Marilyn Monroe: Explore the star's first and last home (2024)

She is certainly one of the most emblematic actresses in Hollywood history. Sixty years after her death, Marilyn Monroe remains more present than ever in people’s minds thanks to the biopic BLONDE, expected to release on September 28. To mark the occasion, EnVols the star’s footsteps in Los Angeles, and cracks open the doors of her last home.

BLONDE, the Marylin Monroe biopic

This is the most anticipated film release for the autumn of 2022. BLONDE, the adaptation to Joyce Carol Oates’ bestseller, arrives on Netflix on 28 September. Starring actress Ana de Armas in the lead role, the film retells the story of the American actress’ life and career. “From her tumultuous childhood to her meteoric rise and complex love affairs – from Norma Jeane to Marilyn – BLONDE blurs the line between fact and fiction to explore the widening gap between her public persona and the person she was in private,” the streaming platform announced.

The first still shots revealing Ana de Armas starring as Marilyn Monroe quickly made the rounds on social networks. In addition to the actress’ striking resemblance to the Hollywood icon, fans are getting restless about the biopic. Proof, if anything, of the major legacy that Marilyn Monroe left behind, untouched by the years. “Desired by many. Ignored by all.” BLONDE explores the gap between the star’s public image and her true nature, much to the delight of her contemporary fans.

Norma Jeane Mortenson’s first home

While to the outside world she was Marilyn Monroe, the peerless Hollywood sex symbol, within the walls of this house she was Norma Jeane Mortenson again. At 12305 5^th Helena Drive, in the Brentwood district of Los Angeles, there stood the first and last home of the world-renowned American actress and sensation. As an orphan, Norma Jeane spent her childhood in a series of shelters and foster homes, and having become Marilyn, she fulfilled her greatest dream: to have her own home. The star bought this house in 1961 and began extensive repairs. Indeed, this hacienda was built in 1929, and needed a lot of work done before she could move in.

Despite all the renovations, Marilyn decided to keep the house’s authenticity with its exposed beams, thick white walls and terracotta tiles. The charming 180 m² house has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a large outdoor swimming pool. The house’s simple style contrasts heavily with Marilyn Monroe’s glitzy everyday life, yet this is where she felt most at home.

Marilyn Monroe’s last home

Ironically, she would only live there for six months. Indeed, in the night from 4 to 5 August 1962, the Hollywood actress died at the age of 36 of an overdose, in her Los Angeles home. Many theories still circulate about the death of one of cinema’s most striking stars, and whether it was an accident or suicide. Although the house has been renovated several times since and no longer looks like it did when the star lived there, it will always remain Marilyn’s last home in the hearts of devoted fans.