Marilyn Monroe would have celebrated her 100th birthday today (June 1), and many will be remembering her for the icon that she was. But now one woman took her passion a step further08:25, 01 Jun 2026Marilyn Monroe is an icon, well known for her striking good looks and radiant screen presence. And with it being over 63 years since her death, the star's legacy still lives on.‌On what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday (June 1), people are remembering the blonde bombshell, and Melissa Bean, 31, from Kendal, has gone one step further than most fans to keep her memory alive. She shared: "I was a very young child when I saw the image of a beautiful, powerful blonde woman with red lips at a market with my family. I was instantly taken in and wanted to learn more, so I asked my parents who it was, and I was told, Marilyn Monroe. My parents bought me that picture, and when I got home, I wanted to learn more and purchase more with her on."‌But it wasn't until Melissa's teen years when she began her research on Marilyn, and found she wasn't just a pretty face - but also iconic for her words too.‌She said: "As I got older and experienced more life experiences, I started to really understand Marilyn and her story, and she very quickly became one of my idols. As a child, I loved her bold, powerful images, as a teenager, I loved her empowering quotes, but as a woman, I was in awe of what this woman accomplished and made of her sadly shortened life. Even at 31, I still believe there is a Marilyn Monroe quote that fits any circumstance you may be experiencing, and it has helped me keep going many times."One of my favourite quotes is 'Imperfection is Beauty, Madness is Genius, and it's better to be absolutely Ridiculous than absolutely Boring'. As a young woman, I never truly fit in, and I experienced bullying mainly for being different. This quote stuck with me because the most beautiful woman in the world never fit in and was criticised."Melissa also said that Marilyn made her realise it's "a gift to be different and unapologetically yourself". She gushed: "In terms of style, of course, she was the true icon who made the killer pairing of blonde hair and red lips, one I proudly rock myself. I always have my MAC Ruby Woo and DIVA in my makeup bag, as a young woman, she gave me that confidence to be daring and bold with my choices."‌Melissa also believes that because Marilyn Monroe was blonde, she was underestimated – but used that to her power.She said: "I'm blonde myself and Marilyn really used this to her power, and this is something I have come to do later in my life. No one should ever underestimate a blonde!‌"The main thing that made this woman become an icon in my life and someone I look up to is that she took the power and her power back. She also played on a stereotype with very negative connotations and turned the negative comments into a whole career. Marilyn Monroe was far from the 'dumb blonde' she loved to play. She was so ahead of her time with her concepts, views on life, business strategies and way of thinking."She was a clever, innovative businesswoman that built her own image and brand from the ground up. Marilyn Monroe was actually the character a young Norma Jean created. She took one look at her very troubled, traumatic and cruel life and said enough this is not what my life is going to be anymore. Yes, she was a beautiful woman, but she actually used her beauty to make a life for herself. By doing this, she became an inspiration to every young girl who had a dream of a better life.‌"Marilyn was not born into the world of glitz and glam that she was most famously known for, but she was the one who made it happen and got herself there. Even though most of her fame may be controversial, she was still talked about, admired and loved by so many, and she knew the golden rule 'sex sells', and she took that route of life by both hands and on the way became an icon inspiring millions and empowering women."And Melissa loves Marilyn so much that she wanted to ink her icon on her skin forevermore, choosing a tattoo on her upper thigh to pay homage to her.At first, she thought of getting the quote 'Imperfection is Beauty,' but then decided when she was in her late teens that she'd get a portrait of Marilyn instead. She toyed with the idea of a mix between Marilyn and a skull, and wanted to honour the star in this way.‌Melissa said: "I had grown up with a very talented tattooist named Luke Sayer. I'm so lucky and proud to say I've known him since we were teens. He has gone on to have an absolutely outstanding career, tattooing several celebrities such as Teddy Swims and Christina Aguilera, and even winning E4 Tattoo Artist of the Year. Luke started tattooing in a small Tattoo studio in Kendal. He now owns his own in Milnthorpe and has several very talented tattooists working in his studio."After speaking with Luke casually several times in and around town about my tattoo idea, I booked my appointment and paid my deposit. I was beyond excited to have an icon on me and someone that has influenced and been there throughout my life, especially the hard times, was a dream come true, and like Marilyn, I paid with my own money and made it happen for myself.‌"I had supplied Luke with a few images I was interested in, and after a few attempts at the half skull, we were both not happy with the idea. Luke loved one of the images of her face, and I wanted to add the roses, but put it on a slant, so between us, over several hours, we created the amazing tattoo that I absolutely love."I actually cried after the second sitting was completed; it was more than I could ever imagine. I love to show it off and feel complete having Marilyn Monroe on my right thigh forever. I hope to get it topped up soon as it's nearly 10 years old, but it's still as incredible as ever."Melissa said she wants Marilyn to be remembered, not for "the men, the indiscretions, her lifestyle, the rumours, conspiracy theories, her mental health," but for the fact she was a "powerful, strong, and empowering woman".Article continues belowShe concluded: "She was so ahead of her time and took back her power and voice even when the world was against her she stood for women and even today those quotes still empower, encourage and influence women, campaigns, designers, and more, and that's the true power this icon held and is why she will always be an idol and inspiration to many but especially to me and I wear her face with pride."Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and that is the beauty of a true icon because even today Marilyn is talked about, and apart from my own mother, I will always say my idol in life is Marilyn Monroe."