Here's How Old Marilyn Monroe Was When She Tragically Died
Despite her relatively short-lived career, Marilyn Monroe — who's being portrayed by Ana de Armas in an upcoming biopic — proved to be one of the most dominant forces in the American entertainment industry throughout Hollywood's Golden Age. After skyrocketing to fame in the early '50s (partly spurred by the fact that nude images of her had appeared in Playboy magazine several years prior), she was soon given top billing for the film noir "Niagara" in 1953. It was this project that ultimately elevated her to star status — a recognition that she still holds to this day.
However, fans of Monroe know that her personal life was plagued by numerous ailments, such as unhealthy drug and alcohol use, mood disorders, and relationship troubles, including three marriages and divorces. Despite all this, her career persisted, and she likely had a long and successful future in the industry ahead of her when her life was tragically cut short by her mysterious death in 1962. But how old was she when she died? Many people might be surprised by just how young Monroe was when she passed away.
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Marilyn Monroe was only 36 when she died
Famed actor Marilyn Monroe was only 36 years old when she died at the height of her career in 1962. According to History, Monroe was found in bed in her Los Angeles home in the early morning hours on Sunday, August 5, by her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, who was staying at the residence overnight. Murray reportedly found Monroe lying face down, nude, with a telephone in one hand and empty pill bottles scattered around the room. The coroner later declared that the "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" star had died of an overdose of barbiturates — medication prescribed to treat her depression.
According to the Independent, Monroe's psychiatrist, Ralph Greenson, came to her house around 4:30 p.m. the previous afternoon for a therapy session. After the session was over, she allegedly asked Murray to stay overnight to keep her company. Monroe later received a phone call from actor Peter Lawford, who quickly became alarmed as she sounded intoxicated and depressed. According to Lawford, she told him, "Say goodbye to Pat, say goodbye to the President, and say goodbye to yourself, because you're a nice guy." At the time, Lawford was married to Patricia Kennedy, the sister of then-President John F. Kennedy.
Monroe's death also took place one year after her divorce from famed playwright Arthur Miller.
Marilyn Monroe's death was ruled a suicide
Due to the circumstances surrounding her death and the number of pills she had ingested, the official ruling by the coroner was that Marilyn Monroe committed suicide. According to AP News, coroner Thomas T. Noguchi performed the autopsy on Monroe's body and eventually concluded that the "Some Like It Hot" actor's death was "caused by a self-administered overdose of sedative drugs," and that the "mode of death is probable suicide."
Monroe's death also notably came two months after 20th Century Fox fired her during the production of her final (uncompleted) film, titled "Something's Got to Give," publicly lambasting her for her lack of professionalism and consistent absences. Monroe attempted a comeback, however, posing for photos and giving multiple interviews to Vogue, Life, and Cosmopolitan in the last two months of her life.
"I now live in my work and in a few relationships with the few people I can really count on," she said in her final interview to Life, published only two days before her death. "Fame will go by, and so long, I've had you, fame. If it goes by, I've always known it was fickle. So, at least it's something I experienced, but that's not where I live."
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).