On August 5, 1962, the world was shocked by the news of Marilyn Monroe’s death. Found in her Los Angeles home, the iconic actress was just 36 years old. The initial reports pointed to a probable suicide due to a drug overdose, but the circumstances surrounding her death have fueled speculation and conspiracy theories for decades. So, How Did Marilyn Monroe Die, and what are the facts behind this tragic event?
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, Marilyn Monroe’s early life was far from glamorous. Her mother’s mental instability led to Norma Jeane spending her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage. At 16, she married James Dougherty, but the marriage ended after a few years as her career aspirations took hold. She began modeling in 1944 and by 1946, she had signed with 20th Century Fox, adopting the stage name Marilyn Monroe. After some initial minor roles and a return to modeling, including a famous nude photoshoot in 1949, Monroe’s career began to gain momentum.
Her breakthrough came in 1950 with small but attention-grabbing roles in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve. Audiences were captivated by her beauty and screen presence, leading to a new contract with Fox. The early 1950s saw her star rise rapidly with roles in films like Love Nest (1951), Monkey Business (1952), and Niagara (1953). Monroe became an international sensation, celebrated for her voluptuous figure and innocent charm. She solidified her sex symbol status in classics such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), and There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954). The Seven Year Itch (1955) further showcased her comedic talent, featuring the unforgettable scene with the billowing white dress.
Her personal life was equally scrutinized. Her marriage to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio in 1954 generated immense media attention, but it lasted only nine months. In 1956, she married playwright Arthur Miller, seeking to deepen her acting skills and move beyond her “blonde bombshell” image. She studied at the Actors Studio in New York City with Lee Strasberg and delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Bus Stop (1956). However, her later films, including The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) with Laurence Olivier, were less successful critically. Some Like It Hot (1959) was a major hit, but her final completed film, The Misfits (1961), written by Miller, coincided with the end of their marriage.
By 1961, Marilyn Monroe was battling depression and was under psychiatric care. In the last months of her life, she became increasingly isolated in her Brentwood home. The events of her final day, August 4, 1962, and the early hours of August 5th, are pieced together from accounts and investigations. Around midnight on August 5th, her maid, Eunice Murray, noticed light from Monroe’s bedroom. Unable to get a response and finding the door locked, Murray called Monroe’s psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson. Dr. Greenson entered the room by breaking a window and found Marilyn Monroe dead. Police were called soon after.
The subsequent autopsy revealed a lethal amount of sedatives in her system. Empty pill bottles, prescribed to treat her depression, were found in the room. The Los Angeles Police Department concluded that her death was caused by a “self-administered overdose of sedative drugs” and ruled it a “probable suicide.” This official finding became the widely accepted explanation for how Marilyn Monroe died.
However, the “probable suicide” ruling has not been without controversy. Over the years, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged, suggesting foul play. Many of these theories center around her alleged affairs with President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy. The theories posit that the Kennedys, fearing exposure of their relationships and potentially sensitive information Monroe possessed, had her murdered or orchestrated her death to look like a suicide. It’s been documented that Robert Kennedy was in Los Angeles on August 4, 1962, the day before her death. Decades later, Eunice Murray, Monroe’s housekeeper, made statements suggesting Robert Kennedy had visited and argued with Monroe on the night of her death, further fueling the conspiracy narratives. The reliability of Murray’s accounts, particularly years after the event, has been questioned, and no credible evidence has ever surfaced to definitively prove murder.
Despite the lingering questions and conspiracy theories, the official cause of death remains probable suicide due to a drug overdose. Marilyn Monroe’s struggles with depression and mental health are well-documented, and the presence of prescription sedatives in her system supports the overdose conclusion. Whether it was intentional or accidental remains open to interpretation, but the tragic loss of such a bright star is undeniable.
Decades after her death, Marilyn Monroe continues to be a global icon, her image and story endlessly fascinating. While the question of exactly how Marilyn Monroe died may never be definitively answered to everyone’s satisfaction, understanding the circumstances surrounding her death offers a glimpse into the pressures and vulnerabilities faced even by Hollywood’s brightest stars.
