20 Candid Photos of Marilyn Monroe Before Hollywood Transformed Her

Written by Rachel Schneider on June 9, 2025

Split image: On the left, a young woman smiles holding a mug and bread in a black-and-white photo. On the right, she smiles outdoors in a colorful plaid blouse and checkered skirt, with the ocean in the background.

Before the platinum hair, the breathy voice, and the world’s adoration, Marilyn Monroe was Norma Jeane — an ambitious, wide-eyed girl navigating a rough childhood, bouncing between foster homes and big dreams. Long before she lit up the silver screen, she worked in a factory, posed for pin-up photos, and quietly studied the craft of becoming someone unforgettable. These photos shine a light on who she was before she became someone everyone knew.

1. Holding a Baby Goat

A young woman in a vintage dress stands outside in a field, smiling and holding a small lamb. Sheep graze in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — UserDeleted

2. Sharpshooter Norma Jeane

A young woman with braided hair, wearing a plaid shirt and a cap, aims a rifle against a clear blue sky. She has a focused expression and red lipstick. — UserDeleted

3. The Beginning of Norma Jeane’s Modeling Career

A young woman with curly hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a red and white striped t-shirt and white shorts with suspenders, posed against a dark background. — Se7enEle7en711

4. Red Hair and Bare Feet

A young woman with curled hair and a red hairband, wearing a pink plaid shirt and rolled-up jeans, smiles while sitting barefoot on a wooden fence in a grassy, sunlit outdoor setting. — Electrical-Aspect-13

5. Working at the Factory

A smiling woman with curly hair, wearing a green blouse and gray high-waisted pants, stands beside a red machine, appearing to work on it with a tool inside an industrial setting. — jaykirsch

6. Teenage Norma Jeane With Her Friends in a Rowboat

Three women in swimsuits smile and pose while sitting in a small rowboat on the water; one holds an oar as they look up toward the camera. — wadeybb

7. On the Beach at 17

A young woman in a patterned crop top and skirt stands on a sandy beach, smiling. A pier and buildings are visible in the background, along with water and distant hills. The photo appears to be black and white, vintage style. — pregglt

8. Young Norma Jeane in 1939

Three women pose together outdoors in a black-and-white photo. One woman is seated in front, smiling, while two older women stand behind her. They all appear relaxed and content. — vunerableabyss

9. Smiling in the Sun

A young woman with wavy hair sits on the sand at the beach, smiling brightly. She wears a striped two-piece swimsuit and looks off to the side, with the ocean and blue sky in the background. — psycot

10. At the Pumpkin Patch

A smiling woman stands in front of a large pile of pumpkins, holding one pumpkin in her arms. She wears blue jeans, a dark jacket, and a pink shirt with a red reindeer pattern. Trees and a building are in the background. — psycot

11. Queen of the Radioplane Plant Where She Worked

A black-and-white photo of a smiling young woman with wavy hair is on the left. On the right, a newspaper article describes a Shamrock Villa Scene Gay RPA Union Party, highlighting a queen with two attendants. — eaglemaxie

12. Channeling Dorothy Vibes

A young woman with wavy blond hair, wearing a red bow and striped shirt, smiles while sitting on a bicycle. A brown and white puppy sits in the bike’s front basket. Trees and a building are visible in the background. — eaglemaxie

13. Becoming One With Nature

A smiling young woman with curly hair wears a large pink bow, a light pink sweater, and a black-and-white checkered skirt, standing outdoors and holding a tree branch. — ManufacturerActual31

14. Modeling to Boost Morale for Female Workers

A young woman with braided hair smiles while holding a mug and a cloth. She wears a knitted vest over a sweater and sits in front of a stone wall, with fireplace tools visible in the background. — eaglemaxie

15. Dolled Up in the Road

A young woman with dark hair in an updo sits on a deserted dirt road, smiling at the camera. She wears a short-sleeved fuzzy sweater and checkered pants, with her hands resting on her knees. The background is blurred. — GaGator43

16. The 16-Year-Old Bride

A young woman in a white lace bridal gown and veil holds a white book with a gold cross, posing against a sparkling blue background. She has wavy brown hair, red lipstick, and a gentle smile. — Harvickfan4Life

17. Death Valley Photo Shoot

A woman wearing a green sweater and yellow pants climbs a rocky, light-colored slope, smiling at the camera with rugged mountains and a deep blue sky in the background. — eaglemaxie

18. That Beautiful Smile

A smiling woman with wavy brown hair stands outdoors by a wooden railing, wearing a colorful plaid blouse and houndstooth skirt. The background shows a clear blue sky and the ocean. — m0m0tamatar

19. Stopping Traffic

A young woman sits barefoot on an empty road, smiling at the camera. She wears a short-sleeved top and a polka-dot skirt. The scene is outdoors with hills in the background and an old car in the distance. — ILoveRegenHealth

20. Posing for a Picture

A smiling woman with wavy hair and a white bow sits on sandy beach, wearing a red sweater and black-and-white checkered shorts, with the ocean and blue sky in the background. — morganmonroe81

Want more insight into the lives of celebrities?

Take a peek at These 20 Vintage Postcards Offer a Rare Glimpse at Celebrity Homes and These 10 Celebrity Christmas Trees Cost More Than a Car. And for a look at how the 1% fly, check out 10 Surprising Features of the World’s Most Extravagant Celebrity Jets.