Paul Sanchez
Celebrities have been insuring body parts since the 1930s, when the Hollywood movie industry began to boom. Performers usually insure themselves against injury on set, but some insure specific body parts that are critical to their livelihood. For example, legendary actress and dancer Cyd Charisse insured her legs in the 1940s. So, did Marilyn Monroe insure her legs?
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What You'll Learn
Celebrities have been insuring body parts since the 1930s
Silent film clown Ben Turpin was one of the first celebrities to insure a body part, taking out a policy on his crossed eyes for fear that his career would be over if they were to become uncrossed. In the 1940s, actress Bette Davis insured her waist for $28,000, worth approximately $630,000 today. Dancer and actress Cyd Charisse also insured her legs in the same decade.
In recent times, celebrities continue to insure their body parts for millions of dollars. Supermodel Heidi Klum, singer Jennifer Lopez, and musician David Beckham are among those who have insured their legs. Singer Dolly Parton reportedly insured her breasts for $600,000, while Kylie Minogue insured her buttocks for $4.4 million. Even more unusual, singer Miley Cyrus insured her tongue for $1 million following her 2013 VMAs performance.
While it may seem strange, insuring body parts is a calculated risk management strategy that allows celebrities to safeguard their livelihoods and pursue their passions without the constant fear of a career-altering setback.
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Insuring body parts is a regular business expense
While there is no evidence that Marilyn Monroe insured her legs, it is indeed a common practice for celebrities to insure their body parts. This trend dates back to the 1930s when Hollywood movie musicals gained popularity, and performers often insured themselves against injuries on set. For instance, Cyd Charisse, a renowned actress and dancer, insured her legs in the 1940s, and Jimmy Durante insured his iconic nose.
In recent times, with social media influencing a performer's image more than ever, insuring body parts is considered a regular business expense for many celebrities. This is especially true for those whose physical appearance is critical to their brand and livelihood. For example, Kylie Minogue, who rose to fame with her Marilyn Monroe-like persona, insured her buttocks for $4.4 million. Similarly, Dolly Parton, another celebrity known for her curvaceous figure, insured her famous behind for a whopping $21 million.
Athletes, dancers, and other performers whose careers heavily rely on their physical capabilities may also choose to insure specific body parts. For instance, a dancer may insure their legs, while a sports player may insure their shoulders or feet. By doing so, they protect themselves financially in case an injury affects their career.
While some may view this practice as unusual, it has become increasingly common as performers take on more physically demanding roles, such as actors performing their own stunts or athletes playing through the off-season. Insuring body parts provides a level of financial security and peace of mind for celebrities and their extensive support staff.
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Monroe's legs hadn't been shaved for at least a week when she died
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jean Mortensen, is one of the most well-known faces from the golden era of Hollywood. Her death, like her life, was full of controversy. Monroe died at the age of 36 in 1962 following a suspected overdose.
Monroe was a superstar performer, and her body was critical to her livelihood. It is not surprising that her legs hadn't been shaved for at least a week when she died. In fact, it is quite common for celebrities to insure their body parts, especially those that are critical to their image and livelihood. For example, Australia's Kylie Minogue, who rose to fame with her Marilyn Monroe-like persona, clothing, and physicality, insured her butt for $4.4 million. Likewise, legendary actress and dancer Cyd Charisse, who performed many jaw-dropping dance numbers, insured her legs in the 1940s.
When Monroe's body was prepared for burial, the funeral director, Allan Abbott, was shocked by her appearance. He claimed that Monroe looked like a "'very average, aging woman who had not been taking very good care of herself." Abbott noted that her hair was frizzy and short, and her natural hair colour was light brown, not blonde. Her legs hadn't been shaved for at least a week, and her lips were badly chapped. She also needed a manicure and pedicure.
Monroe's body became a reminder of the importance of bodily integrity, even in death. Her case highlights how death does not exempt one from bodily scrutiny and exploitation. Despite her wishes, she continues to be remembered as the "dumb blonde" lipstick-wearing sex pot portrayed onscreen.
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Monroe's legs were covered in a famous 1955 scene
In 1955, Marilyn Monroe covered her legs in a famous scene from the film The Seven Year Itch. In the scene, Monroe, playing "the Girl," and her co-star Tom Ewell, playing "Richard Sherman," exit a theatre in New York City and walk past a subway grate. When a subway train passes below, a breeze lifts Monroe's white dress, exposing her legs. The scene was originally scheduled to be shot on location at 1:00 am, but due to crowds of fans, it was later reshot on a set at 20th Century Fox.
The leg-baring moment has been called one of the iconic images of the 20th century. Images of Monroe in her white dress have been emulated in numerous films, including The Woman in Red (1984), Shrek 2 (2004), Blades of Glory (2007), and The House Bunny (2008). The famous white dress has also inspired red-carpet fashion, such as the white Marc Bouwer dress worn by Angelina Jolie to the 76th Academy Awards.
The scene has been referred to as the "flying skirt" scene, and it has been noted for the screaming crowds that gathered to watch it being filmed. The scene was originally shot on Lexington Avenue in New York City outside the Trans-Lux 52nd Street Theatre, but due to the loud crowds, it had to be re-shot on a set.
Monroe's husband at the time, Joe DiMaggio, is said to have "hated" the dress. However, it has become a popular element of Monroe's legacy, with images of her in the dress being featured in many posthumous depictions of the actress.
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Other celebrities who have insured body parts
While it is unclear whether Marilyn Monroe insured her legs, celebrities have been insuring body parts since the 1930s. Performers used to insure themselves against injury on set. Here are some celebrities who have insured various body parts:
Bette Davis
Bette Davis was at the forefront of the body insurance trend. She insured her waist for $28,000 in the 1940s, fearing that weight gain would harm her career. This amount is equivalent to about $550,000 today.
Cyd Charisse
Legendary actress and dancer Cyd Charisse, known for her roles in "Singin' in the Rain" and "Brigadoon," insured her legs in the 1940s.
Heidi Klum
Model Heidi Klum insured her legs for $2 million. However, due to a small scar on her left leg, one leg was worth $200,000 less than the other.
Rihanna
After receiving Gillette's Venus Breeze Celebrity Legs of a Goddess award, Rihanna promptly insured her legs for $1 million.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian, known for her backside, reportedly has a $21 million insurance policy on her derrière, with $10.5 million coverage per cheek. Interestingly, it was her then-fiancé, Kanye West, who initiated the policy, believing her butt needed protection.
Kylie Minogue
Singer Kylie Minogue has insured her derrière for $4.4 million, embracing a sexier image in the early 2000s.
JLo
Singer and actress JLo has also insured her derrière, though the amount is not mentioned.
Daniel Craig
Actor Daniel Craig reportedly insured his entire body for $9.5 million.
David Beckham
Footballer David Beckham has insured his legs for a staggering $195 million.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no evidence that Marilyn Monroe insured her legs. However, she was a top-billed actress and her image was synonymous with the sexual revolution of the 1950s and 1960s.
Celebrities insure their body parts as a way to protect their income. If a celebrity's body is their livelihood, any drastic changes or damage to their physical image could have consequences for their career.
Celebrities have been insuring body parts since the 1930s when the Hollywood movie musical gained popularity. Performers used to insure themselves against injury on set.
Kylie Minogue, who has a Marilyn Monroe-like persona, insured her butt for $4.4 million. Dancer Cyd Charisse insured her legs in the 1940s, and musician Jimmy Durante insured his nose during the height of his popularity.
