“Fame may go by and – so long, I’ve had you.”
- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“Fame may go by and – so long, I’ve had you.”
Explanation
This quote reveals Marilyn Monroe’s bittersweet awareness of fame’s fleeting nature, paired with a reflective tone of gratitude or resignation. The phrase “fame may go by” acknowledges the temporary and unpredictable nature of public recognition, a truth Monroe understood all too well. Despite her enormous success, she remained deeply conscious that stardom is not permanent, nor fully within one’s control.
The second half—“so long, I’ve had you”—reads like a parting nod to fame itself, almost as if she’s speaking to it directly. There is no bitterness in her words, but rather a wistful farewell, as one might say goodbye to a companion whose presence was intense but unsustainable. Monroe doesn’t beg fame to stay; instead, she accepts that she had her moment, however complex or painful, and is ready to let it go if it must.
In the context of modern celebrity culture, this quote carries a timeless resonance. It reminds us that fame is not ownership, but an experience—often dazzling, often isolating, and always impermanent. Monroe’s words encourage a view of success that is grateful yet detached, suggesting that true peace comes not from clinging to recognition, but from understanding its nature and letting it pass with grace.
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