“Fame is like caviar, you know – it’s good to have caviar but not when you have it at every meal.”
- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“Fame is like caviar, you know – it’s good to have caviar but not when you have it at every meal.”
Explanation
With this witty and insightful analogy, Marilyn Monroe compares fame to an indulgence—something rich and appealing, but overwhelming in excess. By likening it to caviar, a symbol of luxury, she acknowledges that fame can be pleasurable, even intoxicating, but only in moderation. The warning comes in the second half of the quote: “not when you have it at every meal,” suggesting that constant exposure to fame can become monotonous, burdensome, or even distasteful over time.
Monroe understood better than most the double-edged nature of celebrity. While it brought her admiration and success, it also robbed her of privacy, authenticity, and peace. Her metaphor subtly critiques the unrelenting nature of public attention, highlighting how something seemingly enviable can become a source of emotional exhaustion when it’s unceasing.
In today’s era of constant visibility through social media and celebrity culture, this quote feels more relevant than ever. It reminds us that even the most glamorous experiences lose their joy when they become relentless expectations. Monroe’s words call for balance, and point to the idea that life’s richest pleasures—including recognition—are most meaningful when they are occasional, not obligatory.
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