©Amy Gaskin, Marilyn Forever! Front Cover of Book

It all began with the discovery of a cherry red lipstick print left behind on a crypt and a conversation with a stranger at Marilyn Monroe’s grave. That encounter blossomed into a quest to find out about those who not only pay homage to the Marilyn of the silver screen, but most surprisingly, to the Norma Jeane Mortenson you’ll learn about on these pages. Bravo, Amy! —Don Bartletti
 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography

As the centennial of Marilyn Monroe’s birth approaches on June 1st, 2026, her cultural presence remains very much alive. Her legacy endures not simply because she was beautiful or famous, but because she embodied profound contradictions. Beneath the constructed glamour of “Marilyn Monroe” was Norma Jeane, a woman shaped by growing up in foster care, instability, and an ongoing search for love and belonging. Perhaps most importantly, Marilyn endures because she revealed something about fame itself. She exposed the emotional cost of becoming an image consumed by millions. Long before the age of social media and self-curation, she lived the paradox of public visibility paired with profound personal isolation.

Photographer Amy Gaskin became intrigued with her legacy and her affect on generations of men and women who continue to have the desire to emulate the star. After discovering her lipstick cover crypt at a cemetary in Los Angeles, she began an investigative journey to document the handful of years before her 100th birthday. The result is a new book, Marilyn Forever!  Marilyn Monroe—A Symbol of Hope, a collection of photographs and interviews documenting the continuing impact of Marilyn Monroe decades after her death in the lives of people around the world. The images and writing, by the author, are a testament to the passion and creativity people bring to their tributes to Marilyn. She is loved for who she was as a person, rather than her stardom. Through her remarkable rags-to-riches story, she inspires many to persevere against the odds.

This work has recently been selected as a top ten finalist for the World Report Award, in both the Master and Spotlight categories. Amy’s work from this project can be seen in the upcoming group show at the Staley-Wise Gallery in New York City this summer.

©Amy Gaskin, Marilyn Forever! Back Cover of Book

Amy Gaskin is a photographer and journalist based in Los Angeles.  Extraordinary access is a hallmark of her images, which she earns by spending time with the people she photographs. She strives to capture intimacy and truth in her art.

Her new book Marilyn Forever!  Marilyn Monroe—A Symbol of Hope documents and illustrates the personal ways people are inspired by Marilyn Monroe for reasons far beyond her stardom.  During the early days of the pandemic, she happened upon Marilyn’s crypt, where she was surprised to find wet lipstick marks decorating her resting place while the majority of the world was standing six feet apart. She began to interview and photograph visitors at her grave. Many shared stories of how memories of Marilyn’s remarkable attributes and actions helped them through the toughest of times. Perhaps the most surprising discovery was that many identify with the trauma of her abuse, adoption and foster care, while others consider her a civil rights icon for the Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Marilyn’s memory lives on in surprising ways through countless people around the world who are connected and inspired by her enduring legacy.

National Geographic, The Washington Post, STERN Magazine, The Guardian, Associated Press, BloodHorse, CBS, ABC, Los Angeles Times, and others have featured her work.

Awards include: World Report Award / Documenting Humanity – Top Ten Shortlist in Master and Spotlight categories (results pending); Four-time National winner, American Photographic Artists (APA); Best of American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP); First Place, International Color Awards; Lucie Foundation (MOPLA); International Photography Awards; Leica Award and FujiFilm Awards: Palm Springs International Photo Festival; Critical Mass, Top 50 winner.

Her images have been selected for group shows by jurors from major museums and photographic organizations around the world, including the J. Paul Getty Museum; National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Elizabeth Avedon, and others.

Especially close to her heart is the story of the Last Holocaust Survivor of Trochenbrod, Poland: Betty Gold, as well as her portrait series “Living Rough”.

Long-term projects are a passion: While covering horse racing, she chose a juvenile horse and elderly trainer to feature who, at the time, were not well-known. That horse was California Chrome, who has since gone on to make history and has become the richest winner in North American history. She documented his journey to the Triple Crown races including the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. The gallery of her images rose to second position on Google, behind Sports Illustrated’s.

Her horse racing images are in the permanent collection and display at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Her current project about Marilyn Monroe has been recognized by World Report Award / Documenting Humanity / Festival of Ethical Photography, American Photographic Artists (National), Best of ASMP, International Color Awards, Critical Mass Top 50, and many others.

She is President Emerita of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles (PPAGLA), a 90-year-old organization comprised of over 400 members of the broadcast and still visual news media working in the Greater Los Angeles area.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern and her Masters of Business Administration at USC (MBA) where she was awarded the Captain Winifred Q. Collins United States Navy Endowed Fellowship – a full-tuition merit award.

In 2024, she was inducted into the Council of One Hundred at Northwestern University, an organization of the university’s 100 distinguished living female graduates.

Instagram: @amygaskinphoto

©Amy Gaskin, Spread from Marilyn Forever

©Amy Gaskin, Spread from Marilyn Forever

©Amy Gaskin, Spread from Marilyn Forever

©Amy Gaskin, Spread from Marilyn Forever

©Amy Gaskin, Spread from Marilyn Forever

©Amy Gaskin, Spread from Marilyn Forever

Marilyn Forever!  Marilyn Monroe—A Symbol of Hope

Marilyn Monroe begins her centennial year. Yet, like ripples on a pond, her memory lives on through countless people who are connected and inspired by her enduring legacy.

During the early days of the pandemic, I happened upon Marilyn’s crypt, where I was surprised to find wet lipstick marks and flowers decorating her resting place while most of the world was standing six feet apart. Knowing little about Marilyn, I began to interview and photograph visitors at her grave.

Many shared stories of how memories of Marilyn’s remarkable attributes and actions helped them through the toughest of times. I learned Marilyn is a symbol of hope for many. Perhaps the most remarkable discoveries were that many identify with the trauma of her abuse, adoption and foster care, while others consider her a civil rights icon for the Black and LGBTQ+ communities.

For this series, I’ve travelled to several countries to photograph my subjects in addition to journaling my observations. Through this experience, my understanding of my own work and self has deepened by witnessing others’ connection to Marilyn. I now see my own story through a different lens: my own personal history with its challenges and scars, and persevering in spite of it all. – Amy Gaskin

©Amy Gaskin, Lipstick, Marilyn Monroe’s crypt is covered in kisses.

©Amy Gaskin, Night statue being sprayed, The 26-ft-tall sculpture, Forever Marilyn, is being sprayed during its installation in Palm Springs. There is hope that bringing the sculpture will help revive the city’s lagging tourist economy which has been decimated during the pandemic. Due to a record heat wave, it is impossible for the artists to complete much of the work during the daytime, forcing them to work at night.

©Amy Gaskin, Car full of Marilyns, She’s a Symbol of Hope Swimmer Belinda (front left) explains, “My mum died of bowel cancer when she was 58, and I had a good friend whose son died at 32 of cancer. It seems everyone has a connection to cancer. This is our ninth year doing the swim.” Back left to right: Petal (Belinda’s granddaughter, 6 years old). Mark, and Monique. Front left to right: Belinda, Wisha, and Jacqui.

©Amy Gaskin, Giant feet, Final preparations Artist Karina works at sunrise due to the record heatwave in Palm Springs. The artists are working overtime to complete the installation in time for tomorrow’s unveiling celebration.

©Amy Gaskin, oing into the house, Today is Marilyn’s birthday and Monica is bringing a dish to the fan club’s party. “I can’t imagine my life without Marilyn. Her vulnerability and the things she has conquered and accomplished are both inspiring and relatable. She means everything to me.”

Marilyn Forever!  Marilyn Monroe—A Symbol of Hope

BOOK SPECS

168 pages, trim size 11 x 11 inches, hardcover, printed in Italy

How to order the book:

Please go to amygaskin.com to order the book, limited edition, and to support the project through the tax-deductible non-profit foundation Creative Visions.

Publisher website

rochepublishing.com