Introduction
There’s no denying a beauty like Marilyn Monroe endures the test of time, but the thought that keeps running through everyone’s mind is What is Marilyn Monroe Height?
Online, you will find 5’4″ and 5’6″ confusing claims. This article does us all a favor by setting the record straight about her actual height, 5 feet 5½ inches (166.4 centimeters), with solid sources, including her autopsy report.
And from her challenging childhood to her rise to fame and her time in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, let’s explore some of her height trivia, see how the star measured up to some of her fellow actors, and discover how her height contributed to forming the legend.
Devoted to finally finding out the truth about her height? Let’s get started!
Key Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Norma Jeane Mortenson (later Norma Jeane Baker) |
| Stage Name | Marilyn Monroe |
| Birth Date | June 1, 1926 |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Death Date | August 5, 1962 |
| Cause of Death | Probable suicide by barbiturate overdose, per coroner’s report |
| Height | 5 feet 5½ inches (166.4 cm), per autopsy report |
| Weight | ~120 pounds (54 kg), per costume records |
| Measurements | 36-24-36 (bust-waist-hips), per costume notes |
| Hair Color | Naturally brunette, dyed platinum blonde for her iconic look |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Childhood | Moved between foster homes, bullied for being “tall and skinny” |
| Education | Attended Van Nuys High School, dropped out at 16 to marry |
| First Marriage | James Dougherty (1942–1946) |
| Second Marriage | Joe DiMaggio (1954) – Baseball legend |
| Third Marriage | Arthur Miller (1956–1961) – Playwright |
| Notable Relationships | Linked to John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy (unconfirmed rumors) |
| Career Start | Modeling in 1944; signed with 20th Century Fox in 1946 |
| Breakout Role | Niagara (1953) – Established her as a dramatic actress |
| Iconic Films | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot |
| Awards | Golden Globe for Some Like It Hot (1960); Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame |
| Total Films | 29 films, including Bus Stop (1956) and The Misfits (1961) |
| Acting Training | Studied with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, New York |
| Singing Career | “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” |
| Business Ventures | Co-founded Marilyn Monroe Productions (1955) |
| Height in Career | Enhanced modeling and film presence, per designer William Travilla |
| Beauty Standards | Helped define the 1950s curvy ideal, per Vogue |
| Mental Health | Battled depression and anxiety; soug |
From Norma Jeane to Hollywood Star
Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, and she got off to a rough start. She bounced around foster homes as a child and was bullied for being “tall and skinny,” she said in a 1953 interview with Pageant.
However, her modeling work in the 1940s catapulted her to stardom in movies such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Not without struggles, notably marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, her allure made her a legend.
Her Marilyn Monroe biography made a comeback, with fans of Monroe considering it, as is always the case with the height of any Hollywood personality. To learn more about her life, read our Marilyn Monroe biography guide.
What Was Marilyn Monroe Height?
How tall was Marilyn Monroe? (Although her height was memorialized as 5 feet 5½ inches in a coroner’s report and costume designer William Travilla’s notes, according to Donald Spoto’s Marilyn Monroe: The Biography.)
Some fans, such as those on CelebHeights, argue that she is 5’4″ or 5’6″, taking into account her claimed height and the effects of heels. Her Marilyn Monroe height in feet is 5’5½” without heels.
This straightforward reply cuts through the fantasy and introduces her Hollywood narrative. Marilyn Monroe stood 5 feet 5½ inches (166.4 cm) tall.
Marilyn Monroe Height vs. Other Actresses Height
What was the height of Marilyn Monroe relative to other 1950s stars? At 5’5½” (166.4 cm), she was taller than the average woman back then (about 5’2″, according to U.S. health data).
For instance, Audrey Hepburn was 5’7″ while Elizabeth Taylor was 5’4″. Jayne Mansfield comes very close at only 5’5″: Monroe’s body type fit with the curvy, glamorous standard of the 1950s, rather than today’s thinner aesthetic. Here’s a quick look:
| Actress | Height | Notable Film |
| Marilyn Monroe | 5’5½” (166.4 cm) | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes |
| Audrey Hepburn | 5’7” (170 cm) | Roman Holiday |
| Elizabeth Taylor | 5’4” (162 cm) | Cleopatra |
| Jayne Mansfield | 5’5” (165 cm) | The Girl Can’t Help It |
The Marilyn Monroe comparison cleaves to her singular position in Hollywood.
How Her Height Shaped Her Hollywood Image
At 5’5½” inches, Marilyn Monroe wasn’t too tall for such movies as Some Like It Hot. She was tall and had curves that made her well-suited for roles of iconic women.
Costume designer William Travilla, as quoted in Spoto’s biography, created dresses to accentuate her Marilyn Monroe height and weight, such as the white dress in “The Seven Year Itch.”
In modeling, her height appeared on the Vogue covers. Want her look? Pair that with some fitted dresses or high heels to recreate her look from our Marilyn Monroe fashion guide.
It’s not difficult to see how her Marilyn Monroe stature, as well as her Hollywood roles, helped elevate her to stardom.
Beyond Height: Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Measurements
Marilyn Monroe height and weight were a part of Marilyn Monroe’s charm. Her 5’5½” measurements, somewhere around 36-24-36 (bust-waist-hips), according to costume records, embodied 50s glamour.
Her curvy figure, on display in 1953’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” was a departure from today’s more waiflike standards.
Travilla referred to her body as “perfectly proportioned.” Her body was just enough to accentuate the curves, and she was born to stand out in photoshoots.
A fan can have an infographic of her Marilyn Monroe weight and height, helping to bring her legendary style to life. Her proportions, equally iconic for their time and now, also inspire designers, a fact that’s clear in the pages of Vogue history.
Her Height’s Lasting Impact on Style and Culture
Size helped make Marilyn Monroe’s iconic style, from her 5’5½” stature to the infamous white dress worn in The Seven Year Itch.
Its custom design fitted to her frame would become a pop culture legend, featuring in films like “Blonde. Brands like ASOS sell Marilyn Monroe-inspired dresses that emulate her look today.
Her stature is often exaggerated in fan art and on posters on Amazon. And her pop-culturistic Marilyn Monroe height garners homages on Instagram. Want her vibe? So does a vintage-style dress, which will make you feel ever so much like the forties.
Honoring Marilyn Monroe Height and Iconic Style
Love Marilyn’s 5’5½” stature and style? Here’s how to celebrate her:
- Be Like Her: Wear fitted or halter-neck dresses from Nordstrom to achieve her Marilyn Monroe-like weight and height.
- Read Her Story: Get Marilyn Monroe: The Biography at Amazon.
- Deck the Walls with Her: Buy Marilyn Monroe posters for sale on Etsy.
- Fan Club: Link up with the Marilyn Monroe Fan Club on social media.
Her statuesque, Marilyn Monroe-like height, dresses, and legacy serve as inspirations for fans worldwide. For additional options, please take a look at our Monroe style tips.
Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Film Career
Her height is important in every aspect of a film. Marilyn Monroe height, 5’5½” (166.4 cm), shot her stellar film career into stardom.
She appeared in 29 movies, including the hit Some Like It Hot (1959), for which she won a Golden Globe, and The Seven Year Itch (1955), famous for her iconic subway grate scene.
Her tall stance also gave her a poised yet accessible aura, perfect for romantic comedies. Her size, for instance, elevated her glamorous dance scenes in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953).
Hollywood legend Anza was remembered for her sense of humor and charm. Learn more about her films on IMDb.
Marilyn Monroe and 1950s Beauty Standards
Marilyn Monroe’s height And Weight stood out in the 1950s. At 5’5½” and around 120 pounds, costume records state, she had the curvy ideal of her era, not the slimmer standard of today.
Her 36-24-36 measurements and glamorous height positioned her as a symbol of fashion glamour, according to Vogue’s history of the fashion industry.
What’s more, her statuesque stance in films such as Niagara (1953) encouraged women to be proud of their curves. Her image influenced beauty trends, from the full skirt to bold lipstick. Read more in our 1950s fashion guide.
Myths About Marilyn Monroe’s Public Image
Away from her Marilyn Monroe myths of height, there were also various rumors about her public image. Some have said she was nothing more than a “dumb blonde,” but not if you look at her serious roles, such as those in Some Like It Hot.
Another myth: Behind her glamour lay an ordinary personality. In truth, as Donald Spoto notes in Marilyn Monroe: The Biography, she took acting lessons from Lee Strasberg.
The height Marilyn Monroe fans covet added to her swagger and defied assumptions. For more information: Our guide to Monroe myths. These Marilyn Monroe height and weight truths and myths reveal her complexity.
Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Film Career
At an attainable 5’5½” (166.4 cm), the already-stellar Hollywood career of Marilyn Monroe started shining.
She made 29 films, including hits like “Some Like It Hot” (1959), for which she received a Golden Globe, and “The Seven Year Itch” (1955), which is best known for her iconic subway grate scene.
She was tall, which lent both grace and approachability, an ideal combination for romantic comedies. Her height supported her glamorously implausible choreographed dance sequences, for example, in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953).
Her wit and charm place her among Hollywood’s legends. Read about her films at IMDb.
Marilyn Monroe Height and 1950s Beauty Standards
Her size certainly helped set her apart. Standing 5-foot-5½ and weighing in at about 120 pounds, according to costume records, she was the era’s curvy ideal, not the slimmer standard of today.
Her tiny 36-24-36 measurements, combined with her height, became a figure that epitomized glamour, as noted in Vogue’s fashion history.
And in the film Niagara (1953), she made it fashionable for “ordinary” women to be proud of their curves as well. Her appearance set beauty trends, from full skirts to bold lipstick. Learn more in our guide to 1950s fashion.
Myths About Marilyn Monroe’s Public Image
In addition to the numerous Marilyn Monroe height rumors, her public image fueled numerous other rumors. Some dismissed her as a “dumb blonde,” but if only looking at her clever performances in Some Like It Hot.
Another myth: Her glittering exterior concealed a very ordinary personality. In truth, she took acting lessons from Lee Strasberg, as described in Donald Spoto’s Marilyn Monroe: The Biography.
Her height, something fans of such as Marilyn Monroe believe is necessary to be admired, increased her confident persona and debunked a stereotype.
For more information, visit our Monroe myths guide. These height rumors and truths reveal just how complex she truly was.
Conclusion
Marilyn Monroe was 5 feet 5½ inches (166.4 cm) tall, which was enough to add extra starshine to her Hollywood stardom.
From her rough-and-tumble childhood as Norma Jeane to her star turn in Some Like It Hot, her Marilyn Monroe height determined her iconic image.
Her shapely measurements and ageless style still tummy-tuck-woowing fans. Whether you adore her movies or her style, her spirit endures.
For instance, check our Marilyn Monroe style guide to copy her look, shop for height of Marilyn Monroe-inspired dresses on Amazon, or share your favorite Monroe memory in the comments below!
FAQs
How tall was Marilyn Monroe?
According to her autopsy report, Marilyn Monroe stood at 5 feet 5½ inches.
What was Marilyn Monroe height in feet?
Marilyn Monroe height was 5’5½” (166 cm), according to costume designer William Travilla.
What was Marilyn Monroe height in cm?
Her official height was 166.4 cm, as per Marilyn Monroe.
Was Marilyn Monroe tall for her time?
Yes, at 5’5½”, she stood taller than the average 1950s woman of 5’2″.
Why do some say Marilyn Monroe was 5’6″?
Heels and self-reported measurements are what created the Marilyn Monroe height 5’6″ lie.
