Marilyn Monroe passed away in 1962 at the age of 36, leaving behind a net worth of $800,000, which, according to Tudum, would be worth $7 million today. Monroe, named Norma Jeane Mortenson at birth, grew up with an absent father and mentally ill mother. As a result, Monroe spent much of her childhood in orphanages and foster homes, per NPR. In her will, the actress established a trust that would pay for her mother's ongoing care, left $10,000 to her half sister, and set aside $5,000 for her niece's education. But the majority of Marilyn Monroe's estate and intellectual property went to Lee Strasberg, her long-time acting coach and father figure. Included in the fortune was Lee's wife, Paula, who was also close with Marilyn.
According to Vanity Fair, the star's intellectual and physical properties went to Lee Strasberg's third wife, Anna, upon his death in 1982; Paula Strasberg passed away in 1966. As detailed by NPR, the new Mrs. Strasberg employed CMG Worldwide to help her manage the actress' estate. In the years since, Anna Strasberg has made millions off of Marilyn's likeness, turning the icon into everything from t-shirts to bobble heads to, most recently, the story at the center of 2022's "Blonde."
