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When Norma Jeane Baker became famous as Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s, she said her mother, Gladys Baker, was either dead or not a part of her life, depending on the publicity campaign of the moment. However, neither was true. Marilyn's mentally ill mother was very much present in her world, and the complex family drama that unfolded behind the scenes is a story that has never before been told ... until now.
Here J. Randy Taraborrelli draws detailed portraits of the people so influential in Marilyn's life. He tells the heartbreaking story of a world-famous daughter dealing secretly with a parent's severe paranoid schizophrenia-and exposes the shocking scope of Marilyn's own mental deterioration. Taraborrelli also uncovers the identity of Marilyn's real father and the half-brother she never knew, as well as the truth about her relationship with the Kennedys-Jack, Bobby, and Pat Kennedy Lawford. Based on decades of new research and including the most complete filmography ever compiled, The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe is the final word on one of the most fascinating and elusive legends of the twentieth century.
Preface xiii
Prologue 1
Part 1 The Beginning 7
Norma Jeane's Foster Mother, Ida 9
Norma Jeane's Grandmother, Della 12
Marilyn's Mother, Gladys 17
Norma Jeane Is Born 22
Della's Terrible Fate 25
Living with the Bolenders 28
A Frightening Encounter with Gladys 33
Ida Wants to Adopt Norma Jeane 37
"Now It's Time to Know Your Mother" 39
A New-and Temporary-Life 44
The Voices Return 50
Grace Is Norma Jeane's Legal Guardian 55
Norma Jeane's Troubling Visit with Gladys 58
Norma Jeane in an Orphanage 60
Grace v. Ida 66
Norma Jeane Learns She Has a Half Sister 70
Norma Jeane Marries 72
Part 2 Transitioning 79
Crazy? 81
Gladys's Clever Plan 84
Trouble in Paradise 87
Overnight Success 91
Gladys Is Released 94
Gladys's Plea to Norma Jeane 96
Jim Gets a Surprise: Gladys 99
How Gladys Lost Her Children 101
The First Norma Jeane 106
Jim's Ultimatum 108
Final Cofrontation
Norma Jeane Signs with 20th Century-Fox 112
Part 3 Marilyn 117
Marilyn Trying to Understand Gladys 119
Getting Through to Gladys? 124
Wayne Bolender's Fatherly Advice 128
Giving Up Her Soul 130
Natasha 135
Disappointment 138
Johnny Hyde 140
Gladys Marries 145
Fifty Bucks for Nudity? 147
Part 4 Stardom 151
Unwelcome Visitors 153
The Asphalt Jungle 156
All About Eve 158
Dumb as a Blonde Fox 161
Suicide over Johnny? 165
Marilyn Tries to Meet Her "Father" 168
Early Films 172
Jasper Dies 174
Don't Bother to Knock 177
Joe DiMaggio 180
The Nude Calendar Scandal 186
Gladys: "I'd Like to Have My Child's Love" 189
Marilyn and Joe: Tumultuous Already? 194
Gladys's Surprise Visit 196
Niagara 200
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 202
Gladys Threatens Grace 205
Gladys's New Home 209
How to Marry a Millionaire 212
River of No Return 215
Part 5 Difficult Times 217
Grace's Upsetting Secret 219
Grace Learns About Marilyn's Troubles 221
A Graceful Exit 225
A Shocking Discovery About Grace 226
Marilyn's Rebellion 229
Natasha Continues Her Dual Purpose 232
Mrs. DiMaggio 234
There's No Business Like Show Business 239
The Seven Year Itch 242
Marilyn Divorces Joe 246
Sinatra 249
The Wrong Door Raid 253
Marilyn in New York 259
Arthur Miller 268
Why Marilyn Was Investigated by the FBI 272
Bus Stop 274
Natasha Non Grata 276
Part 6 Vioces 281
The Misery of Arthur Miller 283
Marilyn and Arthur Marry 285
The Prince and the Showgirl 287
Arthur Miller's Damning Journal 293
Quiet Before the Storm 296
Marilyn's Depression 301
Some Like It Hot 306
A Sign from God? 312
Part 7 Slow Death 315
Giving Voice to the Voices 317
Marilyn and Pat 323
The Misfits 331
No Relief 338
Marilyn Is Committed 344
"You Are a Very, Very Sick Girl" 347
"I'm Locked Up with These Poor Nutty People" 350
"How Dare You Betray Me!" 353
Gladys's Sheets, Soaked with Blood 355
Returning to the Safety of Sinatra 358
A Reunion with Berniece 365
Greenson's Diagnosis 370
A Second Opinion 374
Marilyn's Drugs of Choice 376
Dr. Greenson in Control 383
Eunice Murray 387
Part 8 The Kennedys 391
Kennedy Style 393
Marilyn and Bobby 398
JFK: "Finally! You're Here!" 403
Notorious Players 406
Marilyn's Weekend with the President 409
Something's Got to Give 412
Marilyn's Fascination with the President 415
Marilyn's Surprise Visit to Pat 419
An Overdose Because of JFK? 421
Were Marilyn and Bobby "The New Item"? 422
Bobby: "The President Wants It and I Want It" 428
"Happy Birthday, Mr. President" 433
Part 9 Sad Endings 441
Marilyn Fired 443
Gladys: "I Don't Say Goodbye" 449
Pat: "My Friend Is Dying" 457
The Lost Weekend 461
"Maybe" 467
Final Curtain 470
Appendices 477
After Marilyn 479
After Marilyn's Death 479
Glady's Life After Marilyn 482
Perspective: Marilyn and the Kennedys 485
The FBI's Files on Marilyn 489
The John Miner Transcripts 492
Acknowledgments 495
Sources and Other Notes 503
Marilyn Monroe Filmography 527
Index 542
One would think that of all the billions of words written about Marilyn Monroe everything had been made public - at least twice. Not so we discover in The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe. Celebrity biographer Taraborrelli who is known for digging deeper than most for collecting data about his subjects really went over the top with this one. He interviewed innumerable sources, all documented in his itemized 30 pages of interviews; everyone from James Dougherty, Marilyn's first husband, to Arthur Miller, whom he found "Maddeningly difficult and not at all open, to Peter Lawford to Mitzi Gaynor.
Perhaps some of the most revelatory information found in this book comes from the files released in 2006 under the Freedom of Information Act. The author details a "truly extraordinary" 3-page document containing information by an FBI agent describing the relationship between Marilyn and Robert Kennedy.
This volume (and it is a volume - 560 pages with previously unpublished photographs) will probably stand as the ultimate word on the ill-fated star. Unfortunately, it is a sad story, sadder than many of us knew. Gladys Baker, her mother who was denied in many publicity releases, was mentally ill suffering from severe paranoid schizophrenia. Marilyn's early years were spent at the Los Angeles Orphans' Home. To come from those circumstances to become one of the most famous movie stars in the world is quite a feat. Regrettably, it seems to have taken a dreadful toll as Marilyn began to deteriorate mentally.
For those who want the definitive story of the woman called the world's greatest sex symbol, here it is, filled with details and minutia from the day she was born until the hour of her untimely death. Taraborrelli has completed a yeoman's task in presenting the story of Marilyn Monroe. One only wishes it could have had a happy ending.
- Gail Cooke
27 out of 31 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 7, 2010
I loved the book, I think this is as accurate an account of her life and death as any of us will ever know. The author had no bias and took facts and examained them from all sides. The pictures at the end added to the the final chapter.
14 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Alla_S
Posted September 3, 2009
In the "Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe," J. Randy Taraborrelli explores the enigmatic life of perhaps the most famous actress of the twentieth century. He introduces the reader to Norma Jean Mortensen, an unlikely future Hollywood phenomenon, who spends her childhood being an unwanted guest, moved around to different houses and caretakers, as she grows up fatherless and nearly motherless-with Gladys Monroe being institutionalized in various mental facilities. Armed with extensive research and interviews from the people who knew Marilyn best, Taraborrelli explores Norma Jean's surprising transformation into Marilyn Monroe and her life in the limelight. Most interesting is Marilyn's relationships with men, which Taraborrelli meticulously details in the book. While few were aware of her first husband, Jim Dougherty, Marilyn's future lovers featured the crème de la crème of American society in the 1950s-celebrities like Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller, Frank Sinatra, and President John Kennedy among others. However, as Taraborrelli sensationally reveals in this book, despite her incredible success with the opposite sex and her unbelievable movie career, Marilyn was constantly plagued by issues which ultimately led to her death. Some of those issues included her troublesome mother, Marilyn's own growing mental problems, her broken down relationships, fear of abandonment, a spiraling out of control drug addiction, on-going conflicts with Twentieth Century Fox which culminated in her being fired, and a growing obsession with the Kennedys that would mark her last months and potentially contribute to her death. Through it all, Taraborrelli weaves an intriguing portrayal of a Hollywood superstar. Unlike other biographies, he stays away from theories or gossip, and focuses on the facts-making it not only comprehensive but a reliable source of information. Taraborrelli's writing is crisp and to the point, exploring not only the Marilyn Monroe persona, but the real person behind the mask who was undeniably very different from the carefully created media façade we know today. An added bonus is the inclusion of rare Marilyn Monroe photographs and a meticulous appendix at the end of the book. This book will undoubtedly be an interesting read for not only Marilyn's fans, but for anyone looking to be entertained.
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I loved the way this book was written! It touched on all aspects of her life; her young life, her self made family, her men, her transition and her everlasting inprint in HOLLYWOOD. This book paints a very detailed image of her "Secret Life." Although some people were hoping that "Secret Life" meant scandel in Hollywood; you soon learn that " Secret Life" was used to describe her unknown troubles and broken family issues. Hollywood scadals are no more than frabricated gossip and twisted truths. Real fans are looking for something deeper than that! This book gives fans the answers they are looking for.
8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 5, 2011
This book is so detailed and so intimate! I felt like I was reading the memoirs of her guardian or her best friend. So different from other books I've read, that have felt more like compilations of news articles and production notes from the movie sets. This book feels very personal and is a must read for any Marilyn fan!
6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.As a huge fan of MM I thought I knew just about all there was to know about this fascinating lady, but Taraborrelli proved me wrong. Using fresh research, including some files recently released by the government, the author adds more color to the affair between Marilyn and President Kennedy, info supplied by an FBI agent who was documenting the affair at the time it occurred! He also interviewed many of the main players from Marilyn's world (many no longer with us) and he was able to review unpublished notes of reporters who covered Marilyn when she was alive. Taraborrelli 's extensive research pays off with one of the most insightful books on Marilyn ever produced. The reader learns of the role Marilyn's mother actually played in her life; I won't give anything away but it is much more extensive than the public ever knew. I was also shocked to learn of the depth of Marilyn's mental problems, I mean any one familiar with her life story knows she had issues, but I never suspected how sick she truly was. This is not just a rehash of old material and I highly recommend it to all interested in this icon's story. For more fascinating Marilyn Monroe reading, do check out "Misfits Country" Marilyn brought to life during the filming of her final movie.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 25, 2011
Ill admit im quite fascinated by this woman, but i didnt know even half of the things that this book contained. I never wanted to put it down, i brought it everywhere just incase i would have a few minutes to read. I would definetly recommend this book.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I recently finished an epic 500-page biography of the lovely Norma Jean entitled "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" by J. Randy Taraborrelli.
Let me preface this review by saying that I have never seen a Marilyn Monroe movie, nor read any books on her. I came into this with just an image of my head that was a compilation of her most famous photos and the preconceived thought that she and JFK had some good times.
I found this book to be completely engrossing...the tale is almost too good to be true in the sense that it reads like a work of fiction. It is hard to believe that Marilyn lived with so many demons, but her path to fame is nonetheless extraordinary.
Taraborrelli is a wonderful biographic writer. It was never dry or boring and filled the pages with such life and detail that a film documentary could probably stand toe-to-toe with its pages.
If you are a new to biographical works, this is a great first-read. Not that it's a "training-wheels" type of book in any sense, it is very dense and very long, but her life's story is so mesmerizing that you sometimes forget it was real.
I now look forward to watching some of Marilyn's work. Her trials, tribulations and many heartbreaks and mental breakdowns were hard to read at times, but in the end it seemed to only add to her goddess-like quality that makes her seem just a little bit unreal.
Highly recommended!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Tearing through the lies and revealing the truth! This book was absolutely written with the up most brilliance. It began with her tragic childhood and ended with her tragic death, just like any other Marilyn Monroe bio, but there was a significant difference. The author tapped in to her SECRET LIFE. It gave great detail on her youth, her transition, her illness and her many men.
THE SECRET: SHE IS AND EVER SHALL BE NORMA JEAN!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I am an adoring fan of Marilyn Monroe especially her quotes, so i decided to read a book about her life. This book goes into great detail from the time she was a little girl to her death. I now have a better understanding as to why marilyn developed the sexual character that she did, in my opinion it was because she didnt have a family to tell her that what she was doing was inappropriate. I learned a great deal about the true Marilyn Monroe and it is a tragedy that she had to die. This book was very interesting, for me there was never a dull moment, the author did a great job!
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Loislovesbooks
Posted November 12, 2009
I did like the author's style of writing; however, though he took pains to remind the reader of when he was discussing something never mentioned before, overall there was not much new in this book about Marilyn Monroe. It is another story of starlet doctors who have no problems providing the famous with as many drugs as they want. What came across to me was that she was provided with all of her drug needs simply because she was beautiful, apparently from head to toe. While she made a few memorable movies, most are easily forgettable. Behind her beauty, there didn't seem to be much substance. The psychiatrist she dealt with towards the end of her life should have been disbarred because of his unethical behaviors, but it doesn't sound as though he ever paid any consequences for his egregious malpractice. The author did not make me feel sorry for Ms. Monroe. Many people, with far worse upbringings than hers, did not turn to drugs to overcome their beginnings. One can't even say she wasn't helped because of the state of mental health care in her era because mental health care is much improved now, but there will always be those waiting to prey on famous people.
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Taraborrelli has an interesting take on Marilyn's life. He focuses a lot on her relationships with other people but mostly with her mother. Any fan of Monroe knows of the hardships she had to face in her childhood but Taraborelli shows how they took a toll on her as an adult. Very good read!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 5, 2012
Was real excited to find this book on sale,just to be disappointed that it actually is not,not happy at all right now!!!!!
2 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2012
I LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 9, 2012
This is awesome book! In parts it is a little disturbing, but over all its amazing! You should read the sample. If you can not afford the book, the sample is great. I also recommend:
Wrapped in a rainbow, hunger games, and the bible.
Keep on reading!!
#4stars
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 29, 2011
This is another great bio about someone so miss understood. I highly recomend it to any of maralyns fans.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 13, 2011
Most everything I have read or researched about Marilyn Monroe has been not very flattering. While by no means does Mr. Taraborrelli sugar coat anything, he is much more sympathetic to her mental state. It is not a boring run of the mill Marilyn book. I liked it, but then again...I like her. Keep Reading!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 17, 2011
This book is nothing if not thorough... a good read but only for the die hard fan.... more like an encyclopedia.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 20, 2011
I loved this book so much. While it was very depressing, you wonder hiw she made it through everyday. She had love with no boundaries and intelligence that couldve stopped you in your tracks. Although nobody gave her the option to be outspoken. I wish i could have met her and had a chance to ask her questions. Everyone besides ida seemed almost distracted with themselves. A lot of people in this book are looked down upon.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I don't know what possess me to read Marilyn Monroe's biography. I do not even idolize her or pay attention to her that much. But one day, I decided, I am going to read up on her. It was one heck of a story the first two chapters, I was depressed, so I have to put it down. Yet I itch to find out how life was for her. From the innocent Norma Jean whose most relatives and guardians are irresponsible and selfish. Seriously her family history and background set her to doom. I think I would have set to the same path of mental illness if my life was like hers, whether or not my family has mental illness. I extremely dislike Grace, while it clearly showed that she did love her best friend daughter, she was not really the fit guardian. I mourn that Norma Jean was forced to leave Ida's care. I was shocked that Grace married of Norma Jean at 16, so she could be done with responsibilities of her. Her life story was tragic, from beginning till the end. All those glitter, all that beauty, the fame. It was all a fascade to what she is actually feeling inside. Now I understand, why people love her, until now even if she's been long gone.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
When Norma Jeane Baker became famous as Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s, she said her mother, Gladys Baker, was either dead or not a part of her life, depending on the publicity campaign of the moment. However, neither was true. Marilyn's mentally ill mother was very much present in her world, and the complex family drama that unfolded behind the scenes is a story that has never before been told ... until now.
Here J. Randy Taraborrelli draws detailed portraits of the people so ...