Marilyn Monroe, Eleanor Roosevelt, Coco Chanel, and other famous women faced significant hardships early in life but went on to great success. Marilyn Monroe lived in 11 foster homes after her mother was institutionalized. Eleanor Roosevelt's mother died when she was young and her father was an alcoholic. Coco Chanel came from a poor family with a mother who died of tuberculosis. Their early struggles did not prevent them from becoming world renowned figures.