Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (2024)

Home News

House Tours

By

Lisa Hallett Taylor

Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (1)

Lisa Hallett Taylor

Lisa Hallett Taylor is an expert in architecture and landscape design who has written more than 1,000 articles about pool, patio, garden, and home improvement over 12 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Design and is certified in fine and decorative arts appraisal.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Updated on 07/19/21

Fact checked by

Sarah Scott

Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (2)

Fact checked bySarah Scott

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Trending Videos

Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (3)

Marilyn Monroe lived in her Brentwood home in Los Angeles for about six months before her life came to a tragic end in 1962. Although Monroe lived in 43 different homes in her lifetime, this was the only one she actually bought and chose on her own. She reportedly purchased it after her psychiatrist advised her to "put down some roots."

  • 01 of 05

    Marilyn Monroe

    Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (4)

    It was during the half-year that Monroe lived in the house that she made one of her last public appearances—the infamous presentation of the song "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" at John F. Kennedy's 45th birthday gala. Approximately 18 months after that celebration, bothMonroe and JFKwould be dead.

    Monroe's life was troubled from the beginning and she never got accustomed to a stable home. Born to a young, unwed mother who was institutionalized on and off throughout Monroe's life for mental illness, the actress (born Norma Jeane Mortenson) lived in often-abusive foster homes and an orphanage and attended nine schools while growing up. Her first marriage was in her teens to a neighbor of her foster family, who was a soldier during World War II.

    Continue to 2 of 5 below

  • 02 of 05

    Purchase of the Brentwood House

    Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (5)

    Monroe bought the homein February 1962 after she moved back to Los Angeles following the end of her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller.Some sources say the selling price was $77,500, while others have it as $90,000. She reportedly paid for half of it with cash and took out a mortgage for the rest.

    Located at 12305 5th Helena Drive, Monroe's L-shaped Spanish Colonial Revival originally had adobe walls and a red-tile roof. It alsohad two bedrooms instead of the four it has now, along with a small guesthouse. To decorate in the home's Spanish style, Monroe went on shopping trips to Tijuana and Mexico City, where she bought tiles, tin masks,mirrors, and textiles.

    Continue to 3 of 5 below

  • 03 of 05

    Purchased on Her Own

    Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (6)

    Built in 1929, the one-story hacienda-style house is situated behind tall gates at the end of a quiet cul de sac on more than half an acre of tree-filled grounds. The four-bedroom, three-bath​home features a sparkling swimming pool, expansive yard, and citrus grove.

    Although Monroe owned homes during her marriages, withJoe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, this house was the first she bought without a spouse. She described her casa as a "fortress where I can feel safe from the world," according to the book,​Cursum Perficio: Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood Hacienda.

    When the 23,200-square-foot property went up for sale in 2017, it waslisted at $6.9 millionandsold for $7.25 million.

    What Is Hacienda Architecture?

    Continue to 4 of 5 below

  • 04 of 05

    Home Features

    Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (7)

    Monroe's single-level Spanish-style house was the perfect setting for a freeform swimming pool, which was a popular shape for inground pools at the time.Monroe's beautifully landscaped yard had several fruit trees and a one-story guesthouse she was in the process of renovating when she died.

    Monroe's bedroom has a fireplace and doors leading to a simple, but attractive,courtyard patio. Like the bedroom, the office opens out to the patio and pool area, blending indoors and outdoors in true Southern California style. It's nothing extravagant—especially by today's standards—but it became a tranquil haven for the actress.According to an article inArchitectural Digest, the actress casually referred to the hacienda as “a cute little Mexican-style house with eight rooms."

    Inscribed on tiles embedded in the front stoop of Monroe's house were the Latin wordsCursum Perficio, which means "End of my journey" or "I have completed my journey." Sadly, the words came true for Monroe six months after moving into the Los Angeles area home.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below

  • 05 of 05

    Later Owners

    Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (8)

    In the years after Monroe owned the home, itwas the residence of at least two people in the entertainment industry, including actress Veronica Hamel (Hill Street Blues) and later, director Michael Ritchie.

    During remodeling by Hamel and her husband, surveillance and bugging equipment was found in the roof and walls. The equipment was thought to have been installed secretly during the time Marilyn Monroe was allegedly involved with John F. Kennedy or Robert Kennedy in the early 1960s, although this has never been verified.

    What Is Spanish Colonial Architecture?

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Tour Marilyn Monroe's LA Home (2024)

FAQs

Why are they demolishing Marilyn Monroe's home? ›

They sued the city of L.A. on Monday for the right to demolish it, claiming that city officials acted unconstitutionally in their efforts to designate the home as a landmark and accusing them of “backdoor machinations” in trying to preserve a house that doesn't meet the criteria for status as a historic cultural ...

How much did Marilyn Monroe pay for her house in California? ›

Ownership. In February 1962, Monroe purchased the property for $77,500. She reportedly paid for half of the home in cash and took out a mortgage for the second half. In the early morning of August 5, 1962, six months after purchasing the home, Monroe was found dead of a barbiturate overdose in her bedroom.

Did anyone buy Marilyn Monroe's house? ›

Ms. Milstein, an heir to a wealthy real estate family, and Mr. Bank, a reality television producer, own the property next door and purchased the Monroe house last July for $8.35 million to combine the properties and expand their current home.

Who owns Marilyn Monroe's house in California? ›

Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, the owners, argue Los Angeles has issued a “stay” on permits that were previously granted and won't let them tear down the home. They're suing the city over efforts to protect the house as a historic landmark. The one-story residence was the only home Monroe owned.

Did the Heiress sue for the right to tear down Marilyn Monroe's home? ›

The owners of Marilyn Monroe's former Los Angeles home are suing for the right to demolish the property. Heiress Brinah Milstein and reality TV producer Roy Bank, who have owned the home since last year, are suing the City of Los Angeles over its attempt to designate the home as a historic landmark.

Did the homeowners sue LA for the right to demolish Marilyn Monroe's house? ›

The Owners of Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood Home Are Suing for the Right to Demolish It. The owners of Marilyn Monroe's final home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, want the 1929-built structure demolished and are now taking legal action to make it happen.

Was there bugging equipment found in Marilyn Monroe's house? ›

Her home contained an elaborate, government-grade bugging system to record her calls. In her residence, a minuscule device, no larger than a grain of rice, had been discreetly implanted for the purpose of surreptitious eavesdropping on the final discussions of the deceased actor, Marilyn Monroe.

Does Marilyn Monroe's estate still make money? ›

Forbes reported that Monroe's likeness is used by nearly 100 brands around the world, including high-end fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana. Her famous face is still her biggest money-maker, but her films still bring in cash to her estate. Some Like It Hot made her estate $4.5 million in 1999 alone.

What is Marilyn Monroe's net worth? ›

When Monroe died, she was single and childless. She had a net worth of $800,000, approximately $7 million today. Monroe lived lavishly and spent her money freely on clothing, jewelry and her home. She was also extremely generous to her friends and employees.

Who lived in Marilyn Monroe's house after she died? ›

Iconic American actor Marilyn Monroe lived and died in the same home in Brentwood. In 2023, the home's new owner was listed as Glory of the Snow LLC. It is a company managed by Dan Lukas, who is an Emerald Lake hedge fund manager, and his wife Anne Jarmain.

Who got Marilyn Monroe's belongings? ›

Rather than leave her estate outright to Lee Strasberg, Monroe could have left her entire estate in trust for the benefit of Mr. Strasberg during his lifetime. After his passing, the balance of the estate could have gone to individuals or charities of Monroe's choosing; rather than to someone she had never met.

Is Marilyn Monroe's house still standing? ›

The final home of Marilyn Monroe – and the only residence she ever owned independently – will remain standing for now after Los Angeles officials intervened to block the property's demolition.

Why are they demolishing Marilyn Monroe's house? ›

The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit, filed Monday, alleges "illegal and unconstitutional conduct" by the city "with respect to the house where Marilyn Monroe occasionally lived for a mere six months before she tragically committed suicide 61 years ago."

Who inherited Marilyn Monroe's house? ›

Monroe died at age 36 on Aug. 4, 1962, and in her will left 75 percent of her physical property and IP rights to her acting coaches, Actors Studio legend Lee Strasberg and his second wife, Paula, who would die in 1966. Lee married Anna a year later. With Lee's death in February 1982, Anna inherited the Monroe estate.

Where is Marilyn Monroe buried? ›

What happened to Marilyn Monroe property? ›

In the 60 years that have passed since Monroe's death, the house has been handed from owner to owner. Some necessary modifications have been made while preserving its essence. However, a millionaire couple has now bought the place and intends to demolish it. No one seems to be able to stop them, not even the city.

What happened to Marilyn Monroe's belongings? ›

The famous actress and model passed away in August of 1962, leaving the bulk of her estate to her acting coach, Lee Strasberg. When Strasberg passed away, his third wife, Anna, inherited Marilyn's estate from him – even though Marilyn and Anna never knew one another.

Is Marilyn Monroe's house still up? ›

The final home of Marilyn Monroe – and the only residence she ever owned independently – will remain standing for now after Los Angeles officials intervened to block the property's demolition.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6483

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.