Marilyn Monroe was a beautiful blonde bombshell actress beloved by millions in the late 50’s. Monroe was probably the most famous sex symbol to ever live, and she was probably the most controversial one, too. On August 5, 1963, a tragedy shocked the nation. The blonde bombshell was found dead lying naked on her bed with empty pill bottles scattered around her bedroom (“Marilyn Monroe Is Found Dead”). Did the actress beloved by millions overdose and commit suicide due to her suspected depression or did someone else possibly have ill will against poor Marilyn? Who would try to plan to kill the beloved actress and why? Well, here is a list of theories that have been proposed through the decades since the fatal date of August 5, 1963: Monroe committed suicide, Robert Kennedy killed Marilyn to cover up the affair she had with President Kennedy, or the CIA killed Marilyn Monroe (Carli). Let’s explore the different theories of how this famous movie star mysteriously died.
Marilyn Monroe was a beautiful blonde known for her sex appeal. Monroe was a widely famous actress in the 1950s and early 1960’s. She had short blonde hair and a perfect hourglass figure. Marilyn was not afraid to be sexy in a time where being sexy was shameful, but she changed the game. She was sexy but still got respect. She craved attention and attention she got. It was never hard to miss to the Monroe, she was very showy. Monroe began as an unknown model and became one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. She was an iconic representation of the Hollywood fairytale. Every man wanted to date her and every woman wanted to be her. But before, gorgeous Monroe became a national sensation she went through a dark past (“Marilyn Monroe Biography.com.”1).
Marilyn Monroe was neglected as a child and often gave the description of her childhood as “loveless”(“Marilyn Monroe Biography.com.”1). Monroe grew up without a father and partially without a mother too (1).Monroe never knew her father and would often fantasy who her father could Be (1). There were many theories of who her father was, an example would be Clark Gable, but it was proven false like all the rest of them, so until the very end she never did find out who her father was (1). Monroe lived with her mom until she was seven, which is when her mother was hospitalized for a paranoid disorder which resulted in her hopping from foster home to foster home (1).She was said to have often been sexual and physical abuse in foster care, which left and a big emotional scar on Marilyn (1).”They say you soon forget the bad things in your life and only remember the good ones. Well, maybe for others it is that way, but not for me...¨ as quoted by Marilyn Monroe (1). Monroe, her original name Norma Jean, lived in two different foster homes and lived with her mom in between them before her mother had another emotional breakdown, which resulted in her going back to the asylum (1). Monroe then had to go back into the foster system for which she was with a new family for five years before they had to move (1).Since Marilyn knew at a young age she wanted to be on the silver screen, she did not want to leave Los Angeles (1). The only way to stay was marriage (1).
Her childhood was not the only thing in her life where she felt neglected or not loved in her relationships as well. At sixteen, Marilyn Monroe was married to her next-door neighbor Jimmy and dropped out of high school (“Marilyn Monroe Biography.com.”1). It was a short-lived marriage that lasted due to her husband going into the army and that the marriage was boring (1).In her marriage, Marilyn was a housewife, which did not sit well with Monroe ("Marilyn Monroe Biography: Success Story of Film Actress and Model”1). She once said about her marriage, “Marriage didn’t make me sad, but it didn’t make me happy, either. My husband and I hardly spoke to each other. This was not because we were angry. We had nothing to say. I was dying from boredom” (1). Another cause of her marriage failing is said to be because of her fast-growing career their marriage started to crumble (1). Before her divorce, Marilyn had already changed her name and started ad successful career in modeling(1). She started focusing more on her career (“Marilyn Monroe Biography.com.”1). The year of her boring marriage divorce turned out to be the year she finally made her big time acting debut(1). In 1946 was when Monroe decided to sign her first movie deal (1). Since then she dyed her hair blonde and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe that is how the iconic Marilyn came to be(1). Marilyn Monroe first started in no talking roles like being a dancer, but that did not stop her (1). Marilyn stopped at nothing to achieve her dreams (1).
Marilyn was clever; she soon started befriending all of the studio reporters at 20th-
Century Fox where she worked (Doll1). She would do favors for them all the time, even posing for them in the cold of November in a not so decent bathing suit (1). The reporters adored her saying she was a good sport and a good story; they adored her so much that in 1948 she was awarded ¨Miss Press Club¨ (1). One of the many reporters who cherished Marilyn was Skolsky (1). Skolsky was a big-time reporter, who could make or break an actor or actress, said¨It was clear that Marilyn was prepared to work hard to improve herself; she wanted to be an actress and a movie star. I knew nothing would stop her” (1). The drive and determination and need inside Marilyn could not be halted¨ (1).She did a lot of acting classes and was an extra in many films but most of them are said to be buffs (1). Her very minimum and small speaking roles in Fox did not end in her favor because Fox soon decided to let her go (1).Soon after being let go, she started acting in a theater and tried to perfect her acting skills till she was picked up by Columbia Pictures, but her career did not really take off till the 1950s (1).
Marilyn had many hardships in the beginning of her journey to become the legend she is today, but she never gave up and soon her break happened and career took off (“Marilyn Monroe Biography.com.”1). The 1950ś was a big year for Monroe. She was offered a small part in John Huston´s crime drama “The Asphalt Jungle” and starred in “All about Eve”, as Claudia Caswell, which gave her lots of attention from audiences and critics (1). Along with many more roles adding attention to her name, Marilyn also got a 7-year contract with 20th-Century Fox (1). As her image started being produced on covers, more audiences became interested in Marilyn (1). She was loved and became symbolized as a dumb blonde in many comedies, such as “Weŕe not married” in 1952 (which is the year her acting career really took off),” Monkey Business”, and many others (1). In 1953 was the year Marilyn Monroe finally achieve her dream of superstardom starring in the film “Niagara” (1). Since that legendary film that shot her stardom (Niagara), Monroe became an international star known for her luxurious figure and beauty (“Marilyn”1). But even in her mist of stardom, Monroe started to have an anxiety issue and reach caused her to be tardy in productions (1). She soon became known for this and was dropped from many productions, such as “Something’s Got to Give” starring Dean Martin, but was dropped from missing too many days (1). One of her directors, Billy Wilder, once said “She would be the greatest if she ran like a watch. I have an Aunt Minnie who’s very punctual, but who would pay to see Aunt Minnie?” (1).
Due to the mysterious and tragic death of Marilyn Monroe, there have been many conspiracies revolved around the actress’s death (Carli1). The most popular theories are she was killed my by Robert Kennedy to cover up the affair, the CIA murdered her, or that she committed suicide (1)
The first conspiracy is that Robert Kennedy murdered Marilyn Monroe due to their alleged their affair (Vultaggio 1). This conspiracy is by far the most popular conspiracy to date revolving around Marilyn Monroe's death or at least had a hand in her death (1). Marilyn supposedly was having affairs with both of Robert Kennedy and his brother (1). In the book “The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed the author Jay Margolis says the alleged murder of Monroe was orchestrated by Robert Kennedy, his brother, and Peter Lawford, after Monroe threaten to realize their secrets (1) .”Bobby Kennedy was determined to shut her up, regardless of the consequences, “ (1). Peter Lawford said after Monroe’s death. “It was the craziest thing he has ever done and I was crazy enough to let it happen” (1). Peter Lawford was said to have felt guilty about Marilyn’s death which is why he made this statement (1).
If Kennedy killed Marilyn Monroe how did he kill her? Most conspiracists believe she was murdered by giving her a lethal injection via enema (Vultaggio 1). There were no traces of pills found her stomach discovered by her autopsy and in her bedroom, there was no drink for her to swallow the pills with (1). There also was not any vomit which is usually what happens if people overdose (1). Philippe Mora, a film director, supposedly uncovered FBI file from 1964 which was a plot with Robert Kennedy’s knowledge to induce Monroe to commit suicide because to was a threat to national security (Mallia1). Marilyn Monroe’s handyman, Norman Jefferies, is said to have been there the night Monroe died watching tv when Robert Kennedy and two men dressed in suits came in and told him and the Mrs. Murry (the housemaid) to leave (How Did Marilyn Monroe Really Die?). They went to the neighbor’s house and were there for twenty minutes till they saw JFK drive off and then they returned to the house (How Did Marilyn Monroe Really Die?). Upon returning they went to the guest cottage and they found Marilyn comatose on the bed and her file cabinet had been searched through (How Did Marilyn Monroe Really Die?). This eyewitness testimony could not be proven due to the fact that the eyewitness testimonies were constantly changing and not enough evidence (“The Death of Marilyn Monroe.”).
The reason this conspiracy theory is debunked is because for one thing, people believe that the Kennedy’s injected a lethal injection via enema, but it was disapproved due to the fact in the autopsy there was no sign of injection in the system (“The Death of Marilyn Monroe.” 1). Another theory that was disproven was that the Kennedys and two men came to her house and killed her in the guest cottage and was found on her back (1). This theory was debunked due to no sign of struggle (bruising, scratches, etc.) and she could not have died on her back or there would have been bruising and blood veins showing and it was not it was showing on her face (1). Over the years Kennedy’s have been the main speculation of Monroe’s death, but there is not enough evidence to prove the Kennedys killed Monroe (How Did Marilyn Monroe Really Die?).
The second famous conspiracy is that the CIA murdered Marilyn. In “Victim: The Secret Tapes of Marilyn Monroe,” Matthew Smith says that depression among other things was under a watchful eye of a psychiatrist (Wilkins1). Recently in Norfolk, Virginia a seventy-eight-year-old retired CIA agent, Norman Hodges, claims he committed thirty-seven assassinations for the organization one of them being Monroe. He said,” The CIA had its own agenda” (Caroline1). He and his team of five members were part of an operative call that carried out assassinations for the CIA (1). Hodges claims that Marilyn Monroe was a threat to the security of the country and needed to be eliminated (1). He said they had evidence of her affairs and that his commanding officer said her death had to look like an overdose or suicide (1). He said that he did it for his country and that she could have given away priceless intel about the country (1). Hodges was taken by the FBI for a full investigation into this serious matter (1).
Another suspicious thing about the CIA,was August 3, 1962, a CIA document written a day before Monroe’s death says that high ranking government officials were in a state of extreme anxiety over the fact that the Kennedy brothers were telling government secrets to Marilyn, and that she was writing all of them down in her red diary, which by the way is still missing to this day (Caroline1). The reason this conspiracy theory is disproved is that for one thing, people believe that they injected a lethal injection via enema, but it was disapproved due to the fact in the autopsy there was no sign of injection in the system (“The Death of Marilyn Monroe.”).
Another theory that was disproven was that two men came to her house and killed her in the guest cottage and was found on her back (“The Death of Marilyn Monroe.”). Just like the first conspiracy, there is a lot of theories and suspicious activity but again not enough evidence to prove that this conspiracy theory is true (Caroline1).
The third conspiracy theory is the most disliked and lesser- believed theory of her death which is that Marilyn took her own life and committed suicide (Vultaggio 1). Monroe had been depressed and distressed for several weeks before her fatal death. On more than one occasion when Monroe was feeling distressed she had disappeared and had made several suicide attempts but we're all stopped (1). In her last few attempts just like this one, she had used sedatives (Mallia1). Marilyn was supposedly depressed after dealing with calls about her relationship with RFK (1). Monroe seemed drugged through the evening and in poor spirits during that evening, said Joe DiMaggio son he had spoken to her after 7:00 pm that night (How Did Marilyn Monroe Really Die?). On that night this theory states that Marilyn Monroe took a lethal dose of sedatives (1). In her autopsy, it had indicated that it was probable suicide and no investigation took place (1).
By 1961, Monroe because of her struggle with depression among other things was under a watchful eye of a psychiatrist (How Did Marilyn Monroe Really Die?). During the last few months of her life, it became erratic and she lived as a recluse in her Brentwood home (1). Right before her death, Marilyn had also locked the door something she said to never do before taking the sedatives (“The Death of Marilyn Monroe.”). Her locking the door showed a sign to experts that it was not an accidental overdose not just because the amount she took but also because the signs like locking the door, filling up her drug prescription days before when she had plenty, taking all the drugs at once, and that she had tried to kill herself before with these methods (“The Death of Marilyn Monroe.”). Even though there is such little evidence to this theory since and it being the least popular theory of them all this one does actually have the most supporting evidence and facts because this was ruled her death (1).
On August 5, 1963, the beloved actress Marilyn Monroe died from an overdose, but how? Did the actress commit suicide, due to her mental illnesses or did someone murder, Marilyn? The top three conspiracies revolving Moroeś death was: Marilyn Monroe killed herself, the Kennedys killed Monroe, and that the CIA murdered Marilyn. Most of the research was about Kennedys murdering Marilyn and even the polls that were taken people were more towards the theory that JFK was involved in Marilyn Monroeś death. After researching this conspiracy the conclusion that has been made that Marilyn Monroe committed suicide due to the supporting evidence found in researching her conspiracy theory.
Work Cited
Doll, Susan. “Marilyn Monroe's Early Career.” Howstuffworks, 29 Aug. 2007,
entertainment.howstuffworks.com/marilyn-monroe-early-career.htm.
Howe, Caroline. "EXCLUSIVE - Bobby Kennedy Ordered Marilyn Monroe's Murder by Lethal Injection to Prevent Her from Revealing Her Torrid Affairs with RFK and JFK: New Book Sensationally Claims to Have Finally Solved the Mystery Surrounding Her Death." Daily Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 26 July 2015. Web. 27 Nov. 2017.
“How Did Marilyn Monroe Really Die?” Fox News, FOX News Network, www.foxnews.com/story/2009/07/27/how-did-marilyn-monroe-really-die.html.
"Marilyn Monroe Biography: Success Story of Film Actress and Model." Astrum People, (2017).
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“Marilyn Monroe Biography.com.” The Biography.com Website, A&E Television Networks,
“Marilyn Monroe Is Found Dead.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marilyn-monroe-is-found-dead.
“The Death of Marilyn Monroe.” YouTube, YouTube, 29 Sept. 2016, m.youtube.com/watch?v=LAol9C9NC5I.
Velocci, Carli. "7 Conspiracy Theories About Marilyn Monroe’s Death From Murderous Kennedys to UFOs." TheWrap. TheWrap, 01 June 2017. Web.
Vultaggio, Maria. "Marilyn Monroe Death Conspiracy Theories: How Did Norma Jean Die? [PHOTOS]." International Business Times. N.p., 30 May 2015. Web. 27 Nov. 2017.
Wilkins, Frank. "The Death of Marilyn Monroe." Reel Reviews - Official Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2017.
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