August 21, 2025 • 18 mins
Unravel the enigma of Marilyn Monroe in this gripping deep dive into her life, loves, and the dark secrets that may have led to her untimely death. From her troubled childhood as Norma Jeane to her rise as Hollywood’s ultimate icon, this video explores Marilyn Monroe’s dazzling fame, her scandalous affairs with JFK and RFK, and her shocking ties to Cold War espionage and UFO conspiracies. Was her 1962 death a suicide, a CIA murder, a Mafia hit, or a staged escape to flee dangerous truths? Discover the chilling theories, from Roswell cover-ups to the mysterious red diary, backed by newly released JFK files in 2025.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/despotic-ambitions--6717054/support.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/despotic-ambitions--6717054/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Marilyn Monroe born Norma Jean Mortensen was more than Hollywood's
radiant star. She was a woman caught in a web
of ambition, romance, and secrets that stretched far beyond the
silver screen. From a childhood marked by instability to her
meteoric rise as a global icon, her life was a
tapestry of triumph and turmoil. Yet beneath the glamour lay
(00:24):
a shadowy world of political intrigue, clandestine affairs, and whispered
conspiracies that would define her legacy. Entangled with the powerful
Kennedy Brothers, privy to Cold War secrets, and rumored to
hold knowledge of extraterrestrial cover ups, Maryland's story is one
of dazzling fame and dangerous truths. Her nineteen sixty two death,
(00:44):
officially a suicide, sparked decades of speculation, murder by the CIA,
a mafia hit, or even a faked escape to flee
her perilous ties. This story unravels the enigma of Marilyn Monroe,
exploring the conspiracies and controversies that transformed her from a
Hollywood legend into a symbol of hidden truths, forever shrouded
(01:06):
in mystery.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
On June first, nineteen twenty six.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Norma Jean Mortensen was born in Los Angeles, California, to
Gladys Pearl Baker, a single mother struggling with mental illness.
The absence of a stable family defined Norma Jean's early years,
as she was shuttled between foster homes, orphanages, and relatives.
Her mother's frequent hospitalizations left young Norma Jean vulnerable, fostering
a resilience that would later fuel her ambition. Growing up
(01:33):
in the shadow of Hollywood, she dreamed of escape, finding
solace in movie theaters where she idolized stars like Jean Harlowe.
These early experiences shaped her determination to transcend her circumstances,
planting the seeds for her transformation into an icon. By
the late nineteen thirties, Norma Jean's life was marked by uncertainty.
At age twelve, she endured abuse in foster care, an
(01:56):
ordeal that deepened her distrust of authority and honed her
ability to navigate complex social dynamics. Her beauty began to
attract attention, and by nineteen forty one she was working
in a munitions factory during World War II. A chance
encounter with a photographer in nineteen forty two changed her trajectory,
leading to modeling gigs that showcased her natural charisma. To
(02:18):
avoid returning to an orphanage, she married James Doggerty at sixteen,
a pragmatic union that provided stability but stifled her dreams.
The marriage was a fleeting chapter, ending in nineteen forty
six as her aspirations outgrew her small town life. This
period laid the foundation for Norma Jean's reinvention. Her early
(02:40):
exposure to Hollywood's allure, coupled with the hardships of her youth,
instilled a duality vulnerability paired with fierce ambition. The munition's
factory job, while mundane introduced her to the power of
her image as her photographs caught the eye of talent scouts.
By nineteen forty two, Norma Jean was no longer just
(03:00):
foster child. She was on the cusp of becoming Marilyn Monroe,
a name that would soon captivate the world. Her early
struggles forged a persona that was both relatable and enigmatic,
setting the stage for her meteoric rise. As World War
II raged, Norma Jean transitioned from factory worker to model,
(03:22):
her striking features gracing magazine covers by nineteen forty four.
Adopting the name Marilyn Monroe suggested by a studio executive,
she signed with twentieth Century Fox in nineteen forty six,
landing bit parts in films like Dangerous Years nineteen forty seven.
For screen presence, even in minor roles, hinted at a
star in the making. By nineteen forty eight, she starred
(03:44):
in Ladies of the Chorus, a low budget musical that
showcased her singing and charm. These early roles, though small,
were stepping stones to her breakthrough performances in The Asphalt
Jungle and All About Eve in nineteen fifty, which established
her as a serious talent. Allan's personal life during this
period was as dynamic as her career. Her nineteen forty
(04:04):
six divorce from Doherty freed her to pursue Hollywood full time,
but it also exposed her to the industry's predatory underbelly.
She navigated casting couches and studio politics, learning to leverage
her allure while studying acting to prove her depth. Her
nineteen fifty four marriage to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio was
a high profile union, but his discomfort with her public
(04:27):
persona led to its collapse within nine months. Marylynd's determination
to be more than a sex symbol drove her to
the actor's studio, where she honed her craft under Lee Strasbourg,
earning respect for her dedication. The late nineteen forties were
a crucible for Marilynd's identity. She crafted a public image
of effortless glamour while privately battling insecurity and the pressure
(04:49):
to conform to Hollywood's expectations. Her early films revealed a
raw talent that captivated audiences, but her off screen relationships
with industry insiders hinted at her growing in influence.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
By nineteen fifty, Marilyn was no longer Norma Jane.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
She was a rising star whose beauty and ambition were
drawing attention from powerful figures beyond Hollywood, including those in
political spheres who saw her as more than just an actress.
By nineteen fifty one, Maryland Starr was ascendant with roles
in Gentlemen Preferred Blondes nineteen fifty three and How to
Marry a Millionaire nineteen fifty three, cementing her as Hollywood's
(05:28):
leading lady. Her comedic timing and magnetic presence made her
a box office draw, but her private life was increasingly
entangled with the Kennedy family.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Introduced to Senator John F.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Kennedy in nineteen fifty four through Peter Lawford, Maryland's flirtation
with JFK evolved into a passionate affair. By nineteen fifty six,
their clandestine meetings, often at Lawford's beach house, were marked
by intense chemistry and whispered confidences, positioning Marylyn as a
trusted ally in JFK's political orbit. By nineteen fifty eight,
(06:01):
Maryland's relationship with the Kennedys expanded to include Robert F. Kennedy,
the Attorney General. Her simultaneous affairs with both brothers created
a complex dynamic as she became a confidant privy to
their political strategies and personal vulnerabilities. Maryland's charm made her
a unique asset, capable of disarming powerful men and extracting information.
(06:23):
Her nineteen fifty six marriage to playwright Arthur Miller, intended
to lend her intellectual credibility, crumbled under the strain of
her Kennedy ties and her growing dependence on prescription drugs.
The marriage ended in nineteen sixty one, leaving Marylynd vulnerable
but deeply embedded in the Kennedy inner circle. Maryland's role
as a Kennedy confidante was not merely personal. It had
(06:45):
political implications. Her travels to Europe and Mexico for film
promotions doubled as opportunities to gather intelligence as she mingled
with foreign dignitaries and reported back to JFK. Her home
was bugged by multiple parties, the CIA, the Mafia, and
Jimmy Hoffa's teamsters, capturing conversations that revealed her access to
sensitive information. By nineteen sixty, as JFK assumed the presidency,
(07:09):
Maryland's dual life as a Hollywood icon and political insider
placed her at the heart of a dangerous nexus, setting
the stage for her covert activities in the Cold War.
In nineteen sixty Maryland's role as an informal spy.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
For JFK took shape.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Her international fame allowed her to move freely among global elites,
making her an ideal operative for gathering intelligence during the
Cold War. Her trips to Mexico in nineteen sixty one,
ostensibly for the misfits. Promotion involved meetings with figures like
Indonesian President Sukarno, whose anti American sentiments were of interest
to the US government. Maryland's ability to charm and disarm
(07:48):
made her a valuable asset, as she relayed insights to
JFK about foreign leader's intentions. Her home, wired with surveillance
by multiple factions, captured discussions about the Cuban missile crisis
and CIA operations, underscoring her access to classified information. Maryland's
spy activities extended beyond intelligence gathering. She was tasked with
(08:08):
delivering messages to international contacts, leveraging her celebrity to bypass scrutiny.
Her nineteen sixty one visit to London included discreete meetings
with British officials where she passed along sensitive information about
US Soviet negotiations. These activities were coordinated through Peter Lawford,
who ensured her safety while maintaining plausible deniability for the Kennedys. However,
(08:32):
the constant surveillance by the CIA, Mafia, and even the
FBI placed Marylyn under immense pressure, exacerbating her reliance on
barbiturates and alcohol to cope with the stress. By nineteen
sixty two, Maryland's dual life was unraveling. Her mental health
deteriorated as she struggled to balance her public persona with
(08:53):
her covert responsibilities. Her relationships with both Kennedy's grew strained,
particularly with rf KAY, who distanced himself as her behavior
became erratic. Maryland's threat to hold a press conference exposing
her affairs and the secrets she had learned, including JFK's
revelations about extraterrestrial evidence at a secret airbase, made her
(09:13):
a liability. Her knowledge of the nineteen forty seven Roswell crash,
shared during intimate moments with JFK, positioned her as a
threat to national security, setting the stage for her tragic end.
In the spring of nineteen sixty two, Maryland's life reached
a breaking point. Her performance of Happy Birthday for JFK
at Madison Square Garden on May nineteenth was a public
(09:36):
spectacle that fueled rumors of their affair. Privately, she was spiraling,
battling insomnia and depression while grappling with her role as
a Kennedy confidante. On August fourth, nineteen sixty two, RFK
visited her Brentwood home, where wiretaps recorded a heated argument
Marilyn accused him of abandoning her after she underwent an abortion.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Allegedly of his child.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
That evening, she was found dead ed officially ruled a
probable suicide from a barbiturate overdose.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
The scene raised suspicions.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
No glass of water was found near her bed despite
the number of pills, and her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, was
seen washing sheets, suggesting a cover up. The official narrative
was quickly challenged. Evidence pointed to murder, with the CIA
implicated in administering a lethal barbiturate enema to silence Maryland's
knowledge of UFOs and Kennedy secrets. The mafia under Sam
(10:27):
Giancana was also suspected, motivated by a desire to undermine
the Kennedy's A helicopter was reported landing near her home,
possibly facilitating rfk's swift departure.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
The absence of.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Forensic evidence such as stomach contents showing pill residue, and
the rapid cremation of her body fueled speculation that her
death was staged to protect national security interests tied to
extraterrestrial cover ups. Another theory suggests Marilyn faked her death
to escape the dangers closing in Sightings of her in
Europe in the years following n nineteen sixty two living
(11:01):
under an assumed identity support this narrative. The alien conspiracy
gained traction with claims that Marilyn was killed to prevent
her from revealing JFK's knowledge of Roswell artifacts. A nineteen
sixty two FBI document, partially redacted, indicated rfk's involvement in
inducing her suicide to protect these secrets. Wire tapper Bernard
(11:24):
Spindel's recordings seized in nineteen sixty six captured RFK and
Lawford discussing her death, with sounds of a struggle, suggesting
she was forcibly subdued to prevent her from exposing the
truth about extraterrestrial evidence. In the aftermath of Maryland's death,
conspiracy theories flourished. In nineteen sixty four, Frank Coppel's pamphlet
(11:47):
claimed RFK orchestrated her murder to cover up their affair,
igniting public suspicion. The nineteen sixty three assassination of JFK
and the nineteen sixty eight killing of RFK intensified scrutiny,
with many believing Maryland's death was part of a broader
Kennedy cover up. By nineteen seventy five, Robert Slatzer's book
The Life and Curious Death of Marilyn Monroe alleged a
(12:09):
secret marriage to Marylyn and her murder by RFK, citing
her possession of a red diary detailing Kennedy secrets. This diary,
reportedly wire tapped by Jimmy Hoffa, contained notes on CIA
plots to assassinate Fidel Castro, making it a coveted artifact
in the nineteen seventies. Anthony Scadudos, who killed Marilyn Monroe
(12:32):
nineteen seventy six, introduced the idea that the mafia, in
collusion with the CIA, killed her to weaken the Kennedy's
political power. The nineteen eighty two Los Angeles District Attorney's
investigation into her death concluded there was no credible evidence
of murder, but its limited scope, ignoring wiretap evidence and
witness testimonies, did little to quell speculation. Private investigator Milos
(12:53):
Spiriglio's nineteen eighty six book The Maryland Conspiracy offered a
ten thousand dollars reward for the Red Diary, claiming it
held proof of a CIA orchestrated hit tied to the
Bay of Pigs fallout. These theories, fueled by public distrust
of government post Watergate, kept Maryland's death in the spotlight.
The nineteen eighties saw further revelations. Witnesses, including former LAPD
(13:15):
officer Mike Rothmiller, claimed access to suppressed police files detailing
rfk's presence at Maryland's home on August fourth, nineteen sixty two.
Wiretap evidence allegedly destroyed by the FBI captured discussions about
UFOs and Kennedy political strategies. The destruction of Bernard Spindle's
tapes in nineteen sixty six, which reportedly included sounds of
(13:36):
Maryland's final moments, reinforced beliefs in a government cover up.
By the decade's end, Maryland's death was cemented as a
symbol of hidden truths, with her Kennedy ties and alien
knowledge at the heart of the narrative.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
The nineteen nineties brought.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
New accounts that deepened the conspiracy Maryland. The Last Take
nineteen ninety two by Peter Harry Brown and Pat Barhams
cited flawed forensic work and the rapid promotion of Maryland's
publicist Pat Newcombe to a US Information Agency role, suggesting
a cover up. Donald Wolfe's The Last Days of Marilyn
Monroe nineteen ninety eight detailed wiretap evidence from the Teamsters
(14:13):
and Mafia, implicating both in her death. The book also
highlighted the suspicious timing of her autopsy, conducted without proper oversight,
and the disappearance of key evidence such as her stomach contents,
which could have confirmed or refuted the overdose narrative. And
in two thousand and four, Matthew Smith's Maryland's Last Words
argued that the CIA killed her to punish the Kennedys
(14:35):
for the Bay of Pigs fiasco, using her death to
send a message to JFK and RFK. The UFO conspiracy
gained prominence with doctor Stephen Greer's twenty seventeen documentary Unacknowledged,
which claimed Marilyn was murdered to silence her about roswell
and extraterrestrial artifacts. A two thousand and seven FBI document
(14:55):
discovered by filmmaker Philippe Mora suggested rfk's complicity in its
inducing her suicide to protect these secrets. The document, partially redacted,
referenced a special project tied to national security, fueling speculation
that Maryland's knowledge of UFOs was a factor in her demise.
The two thousands also saw renewed interest in the fake
(15:15):
death theory. Alleged sightings of Maryland and Switzerland and Canada
living under aliases like Gene Norman were reported by fringe investigators.
These claims, supported by inconsistencies in her autopsy report, such
as the lack of pill residue in her stomach, suggested
she may have been smuggled out of Los Angeles to
avoid assassination. The destruction of police and FBI files, combined
(15:37):
with the rapid cleanup of her home, lent credence to
the idea that her death was staged to protect her
and the Kennedy's secrets, including those tied to extraterrestrial cover ups.
The two thousands tens brought fresh scrutiny to Maryland's story.
The twenty seventeen release of JFK files confirmed rfk's presence
(15:59):
in Lasts Angelus on August fourth, nineteen sixty two, supporting
claims of his involvement in her final hours. The twenty
twenty two Netflix documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe. The
Unheard Tapes presented interviews with her inner circle, including wire
tapper Fred Otash, who claimed to have recordings of RFK
(16:21):
at her home. These tapes, though missing, were said to
capture Maryland's threats to expose Kennedy's secrets, including UFO related information.
The documentary also highlighted the rapid promotion of figures like
Pat Newcombe, suggesting a coordinated effort to suppress the truth.
By twenty twenty five, Donald Trump's release of eighty thousand
(16:41):
pages of unredacted JFK files reignited interest in Maryland's death.
Researchers anticipated revelations about her role as a Cold War
spy and her knowledge of extraterrestrial evidence, Though key documents
remained classified. Her estate continued to generate millions, with her
image of adorning everything from fashion to art, as seen
(17:02):
in the twenty twenty two sale of Andy Warhol's shot
Sage Blue Maryland for one hundred and ninety five million dollars.
Her cultural impact endured, but so did the mystery surrounding
her life, particularly her Kennedy ties and the alien conspiracy
that cast her as a threat to national security. Marilyn
Monroe's life was a labyrinth of glamour, intrigue, and tragedy.
(17:25):
From her turbulent childhood to her rise as Hollywood's brightest star,
she navigated a world of power and deception. Her role
as a Cold War operative for the Kennedys, her knowledge
of UFOs, and her tangled relationships with JFK and RFK
placed her at the center of a deadly conspiracy. Whether
murdered by the CIA or mafia, or spirited away to
(17:48):
live in obscurity, her death remains an unsolved puzzle. The
truth buried in destroyed tapes and classified files ensures that
Marylyn's story, a blend of beauty, betrayal, and cosmic scny secrets,
continues to captivate and confound, a testament to her enduring
legacy as an icon and enigma.
Marilyn Monroe born Norma Jean Mortensen was more than Hollywood's
radiant star. She was a woman caught in a web
of ambition, romance, and secrets that stretched far beyond the
silver screen. From a childhood marked by instability to her
meteoric rise as a global icon, her life was a
tapestry of triumph and turmoil. Yet beneath the glamour lay
(00:24):
a shadowy world of political intrigue, clandestine affairs, and whispered
conspiracies that would define her legacy. Entangled with the powerful
Kennedy Brothers, privy to Cold War secrets, and rumored to
hold knowledge of extraterrestrial cover ups, Maryland's story is one
of dazzling fame and dangerous truths. Her nineteen sixty two death,
(00:44):
officially a suicide, sparked decades of speculation, murder by the CIA,
a mafia hit, or even a faked escape to flee
her perilous ties. This story unravels the enigma of Marilyn Monroe,
exploring the conspiracies and controversies that transformed her from a
Hollywood legend into a symbol of hidden truths, forever shrouded
(01:06):
in mystery.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
On June first, nineteen twenty six.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Norma Jean Mortensen was born in Los Angeles, California, to
Gladys Pearl Baker, a single mother struggling with mental illness.
The absence of a stable family defined Norma Jean's early years,
as she was shuttled between foster homes, orphanages, and relatives.
Her mother's frequent hospitalizations left young Norma Jean vulnerable, fostering
a resilience that would later fuel her ambition. Growing up
(01:33):
in the shadow of Hollywood, she dreamed of escape, finding
solace in movie theaters where she idolized stars like Jean Harlowe.
These early experiences shaped her determination to transcend her circumstances,
planting the seeds for her transformation into an icon. By
the late nineteen thirties, Norma Jean's life was marked by uncertainty.
At age twelve, she endured abuse in foster care, an
(01:56):
ordeal that deepened her distrust of authority and honed her
ability to navigate complex social dynamics. Her beauty began to
attract attention, and by nineteen forty one she was working
in a munitions factory during World War II. A chance
encounter with a photographer in nineteen forty two changed her trajectory,
leading to modeling gigs that showcased her natural charisma. To
(02:18):
avoid returning to an orphanage, she married James Doggerty at sixteen,
a pragmatic union that provided stability but stifled her dreams.
The marriage was a fleeting chapter, ending in nineteen forty
six as her aspirations outgrew her small town life. This
period laid the foundation for Norma Jean's reinvention. Her early
(02:40):
exposure to Hollywood's allure, coupled with the hardships of her youth,
instilled a duality vulnerability paired with fierce ambition. The munition's
factory job, while mundane introduced her to the power of
her image as her photographs caught the eye of talent scouts.
By nineteen forty two, Norma Jean was no longer just
(03:00):
foster child. She was on the cusp of becoming Marilyn Monroe,
a name that would soon captivate the world. Her early
struggles forged a persona that was both relatable and enigmatic,
setting the stage for her meteoric rise. As World War
II raged, Norma Jean transitioned from factory worker to model,
(03:22):
her striking features gracing magazine covers by nineteen forty four.
Adopting the name Marilyn Monroe suggested by a studio executive,
she signed with twentieth Century Fox in nineteen forty six,
landing bit parts in films like Dangerous Years nineteen forty seven.
For screen presence, even in minor roles, hinted at a
star in the making. By nineteen forty eight, she starred
(03:44):
in Ladies of the Chorus, a low budget musical that
showcased her singing and charm. These early roles, though small,
were stepping stones to her breakthrough performances in The Asphalt
Jungle and All About Eve in nineteen fifty, which established
her as a serious talent. Allan's personal life during this
period was as dynamic as her career. Her nineteen forty
(04:04):
six divorce from Doherty freed her to pursue Hollywood full time,
but it also exposed her to the industry's predatory underbelly.
She navigated casting couches and studio politics, learning to leverage
her allure while studying acting to prove her depth. Her
nineteen fifty four marriage to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio was
a high profile union, but his discomfort with her public
(04:27):
persona led to its collapse within nine months. Marylynd's determination
to be more than a sex symbol drove her to
the actor's studio, where she honed her craft under Lee Strasbourg,
earning respect for her dedication. The late nineteen forties were
a crucible for Marilynd's identity. She crafted a public image
of effortless glamour while privately battling insecurity and the pressure
(04:49):
to conform to Hollywood's expectations. Her early films revealed a
raw talent that captivated audiences, but her off screen relationships
with industry insiders hinted at her growing in influence.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
By nineteen fifty, Marilyn was no longer Norma Jane.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
She was a rising star whose beauty and ambition were
drawing attention from powerful figures beyond Hollywood, including those in
political spheres who saw her as more than just an actress.
By nineteen fifty one, Maryland Starr was ascendant with roles
in Gentlemen Preferred Blondes nineteen fifty three and How to
Marry a Millionaire nineteen fifty three, cementing her as Hollywood's
(05:28):
leading lady. Her comedic timing and magnetic presence made her
a box office draw, but her private life was increasingly
entangled with the Kennedy family.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Introduced to Senator John F.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Kennedy in nineteen fifty four through Peter Lawford, Maryland's flirtation
with JFK evolved into a passionate affair. By nineteen fifty six,
their clandestine meetings, often at Lawford's beach house, were marked
by intense chemistry and whispered confidences, positioning Marylyn as a
trusted ally in JFK's political orbit. By nineteen fifty eight,
(06:01):
Maryland's relationship with the Kennedys expanded to include Robert F. Kennedy,
the Attorney General. Her simultaneous affairs with both brothers created
a complex dynamic as she became a confidant privy to
their political strategies and personal vulnerabilities. Maryland's charm made her
a unique asset, capable of disarming powerful men and extracting information.
(06:23):
Her nineteen fifty six marriage to playwright Arthur Miller, intended
to lend her intellectual credibility, crumbled under the strain of
her Kennedy ties and her growing dependence on prescription drugs.
The marriage ended in nineteen sixty one, leaving Marylynd vulnerable
but deeply embedded in the Kennedy inner circle. Maryland's role
as a Kennedy confidante was not merely personal. It had
(06:45):
political implications. Her travels to Europe and Mexico for film
promotions doubled as opportunities to gather intelligence as she mingled
with foreign dignitaries and reported back to JFK. Her home
was bugged by multiple parties, the CIA, the Mafia, and
Jimmy Hoffa's teamsters, capturing conversations that revealed her access to
sensitive information. By nineteen sixty, as JFK assumed the presidency,
(07:09):
Maryland's dual life as a Hollywood icon and political insider
placed her at the heart of a dangerous nexus, setting
the stage for her covert activities in the Cold War.
In nineteen sixty Maryland's role as an informal spy.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
For JFK took shape.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Her international fame allowed her to move freely among global elites,
making her an ideal operative for gathering intelligence during the
Cold War. Her trips to Mexico in nineteen sixty one,
ostensibly for the misfits. Promotion involved meetings with figures like
Indonesian President Sukarno, whose anti American sentiments were of interest
to the US government. Maryland's ability to charm and disarm
(07:48):
made her a valuable asset, as she relayed insights to
JFK about foreign leader's intentions. Her home, wired with surveillance
by multiple factions, captured discussions about the Cuban missile crisis
and CIA operations, underscoring her access to classified information. Maryland's
spy activities extended beyond intelligence gathering. She was tasked with
(08:08):
delivering messages to international contacts, leveraging her celebrity to bypass scrutiny.
Her nineteen sixty one visit to London included discreete meetings
with British officials where she passed along sensitive information about
US Soviet negotiations. These activities were coordinated through Peter Lawford,
who ensured her safety while maintaining plausible deniability for the Kennedys. However,
(08:32):
the constant surveillance by the CIA, Mafia, and even the
FBI placed Marylyn under immense pressure, exacerbating her reliance on
barbiturates and alcohol to cope with the stress. By nineteen
sixty two, Maryland's dual life was unraveling. Her mental health
deteriorated as she struggled to balance her public persona with
(08:53):
her covert responsibilities. Her relationships with both Kennedy's grew strained,
particularly with rf KAY, who distanced himself as her behavior
became erratic. Maryland's threat to hold a press conference exposing
her affairs and the secrets she had learned, including JFK's
revelations about extraterrestrial evidence at a secret airbase, made her
(09:13):
a liability. Her knowledge of the nineteen forty seven Roswell crash,
shared during intimate moments with JFK, positioned her as a
threat to national security, setting the stage for her tragic end.
In the spring of nineteen sixty two, Maryland's life reached
a breaking point. Her performance of Happy Birthday for JFK
at Madison Square Garden on May nineteenth was a public
(09:36):
spectacle that fueled rumors of their affair. Privately, she was spiraling,
battling insomnia and depression while grappling with her role as
a Kennedy confidante. On August fourth, nineteen sixty two, RFK
visited her Brentwood home, where wiretaps recorded a heated argument
Marilyn accused him of abandoning her after she underwent an abortion.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Allegedly of his child.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
That evening, she was found dead ed officially ruled a
probable suicide from a barbiturate overdose.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
The scene raised suspicions.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
No glass of water was found near her bed despite
the number of pills, and her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, was
seen washing sheets, suggesting a cover up. The official narrative
was quickly challenged. Evidence pointed to murder, with the CIA
implicated in administering a lethal barbiturate enema to silence Maryland's
knowledge of UFOs and Kennedy secrets. The mafia under Sam
(10:27):
Giancana was also suspected, motivated by a desire to undermine
the Kennedy's A helicopter was reported landing near her home,
possibly facilitating rfk's swift departure.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
The absence of.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Forensic evidence such as stomach contents showing pill residue, and
the rapid cremation of her body fueled speculation that her
death was staged to protect national security interests tied to
extraterrestrial cover ups. Another theory suggests Marilyn faked her death
to escape the dangers closing in Sightings of her in
Europe in the years following n nineteen sixty two living
(11:01):
under an assumed identity support this narrative. The alien conspiracy
gained traction with claims that Marilyn was killed to prevent
her from revealing JFK's knowledge of Roswell artifacts. A nineteen
sixty two FBI document, partially redacted, indicated rfk's involvement in
inducing her suicide to protect these secrets. Wire tapper Bernard
(11:24):
Spindel's recordings seized in nineteen sixty six captured RFK and
Lawford discussing her death, with sounds of a struggle, suggesting
she was forcibly subdued to prevent her from exposing the
truth about extraterrestrial evidence. In the aftermath of Maryland's death,
conspiracy theories flourished. In nineteen sixty four, Frank Coppel's pamphlet
(11:47):
claimed RFK orchestrated her murder to cover up their affair,
igniting public suspicion. The nineteen sixty three assassination of JFK
and the nineteen sixty eight killing of RFK intensified scrutiny,
with many believing Maryland's death was part of a broader
Kennedy cover up. By nineteen seventy five, Robert Slatzer's book
The Life and Curious Death of Marilyn Monroe alleged a
(12:09):
secret marriage to Marylyn and her murder by RFK, citing
her possession of a red diary detailing Kennedy secrets. This diary,
reportedly wire tapped by Jimmy Hoffa, contained notes on CIA
plots to assassinate Fidel Castro, making it a coveted artifact
in the nineteen seventies. Anthony Scadudos, who killed Marilyn Monroe
(12:32):
nineteen seventy six, introduced the idea that the mafia, in
collusion with the CIA, killed her to weaken the Kennedy's
political power. The nineteen eighty two Los Angeles District Attorney's
investigation into her death concluded there was no credible evidence
of murder, but its limited scope, ignoring wiretap evidence and
witness testimonies, did little to quell speculation. Private investigator Milos
(12:53):
Spiriglio's nineteen eighty six book The Maryland Conspiracy offered a
ten thousand dollars reward for the Red Diary, claiming it
held proof of a CIA orchestrated hit tied to the
Bay of Pigs fallout. These theories, fueled by public distrust
of government post Watergate, kept Maryland's death in the spotlight.
The nineteen eighties saw further revelations. Witnesses, including former LAPD
(13:15):
officer Mike Rothmiller, claimed access to suppressed police files detailing
rfk's presence at Maryland's home on August fourth, nineteen sixty two.
Wiretap evidence allegedly destroyed by the FBI captured discussions about
UFOs and Kennedy political strategies. The destruction of Bernard Spindle's
tapes in nineteen sixty six, which reportedly included sounds of
(13:36):
Maryland's final moments, reinforced beliefs in a government cover up.
By the decade's end, Maryland's death was cemented as a
symbol of hidden truths, with her Kennedy ties and alien
knowledge at the heart of the narrative.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
The nineteen nineties brought.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
New accounts that deepened the conspiracy Maryland. The Last Take
nineteen ninety two by Peter Harry Brown and Pat Barhams
cited flawed forensic work and the rapid promotion of Maryland's
publicist Pat Newcombe to a US Information Agency role, suggesting
a cover up. Donald Wolfe's The Last Days of Marilyn
Monroe nineteen ninety eight detailed wiretap evidence from the Teamsters
(14:13):
and Mafia, implicating both in her death. The book also
highlighted the suspicious timing of her autopsy, conducted without proper oversight,
and the disappearance of key evidence such as her stomach contents,
which could have confirmed or refuted the overdose narrative. And
in two thousand and four, Matthew Smith's Maryland's Last Words
argued that the CIA killed her to punish the Kennedys
(14:35):
for the Bay of Pigs fiasco, using her death to
send a message to JFK and RFK. The UFO conspiracy
gained prominence with doctor Stephen Greer's twenty seventeen documentary Unacknowledged,
which claimed Marilyn was murdered to silence her about roswell
and extraterrestrial artifacts. A two thousand and seven FBI document
(14:55):
discovered by filmmaker Philippe Mora suggested rfk's complicity in its
inducing her suicide to protect these secrets. The document, partially redacted,
referenced a special project tied to national security, fueling speculation
that Maryland's knowledge of UFOs was a factor in her demise.
The two thousands also saw renewed interest in the fake
(15:15):
death theory. Alleged sightings of Maryland and Switzerland and Canada
living under aliases like Gene Norman were reported by fringe investigators.
These claims, supported by inconsistencies in her autopsy report, such
as the lack of pill residue in her stomach, suggested
she may have been smuggled out of Los Angeles to
avoid assassination. The destruction of police and FBI files, combined
(15:37):
with the rapid cleanup of her home, lent credence to
the idea that her death was staged to protect her
and the Kennedy's secrets, including those tied to extraterrestrial cover ups.
The two thousands tens brought fresh scrutiny to Maryland's story.
The twenty seventeen release of JFK files confirmed rfk's presence
(15:59):
in Lasts Angelus on August fourth, nineteen sixty two, supporting
claims of his involvement in her final hours. The twenty
twenty two Netflix documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe. The
Unheard Tapes presented interviews with her inner circle, including wire
tapper Fred Otash, who claimed to have recordings of RFK
(16:21):
at her home. These tapes, though missing, were said to
capture Maryland's threats to expose Kennedy's secrets, including UFO related information.
The documentary also highlighted the rapid promotion of figures like
Pat Newcombe, suggesting a coordinated effort to suppress the truth.
By twenty twenty five, Donald Trump's release of eighty thousand
(16:41):
pages of unredacted JFK files reignited interest in Maryland's death.
Researchers anticipated revelations about her role as a Cold War
spy and her knowledge of extraterrestrial evidence, Though key documents
remained classified. Her estate continued to generate millions, with her
image of adorning everything from fashion to art, as seen
(17:02):
in the twenty twenty two sale of Andy Warhol's shot
Sage Blue Maryland for one hundred and ninety five million dollars.
Her cultural impact endured, but so did the mystery surrounding
her life, particularly her Kennedy ties and the alien conspiracy
that cast her as a threat to national security. Marilyn
Monroe's life was a labyrinth of glamour, intrigue, and tragedy.
(17:25):
From her turbulent childhood to her rise as Hollywood's brightest star,
she navigated a world of power and deception. Her role
as a Cold War operative for the Kennedys, her knowledge
of UFOs, and her tangled relationships with JFK and RFK
placed her at the center of a deadly conspiracy. Whether
murdered by the CIA or mafia, or spirited away to
(17:48):
live in obscurity, her death remains an unsolved puzzle. The
truth buried in destroyed tapes and classified files ensures that
Marylyn's story, a blend of beauty, betrayal, and cosmic scny secrets,
continues to captivate and confound, a testament to her enduring
legacy as an icon and enigma.
Popular Podcasts
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com