It is hard to overestimate the global impact the death of Marilyn Monroe had. It rivaled that of Diana and was controversial for many of the same reasons: A mix of sex, power, beauty and intrigue. Marylin was one of the most photographed people on the planet at the time when the impact of the 7/7 24/24 media machine on the individuals targeted was just becoming apparent. Bert Stern was not to know that these would be the last photographs, apart from the forensic photographs taken during the investigation of her death on the 4th August 1962.
http://marilynmonroe.com/history/