The year 2026 marked the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's birth; certainly an occasion for numerous special editions worldwide. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, the actress remains one of the most famous figures in film history. With classics ranging from 'Niagara' and 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' (1953) to 'Some Like It Hot' (1959) and 'The Misfits' (1961), she became a global star. In addition to her acting career, Marilyn Monroe was also a singer, producer, and successful model. Her untimely death on August 4, 1962, cemented her status as a pop culture legend.
Few film actresses worldwide have been honored on postage stamps as frequently as Marilyn Monroe. In the realm of thematic philately, she is among the most popular film stars of all time. To date alone, more than 270 stamp sets and blocks featuring her portrait or mention have been issued – and the number continues to rise.
Since the 1970s
Marilyn Monroe's image first appeared in international philately in the 1970s. Among the early issues is a stamp from Mali from 1970 (MiNr. 237). It depicts Marilyn Monroe alongside film pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumière and actress Jean Harlow, paying tribute to important figures in film history.
A year later, Kongo-Brazzaville followed with a four-part set entitled "History of Film" and sought-after early film motifs from Africa. Marilyn Monroe is represented on this set with her own stamp (MiNr. 278).
A particularly extensive issue was issued in 1972 by the then Emirate of Fujairah. The set of 20 stamps features international film stars from Clark Gable and James Dean to Sharon Tate. Marilyn Monroe is represented by stamp number 1139.
From the 1990s onwards, MM's presence on postage stamps increased significantly. Since the turn of the millennium, the number of new issues has practically exploded: Between 2000 and 2026, according to MICHEL Online catalog lists more than 200 stamp sets featuring Marilyn Monroe.
Even a century after her birth, Marilyn Monroe continues to fascinate collectors and film enthusiasts alike. Her postage stamps impressively document how an extraordinary actress became a global symbol of glamour, cinema, and pop culture.
As the first registered Michel-Number in the anniversary year, Belgium's MiNr. 5431 appeared from the self-adhesive die-cut booklet of ten stamps 'Pop Art' dated April 11, 2026: six times Marilyn Monroe from the legendary painting series by Andy Warhol.
Michael Burzan, AIJP
