Very Rare Photos Of Marilyn Monroe: An Icon's Most Underrated Pictures

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LOS ANGELES - 1951: Rising star Marilyn Monroe poses for a portrait in a dress made out of an Idaho potato sack in 1951 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Theisen/Getty Images)

In rare photos, the Marilyn Monroe we all know and recognize takes on a new dimension, even though her untimely death is over 50 years in the past. Her sense of humor shines through when she wears a potato-sack dress, and her humanity is touching in the last-ever photo taken of her. How well did you -- did any of us -- know the real Marilyn Monroe? 

It’s hardly controversial to say that Marilyn Monroe was one of the most beautiful women of the 20th century. There are famous photos and film stills that prove as much. However, these underrated and little-seen photos of the blonde bombshell show another side of the actress. You’ll see how she did her makeup for an ID and the natural beauty that’s apparent while she’s going for a swim.

Monroe passed away from a barbiturate overdose in 1962, and these photos cover her entire career from when she was a burgeoning model to the wife of Joe DiMaggio, and finally to when she was on top of the world.