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How tall was Marilyn Monroe? Actress faced bullying in childhood due to her 'tall and scrawny' appearance

2023-10-22 19:50
In an interview, Marilyn Monroe once said that other children called her 'Norma Jeane, string bean' as she was too tall for her age
How tall was Marilyn Monroe? Actress faced bullying in childhood due to her 'tall and scrawny' appearance

NameNorma Jeane Mortenson
Date of BirthJune 1, 1926
Place of BirthLos Angeles, California, United States
Date of DeathAugust 5, 1962
Height5 ft 5½ in (166 cm)
Weight 54 kgs (119 lbs)
Eye colourBlue
SpouseArthur Miller (m. 1956–1961), Joe DiMaggio (m. 1954–1955), James Dougherty (m. 1942–1946)
Net Worth$3.5 million

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As per most sources, Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, reportedly had a height of 5 ft 5½ in (166 cm).

Her early life was marked by challenges, but her striking beauty propelled her from modeling to Hollywood, where she achieved fame with roles in iconic films like 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and 'Some Like It Hot'.

Despite her stardom, Monroe's personal life was marred by struggles, and she tragically passed away at 36. Her legacy lives on through her films and her status as a cultural icon.

Marilyn Monroe's height compared to Arthur Miller

As per CelebHeights, Arthur Miller, the renowned playwright, had a height of 6 ft 2½ in (189 cm), making Marilyn Monroe about 10 inches shorter than her third husband.

Monroe and Miller first met in the early 1950s when they were introduced by a mutual friend, Elia Kazan.

After becoming friends, their relationship evolved into a romance while Monroe was filming 'Asphalt Jungle'.

The couple married on June 29, 1956, in a civil ceremony in White Plains, New York, followed by a traditional Jewish wedding on July 1, 1956.

Unfortunately, their marriage faced numerous challenges and pressures, including media scrutiny, political controversies, and differences in personality and aspirations. They eventually separated in 1960 and finalized their divorce in 1961, marking the end of their relationship.

Marilyn Monroe's height compared to Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio, the famous baseball legend, is said to have had a height of 6 ft 2 in (188 cm), making Monroe 9.5 inches shorter than her second husband.

Monroe had a short but highly publicized marriage with baseball legend DiMaggio, whom she married on January 14, 1954. Their marriage only lasted for nine months before Monroe filed for divorce.

The relationship was marred by jealousy, control, and allegations of physical abuse, with a pivotal moment occurring during a publicity stunt for 'The Seven Year Itch'.

This iconic scene, filmed on a New York City subway grate, triggered DiMaggio's anger. Despite the turbulent marriage, Monroe and DiMaggio remained friends until her tragic death according to wwd.com

He supported her through surgeries and even helped her during a period of depression, leading to rumors of a possible reunion.

Marilyn Monroe's height compared to Judy Garland

Marilyn Monroe was significantly taller than Judy Garland, who is said to have had a height of 4 ft 11 in (149.9 cm).

According to Sid Luft's memoir, 'Judy and I', Garland and Monroe, two iconic stars of their time, shared a deep and haunting bond.

Monroe once sought help from Garland before her tragic 1962 death, as per the book. Moreover, Garland, who struggled with insomnia, deeply valued Monroe as a late-night confidante.

An excerpt from Garland's 1967 article in Ladies Home Journal describes a poignant encounter at a Hollywood party where Marilyn expressed her fear of loneliness.

Garland empathized with Monroe's fear of being alone, regretting not having the chance to help her.

Marilyn Monroe's height compared to Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield had a height of 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), making her slightly taller than Marilyn Monroe.

Both were iconic blonde bombshells of their era, known for their striking looks and captivating on-screen presence.

Mansfield faced a challenging path to Hollywood stardom, with roles in smaller films and a Playboy appearance.

Her big break came in 1955 when she portrayed a character akin to Monroe in the Broadway play 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?' Reviewers drew comparisons, but Mansfield insisted she wasn't imitating Monroe, and she admired the latter's beauty.

Although they never met, Monroe was aware of Mansfield and viewed her as a vulgar imitation, and she could sue Mansfield for the supposed insult.

Despite this, Mansfield's exaggerated portrayal of the blonde bombshell persona appealed to many. Director John Waters considered Mansfield the ultimate movie star, even surpassing parody to become an "insane Marilyn Monroe."

Marilyn Monroe was bullied in childhood for her tall height

Marilyn Monroe, who remains an enduring icon, grappled with the challenges of public image throughout her life, often contending with envy from others.

Monroe, who spent her early life in foster homes, faced childhood bullying due to her tall and scrawny appearance, earning the nickname "Norma Jeane, string bean."

"I was tall for my age and scrawny and my hair was short and rather thin and scraggly," said the 'The Seven Year Itch' star in an interview, as per The List.

From these challenging beginnings, Monroe's journey led her to become a successful pinup model and, later, a Hollywood star, solidifying her as an enduring figure in popular culture.

Marilyn Monroe's candid discussion on her diet and weight training regime

In a unique 1952 interview with Pageant magazine, Marilyn Monroe openly discussed her regime, sharing her preference for protein-rich meals.

She said, "My biggest single concern used to be getting enough to eat. Now I have to worry about eating too much. I never used to bother with exercises. Now I spend at least 10 minutes each morning working out with small weights."

"I have evolved my own exercises, for the muscles I wish to keep firm, and I know they are right for me because I can feel them putting the proper muscles into play as I exercise," added Monroe.

Her routine also focused on toning her bust. She lifted five-pound weights from a spread-eagle arm position to a point directly above her head, repeating this 15 times at a deliberate pace, as per Vogue.

She then performed the same exercise an additional 15 times with her arms raised above her head. Finally, with her arms forming a 45-degree angle from the floor, she moved the weights in circles until she felt fatigued.

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