25 Misattributed Marilyn Monroe Quotes

Posted by , Updated on March 24, 2024

Have you ever come across quotes credited to Marilyn Monroe while scrolling through your social media feed? Unless you’re completely disconnected, you likely have. Although these quotes can often provide motivation or positivity, they frequently bear no connection to Marilyn Monroe. Here are 25 examples of misquoted Marilyn Monroe sayings.

25

Keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about

Marylin Monroe smiling

Actual author – unknown

24

When it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother with what I do, then I’m already better than them anyway

Gossip

Actual author – unknown

23

We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle

milky way

Actual author – Marylin Monroe, however, it is a misquote. Her actual quote was made in a telegram on June 13, 1962. In declining an invitation to a party Marilyn wrote:

“Unfortunately, I am involved in a freedom ride protesting the loss of the minority rights belonging to the few remaining earthbound stars. All we demanded was our right to twinkle.

22

All a girl really wants is for one guy to prove to her that they are not all the same

Guy carrying girl

Actual author – unknown

21

Ever notice how “What the hell” is always the right answer?

Insignificance

Actual author – paraphrased line from the film Insignificance

20

Before marriage, a girl has to make love to a man to hold him. After marriage she has to hold him to make love to him.

wedding bands

Actual author – unknown

19

I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

how i met your mother

Actual author – paraphrased line from an episode of How I Met Your Mother

18

Just because you fail once doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything

darts

Actual author – unknown

17

Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world.

hands on globe

Actual author – Alona Kimhi

16

A girl doesn’t need anyone who doesn’t need her.

strong woman

Actual author – unknown

15

I’m pretty but I’m not beautiful. I sin but I’m not the devil. I’m good but I’m not an angel.

Girl in the midst of a storm with hair blowing in the wind(Image not Alona Kimhi)

Actual author – Alona Kimhi

14

I said pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.

wine

Actual author – unknown

13

Well behaved women seldom make history.

Punk girl with baseball bat breaking glass

Actual author – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

12

Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.

Leary

Actual author – Timothy Leary

11

Give a girl the right shoes and she will conquer the world.

Woman with the world in her hands

Actual author – Bette Midler

10

Your clothes should be tight enough to show you’re a woman but loose enough to show you’re a lady.

Model on couch with red dress

Actual author – Edith Head

9

A woman knows by intuition, or instinct, what is best for herself

crossroads

Actual author – unknown

8

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what your are not.

Andre Gide

Actual author – Andre Gide

7

I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.

Marilynm2

Actual author – unknown

6

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.

Kurt Cobain

Actual author – Kurt Cobain

5

To all the girls that think you're fat because you're not a size zero, you're the beautiful one it's society who's ugly.

size zero waist

Actual author – unknown

Note: size zero didn’t actually exist until 4 years after Marilyn died

4

I do what I like, I like what I do.

mary poppins

Actual author – line from Marry Poppins

3

A wise girl kisses but doesn't love, listens but doesn't believe, and leaves before she is left.

Girl with glasses blowing a kiss

Actual author – unknown

2

Being a sex symbol is a heavy load to carry, especially when one is tired, hurt, and bewildered.

monroe

Actual author – Clara Bow, talking about Marilyn

1

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

perfectly imperfect

Actual author – unknown



Image Credits: 1. Public Domain, 2. Marilyn_Monroe,_Korea,_1954.jpg: USMC Archives, derivative work: César via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY 2.0, 3. Shutterstock, 4. Public Domain, 5. Shutterstock, 6. Курт Кобейн via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 4.0, 7. Shutterstock, 8-9. Public Domain, 10-11. Shutterstock, 12. Philip H. Bailey via commons.wikimedia.org CC BY-SA 2.5, 13. Shutterstock, 14. Public Domain, 15-17. Shutterstock, 18. Public Domain, 19. Poster image of “How I Met Your Mother” used to describe the narrative on this list. Image used is of low quality and is believed its use falls under Fair Use according to United States copyright laws. 20. Shutterstock, 21. Poster image of “Insignificance” used to describe the narrative on this list. Image used is of low quality and is believed its use falls under Fair Use according to United States copyright laws., 22-25. Shutterstock, Featured Image: Public Domain.