Long Island celebrates Marilyn Monroe's 100th with beachside tributes and nostalgia
Long Island will honour Marilyn Monroe throughout June, marking what would have been her 100th birthday. The celebrations include tributes at local beaches and cinemas, recognising the island’s role in her rise to fame. A plaque was recently unveiled at Tobay Beach, where her iconic transformation began in 1949. Marilyn Monroe’s journey to stardom started quietly on Long Island. Photographer André de Dienes brought Norma Jean Mortenson to Tobay Beach, a less crowded spot than nearby Jones Beach. The photos taken there helped turn her into the world-famous 'blonde bombshell'.
Her time on Long Island extended beyond her early career. While married to playwright Arthur Miller, she lived in Amagansett. During their marriage, she suffered an ectopic pregnancy and lost the baby. After recovering in a New York hospital, Miller welcomed her home with a handwritten sign: *Welcome home, Marilyn*. The island remained a significant place for her. She frequently visited its beaches, and her connection to the area endured long after her rise to fame.
The June tributes will highlight Monroe’s ties to Long Island, from her first photoshoot to her later years. The newly unveiled plaque at Tobay Beach serves as a permanent reminder of her legacy. Events across the island will celebrate her life and the region’s part in her story.
