Dear Marilyn offers a fresh insight into the life of the most-famous woman Hollywood has ever created. Through the stunning photography of Monroe’s close friend and confidant, the photographer, journalist and filmmaker Sam Shaw, this book brings Marilyn Monroe to life in a spectacular celebration of the centenary of her birth.


In Shaw’s own voice, through his diary entries and intimate correspondences with Monroe, we learn of their close friendship and an insider-view that charts her rise to stardom, the challenges she faced and her quest to find artistic authenticity. For the first time, Shaw also tells the origin story of his iconic ‘blowing skirt’ series from The Seven Year Itch.


Stunning digitally remastered photographs from the original 1940s–1960s archival material include some of the most famous images ever taken of Monroe: from behind the scenes of The Seven Year Itch to candid images of her on the streets of New York City and in love at the beach in Amagansett. Including never-before-seen images, Shaw’s work favours improvisation and shows Marilyn Monroe at her most spontaneous and radiant.


“Marilyn was born out of time, still she became a superstar, a myth, and a legend.” — Sam Shaw