Forty-nine years ago today, the world said “goodbye” to Norma Jean, the name given at birth to the eventual iconic sex symbol better known as Marilyn Monroe. On this date in 1962, the model, actress and singer was found dead at her home in California at the age of 36. Though ruled a suicide by the authorities, theories about the cause of the star’s death–ranging from murder to conspiracies involving the Mafia–abound nearly a half-century later.

After a troubled childhood and being shuttled from foster home to foster home, Monroe’s serendipitous discovery, which launched a prolific modeling career that in turn led to an equally successful film career, seemed to portend a happily-ever-after ending worthy of the silver screen. Despite her meteoric rise, her adult life would prove to be just as turbulent as her younger years, if not more so.

As a young bride, Monroe worked in a munitions factory in a “Rosie the Riveter”-type position, while her Merchant Marine husband was away on duty. The then-brunette was captured by an Army photographer who encouraged her to pursue work with a modeling agency.

Based on the guidance of The Blue Book Modeling Agency with which she signed, she bleached her brown locks blond; the rest, as they say, is history. Dozens of magazine covers later, the burgeoning young model caught the eye of producers and film executives.

What followed remain some of the most memorable films in cinema history, such as “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “The Seven Year Itch” and, toward the end of her career, “Some Like It Hot,” which also won her the Golden Globe for Best Actress.

Despite these successes, Monroe became a chore to work with, often prone to being late or refusing to participate in filming. Her battle with insomnia–and the drugs she was taking to treat it–didn’t improve the reputation she was quickly developing for being difficult. 

By the time of her death, Monroe counted three failed marriages–one each with baseball great Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller. Leading up to even her final days, the sex symbol was famously linked to then-President John F. Kennedy.

Her sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” at a public celebration for Kennedy’s 45th birthday surely got tongues wagging at what would be her last major public appearance. Less than three months after this performance, Monroe was found dead in her California home.

Since her untimely death, Monroe has inspired plenty of stars who have aspired to her look, her sex appeal and even her fashion. There’s no telling how often the famous subway grate scene in “The Seven Year Itch” has been imitated. And the dress she wore during her famous birthday serenade garnered $1.26 million at auction in 1999.