Published to celebrate what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, this lavish book showcases photographs by the legendary Bernard of Hollywood (Dr. Bruno Bernard) that document her transformation from Norma Jean to Marilyn Monroe, and includes never-before-seen photographs and diary entries
The Marilyn Monroe Century is a landmark tribute to one of the most enduring icons of the 20th century. Lushly produced for fans and collectors alike, this is both a celebration of Monroe’s centennial and a definitive portrait of her life in front of—and behind—the camera.
In 1999, the Museum of Modern Art declared Dr. Bruno Bernard’s legendary photograph Marilyn in White—capturing Monroe on the 20th Century Fox backlot as her white dress billowed above a subway grate—the symbol of the century. This single image defined 1950s Hollywood glamour and continues to echo across pop culture in songs, films, artworks, and more today.
The Marilyn Monroe Century presents never-before-seen images from the set of Billy Wilder’s The Seven Year Itch (1955), offering an intimate window into the complex relationship between Bernard and Monroe. The book revisits their fractured friendship, their quiet reconciliation at her home as she announced her divorce from Joe DiMaggio, and her shocking act of rebellion in posing for a photograph that continues to enchant—and provoke—decades later.
More than a collection of photos, this is a sweeping visual biography. Through Bernard’s lens—and thoughtfully supplemented by the work of other photographers—the book traces Norma Jean’s transformation into Marilyn Monroe. Personal diary entries from Bernard and commentary from modern Hollywood voices, including Sean Baker, director of the Academy Award–winning Anora, lend new context and insight.
