe with a puppy? We think not! Monroe was an animal lover, and had pets of her own, including a fuzzy white dog named Maf, who was given to her by none other than Frank Sinatra
Marilyn Monroe poses for an illustrator (1947)

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Marilyn wasn't just featured in photographs, she also inspired illustrations. Here, she poses for Earl Moran, an artist known for his glamorous pin-up illustrations. Moran's paintings became serious collectors' items, and in 2011, one of them sold for over $80,000.
Marilyn Monroe with babies (1947)

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In this photo, Marilyn cares for the twin sons of film studio executive Roy Metzler. Marilyn didn't have children of her own, heartbreakingly confiding that "I’ve always wanted a baby... I want a child and I fear a child. Whenever it came close, my body said no and I lost the baby." At the time this photo was taken, young Marilyn was breaking into the film industry, with small, usually uncredited parts in movies like Dangerous Years, Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! and Green Grass of Wyoming.
Marilyn Monroe headshot (1949)

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Marilyn Monroe posed for a lot of headshots as an actress. Here's one of her earliest actress headshots, from 1949. At the time, she had only a handful credits to her name, but she was destined for big things, and soon enough she'd be a superstar.