Marilyn Monroe in her own words
- Published
1 June would have been Marilyn Monroe's 86th birthday - a concept that's hard to imagine for a woman who captivated a generation of fans with her voluptuous figure and come-hither allure.
Yet, for someone whose buxom blonde appeal was prized above her films, Marilyn certainly had a lot to say for herself - both on and off-screen. That's why Stylist have to decided to celebrate Marilyn's birthday by quoting history's most iconic sex icon in her own words, alongside a stunning collection of images from throughout her short life.
Click on the images below to launch our gallery of Marilyn's most famous quotes.
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
“No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they're pretty, even if they aren't.”
Picture: Marilyn in 1929
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"It's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on."
Picture: Marilyn in 1955
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"I want to grow old without facelifts. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I have made."
Picture: Marilyn in 1949
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"I don't want to make money, I just want to be wonderful."
Picture: Marilyn in 1953
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Dogs never bite me. Just humans."
Picture: Marilyn in 1962
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot."
Picture: Marilyn in 1953
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Diamonds are a girls best friend."
Picture: Marilyn in 1950
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course."
Picture: Marilyn in 1959
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"I've been on a calendar, but never on time."
Picture: Marilyn calendar, 1953
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Before marriage, a girl has to make love to a man to hold him. After marriage, she has to hold him to make love to him."
Picture: Marilyn on her wedding day to first husband Jimmy Dougherty in 1942
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left."
Picture: Marilyn with Tony Curtis in Some Like It Hot, 1959
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"If you're gonna be two-faced at least make one of them pretty."
Picture: Marilyn in 1955
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space."
Picture: Marilyn with Yves Montand in Let's Make Love, 1960
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world."
Picture: Marilyn in 1953
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world."
Picture: Marilyn in 1951
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them."
Picture: Marilyn with Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall in How To Marry A Millionaire, 1953
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it."
Picture: Marilyn with Sammy Davis Jr., Milton Green and Mel Torme, 1955
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least I can dream."
Picture: Marilyn in 1952
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition."
Picture: Marilyn with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot, 1959
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up."
Picture: Marilyn in 1962
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"If I'd observed all the rules I'd never have got anywhere."
Picture: Marilyn in 1955
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle."
Picture: Marilyn in 1955
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Who said nights were for sleep?"
Picture: Marilyn in 1952
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"It's often just enough to be with someone. I don't need to touch them. Not even talk. A feeling passes between you both. You're not alone."
Picture: Marilyn with Keith Andes in Clash By Night, 1952
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"I restore myself when I'm alone."
Picture: Marilyn in 1954
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
“If I'm a star, then the people made me a star.”
Picture: Marilyn in 1955
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Sex is part of nature. I go along with nature."
Picture: Marilyn in 1962
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"If you can make a girl laugh, you can make her do anything."
Picture: Marilyn with Keith Andes in Clash By Night, 1952
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"I don't mind being burdened with being glamorous and sexual."
Picture: Marilyn in 1953
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
“The thing I want more than anything else? I want to have children. I used to feel for every child I had, I would adopt another.”
Picture: Marilyn with David Wayne in We're Not Married!, 1952
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
“A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night.”
Picture: Marilyn in 1952
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love."
Picture: Marilyn in 1950
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
“The trouble with censors is that they worry if a girl has cleavage. They ought to worry if she hasn't any.”
Picture: Marilyn in 1953
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
“Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.”
Picture: Marilyn in 1952
Love reading? Click here for the 100 Best Opening Lines From Books
Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."
Picture: Marilyn in 1950
Farewell to a legend: Oprah Winfrey's Life In Pictures
Picture credits: Rex Features and Getty Images