Marilyn Monroe’s Meteoric Rise From Scandal to Stardom

Plus, new unseen photos of the Hollywood icon.

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS In our age of reality shows and social media, it’s entirely normal (if not necessary) for scandal and stardom to coexist. In the ’50s, however, during Marilyn Monroe’s heyday, a pinup calendar was not exactly a common or acceptable launchpad for a burgeoning star. But Monroe, a ravishing blonde who’d posed nude before getting her big break, set the stage for all the bombshells of the future—and ultimately showed that sexiness and scandal did not eliminate the possibility that you could still go on to give an acting performance that a critic would deem “surprisingly good.” A revelation! In an exclusive excerpt from The Marilyn Monroe Century: From Norma Jeane to Icon―A Story in Photographs, Joshua John Miller and Mark A. Fortin offer never-before-seen images of the famed actor, who would have turned 100 this year. Elsewhere, don’t miss Dan Adler’s story in which he speaks to the stars of Laguna Beach ahead of a special celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary; José Criales-Unzueta’s dispatch on Stefano Gabbana’s apparent departure from Dolce & Gabbana, the prolific fashion label that reportedly has €450 million in debt; and Washington correspondent Aidan McLaughlin’s column on what happens to Wall Street when the market meets Donald Trump’s threats. ADRIENNE GREEN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR Why this ad? Marilyn Monroe’s Meteoric Rise From Scandal to Stardom BY JOSHUA JOHN MILLER AND MARK A. FORTIN In an exclusive excerpt from their new book, The Marilyn Monroe Century: From Norma Jeane to Icon―A Story in Photographs, Joshua John Miller and Mark A. Fortin trace the icon’s meteoric rise from scandal to stardom. Plus, a selection of previously unpublished photographs by Bruno Bernard. READ MORE Get more as a Vanity Fair subscriber Exclusive offer: Subscribe to get one month of Vanity Fair free START YOUR FREE TRIAL More Great Reads TELEVISION The Laguna Beach Cast Goes Back, Back to the Beginning BY DAN ADLER Ahead of a 20th-anniversary special, Vanity Fair catches up with the show’s executive producer and its stars, Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavallari, and Stephen Colletti—the ultimate aughts-era love triangle. READ MORE THEATER “Shall We Go For It?” How Titaníque Sailed From a Grocery Store Basement to Broadway BY CHRIS MURPHY The cast and creative team behind Broadway’s buzziest musical comedy chat with VF about the hilarious Titanic and Céline Dion spoof’s long and winding journey to the Great White Way. READ MORE FASHION Fashion Iconoclast Michèle Lamy Has a Lot to Say BY JOSÉ CRIALES-UNZUETA The indomitable fashion designer, entrepreneur, and cultural anarchist received a lifetime achievement nod at the Fashion Trust US Awards on Tuesday. In a conversation with VF, she talks striptease, artificial intelligence, Rick Owens, Zohran Mamdani, and much, much more. READ MORE Party Animals Apocalypse Later BY AIDAN MCLAUGHLIN For much of Donald Trump’s second term as president, the stock market has curbed his worst impulses. In this week’s column, Aidan McLaughlin speaks to Wall Street titans as the market meets Trump's threats: “This is a trader’s wet dream.” READ MORE Why this ad? In Case You Missed It What Is Going On at Dolce & Gabbana? Stefano Gabbana, who cofounded the fashion house alongside his then partner in 1985, has reportedly resigned as chair of the company. The Pitt Saves Lives Off the Show Too Patrick Ball reveals how his breakout role on the hit HBO Max medical drama saved him from $80,000 in debt: “I thought I was gonna die with it.” MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.