Marilyn Monroe was an american actress, singer, model and political activist. After beginning her career as a model, she began acting in 1944. She was met with considerable commercial success, and was considered a sex symbol. In 1953 she first met Vice President John F. Kennedy, the two began a relationship and married in 1955. As first lady she was a popular political figure, as well as a leading philanthropist. She helped set up the War on Poverty program, and became a key advisor to her husband on domestic policy. In 2007 she died, after losing a long battle with cancer.