By Maverick
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1st, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, was an American actress, model, and singer who became one of the most iconic symbols of the 20th century. Her life, though tragically short, was a journey from a challenging childhood to global superstardom, marked by both dazzling success and profound personal struggles.
Norma Jeane’s early years were difficult, spent in and out of orphanages and foster homes due to her mother’s mental health issues. She married at the age of 16 to escape her circumstances. While working in a factory during World War II, she was discovered by a photographer, leading to a successful career as a pin-up model. It was during this period that she changed her name to Marilyn Monroe, dyed her hair platinum blonde, and began cultivating the persona that would become legendary.
Monroe’s captivating beauty and undeniable charisma quickly caught the attention of Hollywood studios. After small roles, she gained significant recognition in the early 1950s with films like The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and All About Eve (1950). She starred in a string of highly successful films, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), where her performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” became iconic; How to Marry a Millionaire (1953); and The Seven Year Itch (1955), which famously featured the subway grate scene that cemented her status as a sex symbol.
Despite her public image, her tumultuous personal life was a different story. She was in high-profile marriages with people like baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller, both of which ended in divorce. She also reportedly had affairs with powerful and influential men, including President John F. Kennedy. Marilyn Monroe passed away on August 4th, 1962, at the age of 36. Her passing was officially ruled a “probable suicide” due to a barbiturate overdose. However, the circumstances surrounding her death have fueled decades of controversial speculation and numerous conspiracy theories.
Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Brentwood, California home by her psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, in the early hours of August 5th. Her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, was also present. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) investigated, and the county coroner, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, performed the autopsy. The official report concluded that Monroe died from acute barbiturate poisoning, likely self-administered. Empty bottles of Nembutal, which acts as a depressant and sedative to treat insomnia, and chloral hydrate, also a sedative used to treat sleep disorders, were found near her bed.
Despite the official ruling, many factors led skeptics to believe she was murdered. Perhaps the most persistent conspiracy theory links Marilyn Monroe’s death to her alleged affairs with President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated not long after she died. Proponents of this theory suggest Monroe knew too much about the Kennedys’ secrets, including political dealings, mob connections, and even classified information. She allegedly threatened to expose them. This theory often posits that the Kennedys, or their operatives, orchestrated her murder to silence her. It’s not known if JFK, RFK, or both planned her death. Some versions suggest a forced overdose, while others claim she was injected with a fatal dose of drugs. Monroe’s alleged diary, which some claim contained explosive information about the Kennedys, is often mentioned, though its existence and contents remain unconfirmed. The timing of her death, shortly after her perceived abandonment by the Kennedys, also fuels this theory. It is said the mob allegedly tied to the Kennedys had her killed.
A more elaborate theory implicates the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Go figure. They always seemed to be involved in something nefarious. This theory suggests Monroe stumbled upon sensitive information related to the CIA’s anti-Castro operations, possibly through her connections with the Kennedys or other influential figures. She was then eliminated to prevent a national security breach. Again, these are just theories, but it’s worth covering because of how suddenly she passed. It should also be known that Marilyn struggled with dependency on barbiturates, amphetamines, and alcohol for several years before her death in 1962. If she were murdered, this would’ve been the ideal cover story to shut people’s minds to the truth.
Then are there are other conspiracy theories that point to a cover-up by those closest to Monroe, including her psychiatrist, Dr. Greenson, and her housekeeper, Eunice Murray. This theory suggests they may have been complicit in administering a fatal dose, either intentionally or accidentally, and then altered the scene to look like a suicide to avoid scandal or legal repercussions. There are alleged inconsistencies in their testimonies, and the handling of the crime scene is often cited as evidence. For instance, the original toxicology report noted no drug capsules or residue in her stomach, leading some to believe the drugs were administered via enema or injection. This could be the smoking gun because of that fact, but this happened over 60 years ago now, and all the alleged conspirators are themselves deceased as well.
Despite numerous investigations and countless books, definitive new evidence proving a conspiracy has been elusive. However, some aspects continue to spark debate, such as the disappearance of certain phone records from Monroe’s home around the time of her death, which has fueled suspicion. Also, some individuals connected to the case later retracted or altered their statements, adding to the confusion.
Furthermore, while the official cause was a drug overdose, the lack of needle marks (if injected) or significant pill residue in her stomach (if ingested orally) has been questioned by some medical experts over the years. Then you also have heavily redacted FBI files released decades later that offer no conclusive proof of murder but show the agency’s interest in Monroe’s communist connections and political leanings, particularly her association with left-leaning individuals.
Marilyn Monroe’s tragic death remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring mysteries, next to someone like Elvis Presley, who also has a copious amount of controversy surrounding his untimely death. The blend of celebrity, power, and untimely demise continues to make it fertile ground for speculation, ensuring that the conspiracy theories surrounding her will likely persist for generations to come. Please share your thoughts in the comment section. Be well.
