Marilyn Monroe: Lived up to 36
One of the most beautiful actresses ever, Marilyn Monroe was a rage in the 1950s. She was stunning and embodied innocence. She had a very unsettled childhood. She had a string of unsuccessful marriages and affairs including a rumoured one with charismatic US President John F Kennedy. Her first marriage was with childhood sweetheart Jimmy Dougherty in 1944. When Jimmy was away on assignment with the Merchant Marines, she was accidentally discovered by photographer David Conover and then began her initiation into the glamour world
Divya Bharti: Lived up to 19
She had everything going for her when she died in 1993 after a fall from her 5th floor apartment. Her death remains a mystery. Though many in film circles believe it was a suicide after a fight with husband Sajid Nadiadwalla, police could not come to any concrete conclusion.
James Dean: Lived up to 24
He was only 24 when he died in a high-speed car crash. In a very short span, James Dean, acted in three flicks - Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden, and Giant. The last two fetched him posthomous Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. A youth icon of his times, such is the charisma of Dean that even today, almost half a century after his death his legacy still endures.
Brittany Murphy: Lived up to 32
Having started her career in Hollywood at the tender age of 14, singer and actress Brittany Murphy acted in a spate of films like Clueless, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Don't Say a Word and Uptown Girls and was also a major in the television scene. Like many other starlets, Murphy too succumbed to wrong intake of prescription drugs
Madhubala: Lived up to 36
The ultimate beauty, Madhubala was to Bollywood what Marilyn Monroe was to Hollywood. Born as Mumtaz Begum Jehan Dehlavi in 1933 to a poor Pathan couple, Madhubala was one of 11 children. By virtue of sheer destiny, when her family relocatede from Delhi to Mumbai, Madhubala began her tryst with films. She was only 14. A so-far inert heart problem all but ended her successful run in 1950. Braving this problem and a very difficult father, she went on with her career for another 10 years. An much-publicised affair with thespian Dilip Kumar did not culminate in marriage leaving her broken-hearted. Marriage to actor Kishore Kumar happened in 1960.
Nafisa Joseph: Lived up to 25
A Miss India contest winner at just 17, Nafisa Joseph went on to host the popular MTV show for 5 years. The well-loved VJ and PETA activist had a great career ahead but unfortunately took a broken engagement with businessman Gautam Khanduja too hard and ended her life by hanging herself at her Mumbai flat.
Princess Diana: Lived up to 36
The most beautiful princess ever, the most photographed woman of her time, Diana's life was a contrast to her beauty. After a Fairy Tale Marriage that never was and a string of failed affairs, Diana's death in a car crash after a hot chase by paparazzi led to many questions being asked about the continued interference by snoopy press reporters in the lives of celebrities.
Heath Ledger: Lived up to 28
The actor best known for his superb roles in films like Brokeback Mountain, Casanova and The Dark Knight in which he essayed the role of The Joker to perfection, Ledger was found dead in his apartment reportedly due to intake of a medley of prescription drugs.
Anna Nicole Smith: Lived up to 37
Anna Nicole Smith aka Vickie Lynn Marshall, shot to fame overnight after her appearance on the Playboy cover in May 1992. Though she went on to became a successful model and TV personality her personal life was not as much alluring. She married first at 17 and later went on to marry tycoon J Howard Marshall who was 63 years older to her. She died at age 37 apparently owing to drug overdose and an overwhelming depression after the death of her 20-year-old son. At the time of her death she was also involved in a court case over Marshall's property.
