The Cult of Marilyn Monroe

Why do women idolize Marilyn Monroe?  I just don't understand it. 

Marilyn Monroe grew up as Norma Jeane Baker and was raised in foster homes and orphanages because her mother was institutionalized for mental illness.  As Marilyn Monroe, she had several plastic surgeries and several marriages, while at the same time repeatedly suffering ectopic miscarriages, and subsequently developed a drug problem. 

So, why do so many women idolize her? 

Compared to the actresses of her day (and after) she is an average actress; compared to the singers of her day (and after) she is an average singer; the only thing that made her really stand out was her striking beauty and the fact that lots of men wanted to fuck her.

And, yet, women still want to be like her.  They want to emulate her, get tattooes of her likeness, quote her like she's Sophocles.  Why would anyone want to be like someone who couldn't get their own life together?  Take Anna Nicole Smith, for example, who idolized Marilyn Monroe and how did she end up?  Naked in bed and dead from a drug overdose just like her idol. 

And now young ladies like Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox are practically in a contest to see who loves Marilyn Monroe more.  Do you know what that says to me?  It says to me that these two young ladies don't want to be appreciated for their talent or intelligence but would rather be remembered for their controversy, good looks, and fuckability.

To these ladies, and ladies just like them, I say, don't sell yourselves so short.