On August 5, 1962, iconic sex symbol Marilyn Monroe died, but the Hollywood star never left the spotlight.

Monroe is making headlines again as the last-ever photos taken before her death are set to be auctioned at Bonhams next month. The photos of Marilyn depict her topless, and were taken in a photo shoot six weeks before her untimely death.

At the time of the shoot Monroe was 36-years-old. The actress was photographed by Bert Stern in a session called The Last Sitting, reported the Daily Mail. Stern's three-day photo shoot with Monroe was initially supposed to run in Vogue magazine.

The photos of Monroe show her happy and smiling. In one photo Monroe is smiling with beads draped across her chest and a glass in hand. Other photos show her seductively lounging on a bed and playing with a transparent scarf.

This is a very popular set, said Bonham's Judith Eurich. It is unusual to find a whole set and the owner has had them since they were printed.

She was very photogenic and knew how to seduce the camera and she enjoyed posing because it took her mind off things, Eurich continued.

Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Brentwood home on August 5, 1962. Her death was due to a sleeping pill overdose, and was ruled as a probable suicide. Marilyn had a fitting for her wedding gown the next day. She was supposed to remarry baseball star Joe Dimaggio on August 8.

According to the Daily Mail, even with discoloration, the photos are expected to reach over £15,000 or over $24,000.

To see the topless photos of Marilyn Monroe up for auction click here.

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