Marilyn Monroe: Sexiest Woman Alive or Dead

The sexiest woman alive was Marilyn Monroe. The sexiest woman of legend is Marilyn Monroe. Men's taste in women varies greatly and so the sexiest woman alive for any one man naturally subscribes to his personal vision. But legions of men- and women- will agree that the sexiest woman of all time was and is Marilyn Monroe, alive and in death. If the legions of mixed-gender fans collectively created a list raving of the reasons why this is so, they might miss one essential factor.

The list of attributes exemplifying why Marilyn Monroe was the sexiest woman alive and why her memory makes her the sexiest woman in legend would include the following- the platinum carefully-coiffed hair with the widow's peak hairline, the sultry heart-shaped face with a beauty mark and artful makeup; the dreamy water-nymph eyes and parted kissing lips; the pale silken skin that cameras adored; the accentuated full and pointed breasts; the sinuous figure of sensuous curves that she kept in shape by jogging; the sexy walk with swaying hips. Also listed would be her breathy bedroom voice and presumed little-girl vulnerability. But would the list mention this essential factor- her dazzling sense of humor?

In the classic film Let's Make Love (with Yves Montand) and in many others of her romantic comedies, Marilyn Monroe played the stereotypical dumb blonde- but with underlying steely wit and brilliant intellect, which exposed her natural comedic flair. She fully understood comedy and expressed it in her voice intonations and body language using a broad range- from subtly making insinuations and movements to outrageously throwing out lines and flaunting her sexy moves.

A genius actress who had full range of acting ability, Marilyn played comedy with exquisite timing and delivery. And, as with her dramatic roles, she also played comedy with that saucy awareness of the powerful potency of her sexuality and its effect on men- and on gay women, as well as on the heterosexual women who wanted to emulate her. Her beauty lit up the screen but her great presence and genius maintained audience attention. And it is this beautiful intangible essence that is/was Marilyn that keeps alive the gorgeous icon of platinum-blonde Marilyn Monroe- and makes her the sexiest woman for all time.

Who created Marilyn Monroe the superstar? Not Hollywood and its denizens. It takes a mastermind to create the enduring worldwide superstar that Marilyn became. And Marilyn was the mastermind. Elton John sang of her, "I would have liked to have known you... but I was just a kid." To have known her would have been to have loved her. And many men would loved to have loved her.