From 2026 to 2027, the Centennial year of Marilyn Monroe is being celebrated around the world. Her memory lives on through the countless people who see her as a catalyst for optimism and inspiration in difficult times. They relate to her personal story rather than her fame. Many identify with her difficult childhood in the orphanage and foster care, while others consider her a civil rights icon for the Black and LGBTQ+ communities. She challenged the studio system as a woman in Hollywood and had her intelligence underestimated, they say. In Australia, Marilyn is a symbol of gutsiness in the face of adversity, and body positivity for people whose lives are touched by cancer. A true melting pot of the world is inspired by Marilyn Monroe for reasons that have little to do with her stardom.
Copyright photo: © Amy Gaskin






