QUOTES BY AND ABOUT MARILYN MONROE
Separating Marilyn Monroe’s true voice from popular misquotes.
Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most quoted figures of the twentieth century, her image and voice endlessly reused across books, films, social media, and popular culture. Over time, many statements have been attributed to her, some drawn from authentic interviews and writings, and others created long after her lifetime and mistakenly placed in her mouth.
This page presents a curated record of Marilyn’s verified quotations alongside commonly repeated lines she never actually said. By separating documented sources from modern myths, we gain a clearer understanding of Marilyn’s true voice, her humor, intelligence, vulnerability, and the way her legacy has been shaped through both fact and fiction.
Marilyn Monroe left a lasting impression on everyone who encountered her. From directors and co stars to photographers and writers, those who knew her personally often spoke of her intelligence, sensitivity, and extraordinary presence. Their firsthand words offer rare insight into the woman behind the icon and preserve how she was seen by those who witnessed her life and work. Click LEARN MORE below to explore what others said about Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn Monroe Quotes
“I am not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.”
“No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they are pretty, even if they aren’t.”
“There was my name up in lights. I said, ‘God, somebody’s made a mistake.’ But there it was, in lights. And I sat there and said, ‘Remember, you’re not a star.’ Yet there it was up in lights.”
“I am invariably late for appointments–sometimes as much as two hours. I’ve tried to change my ways but the things that make me late are too strong, and too pleasing.”
“It stirs up envy, fame does. People…feel fame gives them some kind of privilege to walk up to you and say anything to you–and it won’t hurt your feelings–like it’s happening to your clothing.”
“I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.”
“Fame is fickle and I know it. It has its compensations, but it also has its drawbacks and I’ve experienced them both.”
“Only the public can make a star. It’s the studios who try to make a system out of it.”
“Gee, I never thought I had an effect on people until I was in Korea.”
“He [Arthur Miller] wouldn’t have married me if I had been nothing but a dumb blonde.”
“I don’t mind making jokes, but I don’t want to look like one.”
“It’s a make believe world, isn’t it?”
“I’m going to be a great movie star some day.”
“I learned to walk as a baby and I haven’t had a lesson since.”
“That’s the trouble, a sex symbol becomes a thing. But if I’m going to be a symbol of something, I’d rather have it sex than some other things we’ve got symbols of.”
“Everybody is always tugging at you. They’d all like a sort of chunk out of you. I don’ think they realize it, but it’s like ‘grrr do this, grr do that…’ But you do want to stay intact–intact and on two feet.”
“With fame, you know, you can read about yourself, somebody else’s ideas about you, but what’s important is how you feel about yourself–for survival and living day to day with what comes up.”
“She [Sadie Thompson] was a girl who knew how to be gay even when she was sad. And that’s important–you know?”
“[Hollywood is] a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.”
“I don’t want to play sex roles any more. I’m tired of being known as the girl with the shape.”
“Sex is part of nature. I go along with nature.”
“I want to grow old without facelifts. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I have made.”
“The working men, I’ll go by and they’ll whistle. At first they whistle because they think, oh, it’s a girl. She’s got blond hair and she’s not out of shape, and then they say, “Gosh, it’s Marilyn Monroe!” And that has it’s, you know, those are times it’s nice.”
Things She Didn't Say
Quotes Incorrectly Attributed To Marilyn Monroe
She remains one of the most quoted figures in modern history. Yet many of the words commonly attributed to her were never spoken or written by Marilyn at all.
In the decades following her death, countless inspirational sayings, humorous remarks, and philosophical observations have been mistakenly linked to her name. These misattributions often reflect the public’s perception of Marilyn Monroe rather than the documented reality of her voice. The widespread circulation of these quotes, particularly in the digital age, has blurred the distinction between historical record and popular myth.
Marilyn Monroe’s authentic words survive through verified interviews, personal letters, studio transcripts, and recorded conversations. These sources reveal a woman of intelligence, introspection, and emotional depth. Separating her genuine voice from fictional attributions is essential to preserving the truth of her legacy.
This section identifies quotes frequently and incorrectly credited to Marilyn Monroe, helping to distinguish documented history from cultural invention.
Learn About Marilyn Monroe
Discover more about the life and legacy of Marilyn Monroe.