Saturday, September 5, 2026

Question: In 1948, the tiny farm town of Castroville, the self-proclaimed “Artichoke Capital of the World,” crowned its first Artichoke Queen, a young starlet who would become one of Hollywood’s biggest icons. Who was she?

Answer: Marilyn Monroe. The 22-year-old actress and model, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, was crowned Castroville’s Artichoke Queen years before becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars.