In reality, Marilyn Monroe was actually an intelligent and complicated woman, despite the fact that often the characters she played were unintelligent blondes. She was desired by other famous men and admired by the women who idolized her. Regardless, despite her fame and achievements, Marilyn Monroe's life sadly came to an end. In 1962, it was discovered that she had overdosed on sleeping pills, which led to her death. After her tragic death, the advertising industry abused her image and eventually she was seen as nothing more than a product in the public eye. (Scholastic Art