Marilyn’s death shocked the world
On August 5 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her bedroom in Brentwood, California. Her body was discovered by her psychiatrist, who arrived at the home after being called by Monroe’s housekeeper. Her autopsy revealed she had died on the evening of August 4, from an overdose of barbiturates. After testimony from several doctors who had treated her over the years, Marilyn’s death was classed as a probable suicide. She had a history of overdoses, both accidental and likely deliberate, as well as a history of violent mood swings and suicidal thoughts, according to her doctors.
At the time of her death the public knew little of her history with depression and drugs. The studio’s publicity machine had largely kept such issues private. The sudden nature of her death, and her relatively young age (36) led to what became the legend of Marilyn Monroe. An industry arose over the star, one in which she was either an exploited, abused victim of the studio system and the rich and powerful, or a sex and drug addled exploiter of powerful men. Marilyn was no longer a movie star, she was a legend which continues to grow 60 years after her death.