The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe

J. Randy Taraborrelli

Aug 2009 · Sold by Grand Central Publishing

About this ebook

From New York Times bestselling author J. Randy Taraborrelli comes the definitive biography of the most enduring icon in popular American culture.

When Marilyn Monroe became famous in the 1950s, the world was told that her mother was either dead or simply not a part of her life. However, that was not true. In fact, her mentally ill mother was very much present in Marilyn's world and the complex family dynamic that unfolded behind the scenes is a story that has never before been told...until now. In this groundbreaking book, Taraborrelli draws complex and sympathetic portraits of the women so influential in the actress' life, including her mother, her foster mother, and her legal guardian.

He also reveals, for the first time, the shocking scope of Marilyn's own mental illness, the identity of Marilyn's father and the half-brother she never knew, and new information about her relationship with the Kennedy's-Bobby, Jack, and Pat Kennedy Lawford. Explosive, revelatory, and surprisingly moving, this is the final word on the life of one of the most fascinating and elusive icons of the 20th Century.

Ratings and reviews

Expect a primer for Hollywood. The author at one point calls attention to the fact that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is MGM or Metro as those in the know called it. If you know nothing about Ms. Monroe, this is the book for you. Poor grammar. Terrible spelling. There's also a fan mag style that kinda grates after a while. There are new sources and the book's good at timelines. It's just heavy-handed in suggesting Marilyn was nuts because she came from a long line of mentally ill relatives.

This is quite a book and includes a lot of great information about Marilyn from beginning to end. I loved how it mentions other sources and how they reported incorrect information. It makes this book a true source of Marilyn. It really put a human side to Marilyn and made me realize she wasn't just a pill popping blonde. Makes me want to watch all her movies all over again!

I am a big MM fan. I bought this book on a whim and truely worth reading. This book followed through her birth, childhood, 1 St marriage, modeling career, and finally her rise to stardom. The author used the interviews from many people who were deeply involved in MM 's life. It also contains 25 pages of photos that are worth buying the book alone.

About the author

J. Randy Taraborrelli is a respected journalist, a recognizable entertainment personality, and in-demand guest on many television programs including Today, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Entertainment Tonight, and CNN Headline News. He is the bestselling author of thirteen books.