The 50 Most Fascinating Rumors About Marilyn Monroe

All the attempts to fill in the gaps of the legend's life.

marilyn monroe
(Image credit: Baron)
By Bridget Dufour, Bridget Burns
published

Marilyn Monroe defied all kinds of social norms (opens in new tab) during her lifetime, especially when it came to society's expectations for women. Her unique identity fascinated the world, but also generated enormous criticism. While she was in the spotlight, much of her life remained secret. The public was obsessed with filling in the gaps, and people are still trying to put the missing pieces of her story together. Here, some of the craziest rumors about the icon.

1/50
That Marilyn Monroe and JFK Hooked Up at Frank Sinatra's Guest House
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Monroe and JFK Hooked Up at Frank Sinatra's Guest House

Apparently some believe that Marilyn Monroe and JFK frequented Frank Sinatra's guest house, which was allegedly called the "sex shack."

2/50
That Marilyn Thought JFK Was Bad in Bed
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Thought JFK Was Bad in Bed

While it is true JFK was pretty busy with presidential duties, some believe his stress level affected his performance. In his book titled, The Final Years of Marilyn Monroe: The Shocking True Story, Keith Badman credits Marilyn for the claim that JFK "made love like an adolescent."

3/50
That Marilyn Called Jackie Kennedy About Her Affair with JFK
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Called Jackie Kennedy About Her Affair with JFK

Some like to foster the rumor that Marilyn called Jackie to inform her that JFK was going to leave Jackie for her. In Christopher Andersen's new book, These Few Precious Days: The Final Year of Jack with Jackie, apparently Jackie responded, "Marilyn, you'll marry Jack, that's great…and you'll move into the White House and you'll assume the responsibilities of first lady, and I'll move out and you'll have all the problems."

4/50
That Marilyn Was Killed by the Mafia
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was Killed by the Mafia

When it comes to Marilyn's death, there are a million rumors circulating. Some believe that Bobby Kennedy commissioned members of the mafia to kill Marilyn.

5/50
That Marilyn Participated in a Sex Tape
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Participated in a Sex Tape

Gallery owner and memorabilia collector Keya Morgan claims that he possesses a sex tape involving Marilyn and JFK.

6/50
That Marilyn Had a Threesome with JFK and RFK
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Had a Threesome with JFK and RFK

William Castleberry claims another sex tape featuring this threesome exists. Apparently it was going to be auctioned off, but Castleberry decided against it after a debt was allegedly paid off.

7/50
That Marilyn Had a Nose Job
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Had a Nose Job

Some subscribe to the belief that Marilyn had rhinoplasty. They don't think she had a full nose job, however, and instead just had a bit removed.

8/50
That Marilyn Had Her Hairline Reduced
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Had Her Hairline Reduced

Some claim that Marilyn underwent eloctrolysis in order to fix her widow's peak.

9/50
That Marilyn Had a Boob Job
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Had a Boob Job

The Hollywood classic? The rumor is that Marilyn received silicone breast implants.

11/50
That Marilyn Had False Teeth
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Had False Teeth

In 2015, the rumor that Marilyn had fake teeth started circulating, believing that it was even mentioned in her autopsy report.

12/50
That Marilyn Was killed by the CIA
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was killed by the CIA

Some believe that Marilyn was killed by CIA agents to prevent her from exposing information. The information? JFK apparently told her that aliens had been discovered.

13/50
That Bobby Kennedy and Marilyn Were Really Together
(Image credit: Getty)

That Bobby Kennedy and Marilyn Were Really Together

If it wasn't apparent by now, many believe that Marilyn was not only with JFK, but RFK as well. This rumor started circulating in the 1960's, and is still alive today.

14/50
That Bobby Kennedy Was Going to Leave His Wife and Kids for Marilyn
(Image credit: Getty)

That Bobby Kennedy Was Going to Leave His Wife and Kids for Marilyn

Some believed so fully in their relationship, that they fostered the claim that Bobby told Marilyn he would leave his family for her.

15/50
That JFK and RFK's Sister Supported the Affair
(Image credit: Getty)

That JFK and RFK's Sister Supported the Affair

Apparently Jean Kennedy Smith expressed her support of their relationship. In a letter that resurfaced in the last couple years, she allegedly wrote, "I understand that you and Bobby are the new item! We all think you should come with him when he comes back East!"

16/50
That Marilyn Knew All of the Kennedy's Secrets
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Knew All of the Kennedy's Secrets

Some claim that Marilyn kept a little red book in which she chronicled all the famous family's secrets.

17/50
That Bobby Kennedy Killed Marilyn
(Image credit: Getty)

That Bobby Kennedy Killed Marilyn

Some proponents of the previous theory subscribe to the belief that Bobby killed Marilyn and staged the death as an overdose due to the fact that she knew too much.

18/50
That Joe DiMaggio Planned to Kill RFK
(Image credit: Getty)

That Joe DiMaggio Planned to Kill RFK

Some believe that Joe DiMaggio (Marilyn's husband during the time of her alleged affair with RFK) figured out about the affair and planned to killed Bobby.

19/50
That Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio Were Dating After Their Divorce
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio Were Dating After Their Divorce

After their divorce, Monroe and DiMaggio allegedly began to spend more and more time together and allegedly started dating again.

20/50
That Joe DiMaggio Was Going to Propose to Marilyn
(Image credit: Getty)

That Joe DiMaggio Was Going to Propose to Marilyn

Rumor has it that DiMaggio intended to marry Marilyn again after they started dating.

21/50
That Marilyn Had an IQ of 168
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Had an IQ of 168

Many believe that Marilyn was extremely smart, with an extraordinary IQ.

22/50
That Marilyn Was pregnant with Co-Star Yves Montand's Child
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was pregnant with Co-Star Yves Montand's Child

Some believed that when Monroe got pregnant, it was with Yves Montand's child instead of husband Arthur Miller's.

24/50
That Marilyn Attempted Suicide in 1950
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Attempted Suicide in 1950

After her friend Johnny Hyde—a famous Hollywood agent—died from a heart attack in 1950, Marilyn allegedly attempted suicide with a drug overdose.

25/50
That Marilyn Looked to Books and Manuals to Improve Sex
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Looked to Books and Manuals to Improve Sex

Some believe that while Marilyn was the ultimate sex symbol for men, she needed some assistance.

26/50
That Marilyn Didn't Want to Have Sex with Her First Husband
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Didn't Want to Have Sex with Her First Husband

Supporters of the previous rumor believe that Marilyn disliked having sex with her first husband so much that she locked herself in the bathroom for most of her marriage with Jim Dougherty. Apparently, a friend of Jim Dougherty said, "Jim told me privately that she spent most of their early marriage locked in the bathroom."

27/50
That Marilyn's Sexual Identity Was a Lie
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn's Sexual Identity Was a Lie

Jean Negulesco who directed Monroe in How to Marry a Millionaire, allegedly said (opens in new tab), "Her whole existence was a search for identity, and her sexual identity was a complete lie."

28/50
That Marilyn Claimed She Never Had an Orgasm with a Man
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Claimed She Never Had an Orgasm with a Man

Negulesco also claimed that Marilyn told him she had never had an orgasm with a man. He allegedly said, "She told me once she had never had an orgasm with a man in her entire life."

29/50
That Marilyn Couldn't Enjoy Sex with Men Because of a Medical Condition
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Couldn't Enjoy Sex with Men Because of a Medical Condition

Celeste Holm, an actress who worked with Marilyn in All About Eve, allegedly claimed that Marilyn could not enjoy sex with men because of her experience with endometriosis (opens in new tab).

30/50
That Marilyn Was in Love with Betty Grable
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was in Love with Betty Grable

Some believe that Marilyn not only looked up to Grable as an actress, but was in love with her.

31/50
That Marilyn Was in Love with Judy Garland
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was in Love with Judy Garland

Some believe Marilyn was also infatuated with Garland. Apparently, Garland said of this, "One night at a party, Marilyn followed me from room to room. I don't want to get too far away from you."

32/50
That Marilyn Was Involved with Natasha Lytess
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was Involved with Natasha Lytess

Lytess apparently helped Marilyn with her acting career and allegedly moved in with her in 1950. Rumor has it that Monroe once said of Natasha: "She was a great teacher, but she got really jealous about the men I saw. She thought she was my husband!"

33/50
That Marilyn Was Involved with Joan Crawford
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was Involved with Joan Crawford

After her supposed relationship with Natasha, Marilyn was allegedly involved with Joan Crawford.

34/50
That Marilyn Was Dating Barbara Stanwyck
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was Dating Barbara Stanwyck

Some believe Marilyn was also involved with former Hollywood actress Barbara Stanwyck.

35/50
That She Was Involved with Marlene Dietrich
(Image credit: Getty)

That She Was Involved with Marlene Dietrich

Another rumor has it that Monroe was also involved with another former Hollywood actress—Marlene Dietrich.

36/50
That Marilyn Had an Affair with Paula Strasberg
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Had an Affair with Paula Strasberg

Apparently, while she was studying at the Actors Studio in New York with Lee and Paula Strasberg (husband and wife), Monroe became involved with Paula.

37/50
That Joe DiMaggio Claimed His Marriage with Marilyn Failed Because of her Interest in Women
(Image credit: Getty)

That Joe DiMaggio Claimed His Marriage with Marilyn Failed Because of her Interest in Women

Joe DiMaggio allegedly claimed that his failed marriage could be attributed to Marilyn's interest in women.

38/50
That Marilyn Was Involved with Elizabeth Taylor
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was Involved with Elizabeth Taylor

Some claim that Marilyn and fellow actress Elizabeth Taylor were intimately involved. Apparently, Taylor wrote in her journal, "Her touch was electric."

39/50
That a Tape of an Appointment Between Marilyn and her Psychiatrist Exists
(Image credit: Getty)

That a Tape of an Appointment Between Marilyn and her Psychiatrist Exists

This rumor holds that Marilyn revealed her greatest secrets in this tape. She allegedly told her psychiatrist, Ralph Greenson, that, "You are the only person who will ever know the most private, the most secret thoughts of Marilyn Monroe. I have absolute confidence and trust you will never reveal to a living soul what I say to you."

40/50
That Marilyn's Psychiatrist Murdered Her
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn's Psychiatrist Murdered Her

In one of the crazier rumors, there are claims that Dr. Ralph Green was compelled to murder Marilyn after their conversation.

41/50
That Marilyn Was Deeply Afraid of Being Pregnant
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was Deeply Afraid of Being Pregnant

Due to her traumatic childhood and her parents' experience with mental illness, Marilyn was allegedly afraid of having children and passing on a potential genetic mental illness.

42/50
That Marilyn's First Marriage Was Arranged
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn's First Marriage Was Arranged

Some believe that Marilyn's first marriage with James Dougherty was arranged so that she could avoid going back to the orphanage where she was staying.

43/50
That Marilyn Attempted Suicide Twice with Jim Dougherty
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Attempted Suicide Twice with Jim Dougherty

Rumor has it Marilyn attempted suicide twice while married to her first husband.

44/50
That Marilyn Referred to Herself in the Third Person
(Image credit: Sunset Boulevard)

That Marilyn Referred to Herself in the Third Person

Apparently, Marilyn often referred to herself as "Marilyn Monroe" instead of using first person.

45/50
That She Was Related to President James Monroe
(Image credit: Sunset Boulevard)

That She Was Related to President James Monroe

Some have taken to the belief that Marilyn was related (opens in new tab) to the former president.

46/50
That a Retired CIA Agent Killed Marilyn
(Image credit: Getty)

That a Retired CIA Agent Killed Marilyn

Retired CIA agent, Normand Hodges, admitted to killing Monroe in order to cover up her relationship with JFK. He stated, "My commanding officer, Jimmy Hayworth, told me that she had to die, and that it had to look like a suicide or an overdose."

47/50
That Marilyn Attempted Suicide During Her Relationship with Arthur Miller
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Attempted Suicide During Her Relationship with Arthur Miller

Some contend that Marilyn was so unhappy in her relationship with Miller that she attempted suicide.

48/50
That Marilyn's Housekeeper Murdered Her
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn's Housekeeper Murdered Her

Some believe (opens in new tab) that Marilyn's housekeeper Eunice Murray killed Marilyn. When the police initially arrived at Marilyn's home, they found Murray cleaning sheets. Proponents of this rumor contend that Murray was cleaning up a crime she committed.

49/50
That Marilyn Was First Choice for the Lead in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'
(Image credit: Getty)

That Marilyn Was First Choice for the Lead in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'

Apparently director Truman Capote wanted Marilyn to star in Breakfast at Tiffany's, but her acting coach supposedly advised her not to take the part, as it didn't fit the type of roles she should be playing.

50/50
That She Did Not Have Suicidal Thoughts at the Time of Her Death
(Image credit: Getty)

That She Did Not Have Suicidal Thoughts at the Time of Her Death

This rumor holds that Monroe was stable enough not (opens in new tab) to have killed herself. John Miner, a former prosecutor claimed that, "There was no possible way this woman could have killed herself. She had very specific plans for her future. She knew exactly what she wanted to do."

Latest
You might also like
View More ▸