Synopses & Reviews
Published for the fiftieth anniversary of her tragic death, this definitive account dispels the rumors and sets the record straight on her last two yearsMarilyn Monroe passed away at the age of thirty-six under circumstances that have remained mysterious to this day. Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years separates the myths and rumors from the facts as Keith Badman takes readers through the concluding months of 1960 to that fateful day in August 1962.
In this extraordinary book—the product of five years of exhaustive research—the author is both biographer and detective: Badman uncovers long-lost or previously unseen personal records, exclusive interviews, and eyewitness accounts that illuminate the final chapter of Marilyns life as she navigates weight gain, drug use, and personal turmoil, along with drama on the set of the ill-fated movie Somethings Got to Give.
Badman dispels popular beliefs, such as her supposed affairs with John and Bobby Kennedy. (Monroe only had a one-night stand with the president at Bing Crosbys house, and never with Bobby.) Readers learn the long-concealed identity of her biological father, who refused Marilyns attempt to contact him in 1951—and was then repaid with her apathy ten years later when he attempted to contact her. The author also reveals the details of her famous “last Sitting” with photographer Bert Stern (which was not her last photo shoot) and describes the horror she endured after being tricked into being institutionalized at the Payne-Whitney Psychiatric Clinic, from which ex-husband Joe DiMaggio had to pull strings to secure her release. Perhaps most shockingly, we learn of the regrettable incident in which a drunken Monroe was sexually exploited by mobsters at a Lake Tahoe hotel co-owned by Frank Sinatra. Finally contrary to the salacious rumors that Marilyn was suicidal or the victim of a murder and cover-up, Badman discloses new information about her final days alive and reveals, in unequivocal detail, evidence that indicates Monroes death was accidental.
Above it all, Badman pays homage to Monroe by rescuing her final months from the realm of wild and sensationalized allegations popularized by those who sought to gain from them. Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years sheds new light on an immortal movie legend.
Review
"Meticulously researched…unlocks the mystery surrounding the final hours of Hollywoods favourite blonde." —SUNDAY EXPRESS (UK)
"Shocking and frank, Badmans work is a piece of investigative journalism worthy of the highest accolades." —RECORD COLLECTOR (UK)
Review
“He painstakingly examines day-to-day events, sorting through fact and myth to uncover the real story.”
—Library Journal
“A meticulously detailed look at the year and a half leading up to Marilyn's death.”
—The Huffington Post
"Meticulously researched…unlocks the mystery surrounding the final hours of Hollywoods favourite blonde."
—Sunday Express (UK)
"Shocking and frank, Badmans work is a piece of investigative journalism worthy of the highest accolades."
—Record Collector (UK)
Synopsis
To publish for the fiftieth anniversary of her tragic death, this definitive account dispels the rumors and sets the record straight on her last two years Keith Badman delves into the reality of Monroes last days in this surprising, and painstakingly researched biography. Dispelling some of the most pervasive beliefs as well as bringing light to others, Badman reveals that:
• Monroe had a one-night stand with JFK at Bing Crosbys house, but the rumors about her on-going affairs with JFK and RFK were untrue
• Her father was not Martin Edward Mortensen but a man named Charles Stanley Gifford, who abandoned Marilyns mother when she was three months pregnant
• Monroe was tricked into admitting herself into a psychiatric institute where she was treated like a prisoner in a mental asylum until Joe DiMaggio pulled strings for her release
• A drunken Monroe was sexually exploited by mobsters at a Lake T ahoe hotel co-owned by Frank Sinatra, who had photos of the incident destroyed
Badman sifts the truth from the gossip to provide a perfect companion to the hugely successful book, Fragments. For those who think they know the truth about Marilyn Monroe, think again.
About the Author
KEITH BADMAN is the author of several highly acclaimed pop-culture books, including The Beatles: After The Break-Up, The Beatles: Off the Record, Good Times, Bad Times: The Definitive Diary of the Rolling Stones 1960-1969 and The Beach Boys (which was endorsed by the group's legendary Brian Wilson).