A special celebration in honor of the actress’ life and legacy is in the works with ‘Marilyn Monroe 100: The Official Centenary Publication’

On June 1, 2026, the world will mark what would have been the 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe, a woman who remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons more than six decades after her death.

To commemorate the milestone, Monroe’s estate has announced the release of Marilyn Monroe 100: The Official Centenary Publication, a book that promises to tell her life’s story through some of the most intimate and breathtaking images ever captured of the actress.

The official centenary publication, created in collaboration with ACC Art Books, gathers together curated photographs spanning Monroe’s life

— from the earliest images of Norma Jeane Mortenson before she became a star, to the glamorous publicity shots that defined her rise, and finally to the hauntingly beautiful final portraits taken just before her untimely death in 1962.

Alongside the visuals are quotes from Monroe herself — witty, vulnerable, and profound — paired with reflections from scholars, photographers, and admirers who worked with or studied her.

“This book is not just about glamour,” publisher James Smith explained when introducing the project. “We have endeavoured to collect many of the greatest images of Monroe and compile them in a way that truly celebrates her enduring legacy on her 100th birthday.”

The collection includes the work of some of the most legendary photographers of the 20th century. André de Dienes and Joseph Jasgur provide a glimpse of the young Norma Jeane, whose natural charm and radiant smile foreshadowed the star she would become.

John Florea and Philippe Halsman showcase Monroe during her climb to stardom in the early 1950s, perfectly capturing the blend of innocence and ambition that drew studios and audiences alike.

The portraits by Eve Arnold, Elliott Erwitt, Bruce Davidson, and Henri Cartier-Bresson offer candid on-set moments, showing Monroe at work during the production of her most celebrated films, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot.

The book also revisits Monroe’s most famous collaborations with fashion and portrait masters Cecil Beaton and Richard Avedon, who elevated her allure into timeless art.

But it is the candid shots from photographers like Alfred Eisenstaedt, Sam Shaw, George Barris, and Milton Greene that reveal the woman behind the legend.

These images capture Monroe laughing on a breezy New York street, relaxing between takes, or simply gazing into the distance with a mix of playfulness and melancholy that defined much of her public persona.

The final section of the book includes Bert Stern’s unforgettable The Last Sitting, taken just weeks before her death, and rarely seen images from Allan Grant’s shoot for Life magazine, which showed Monroe radiant and smiling.

Those photographs, published only two days before her passing, are among the most poignant in her entire archive, representing a woman caught between triumph and tragedy.

Monroe’s life, of course, was not solely one of glamour. Behind the cameras and adoring crowds, she struggled with mental health issues, insomnia, and the pressures of fame.

At the time of her death on August 4, 1962, she was just 36 years old and under constant medical supervision.

The mystery surrounding her final hours — and whether her overdose was accidental or intentional — remains unresolved, feeding speculation for generations. Yet even amid the shadows of her story, Monroe’s charm, talent, and resilience continue to shine.

Her estate has been careful in curating her memory over the years, partnering only with select projects that uphold her dignity and cultural significance.

The decision to release a centenary book reflects not only her timeless popularity but also the fascination she continues to inspire worldwide. As the estate noted in its announcement, Monroe is “not just an actress, but a cultural symbol whose spirit transcends time.”

Fans across the globe are already preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday next summer, with events planned in Los Angeles, New York, and even overseas in Paris and London, where Monroe’s influence touched the world stage.

Film retrospectives are expected, alongside museum exhibitions featuring her costumes, letters, and personal belongings. Collectors are anticipating rare auctions, with items ranging from signed photographs to vintage movie posters tied to her most beloved roles.

Even in modern pop culture, Monroe’s presence has never faded. She has been portrayed on screen by actresses such as Michelle Williams, Ana de Armas, and Misty Rowe, each attempting to capture her spirit.

Songs, fashion campaigns, and art installations still invoke her image, proving that Monroe remains a touchstone of beauty and complexity.

For younger generations who did not live through her era, books like Marilyn Monroe 100 offer an entry point into her story — one of dreams, struggles, and a legacy that defies the limits of time.

For those who admired her in life and for those discovering her anew, the centenary book will serve as both a tribute and a reminder. Marilyn Monroe was more than a starlet in a white dress over a subway grate. She was Norma Jeane, a foster child who dreamed of love and success.

She was a woman who fought to be taken seriously as an actress, even as studios sought to keep her boxed into the role of the “blonde bombshell.” She was a poet in her private notebooks, a survivor of trauma, and a seeker of happiness who left the world far too soon.

As her 100th birthday approaches, Marilyn Monroe 100: The Official Centenary Publication aims to preserve her essence for the next century.

It ensures that when people think of Monroe, they will see not just the icon but the human being who, in her own words, “just wanted to be wonderful.” And in the eyes of millions who continue to adore her, she always will be.