Conspiracy theories about Marilyn Monroe
Conspiracy theories are a very common phenomenon; many people like to believe that behind everyday life there are hidden secrets or mysteries that are not told. Celebrities, living under constant public scrutiny, have always been prime targets for such theories, either to discredit them, exaggerate their lives, or add drama to their public image. Marilyn Monroe, as one of the most famous —if not the most famous— actresses in history, has not been an exception and has been the focus of numerous conspiracy theories. Some of these theories contain a small kernel of truth that has been exaggerated, while others are completely fabricated. The purpose of this article is to debunk some of these conspiracy theories in a clear and concise manner, although I hope to create several more detailed articles on the topic in the future. It is important to refute these theories because, in addition to distorting history, they can damage Marilyn’s reputation and that of the people close to her. Many of these ideas are absurd, yet there are always those who believe them, which makes it necessary to address them with rigor and evidence.
Marilyn Monroe was killed by the goverment
The Great Conspiracy Theory: “Marilyn Monroe Was Killed by the Government”
One of the most famous conspiracy theories about Marilyn Monroe claims that she was assassinated by the U.S. government. In short, this theory argues that Marilyn allegedly had a romantic relationship with the Kennedy brothers, who supposedly revealed highly sensitive political secrets. According to proponents, this would have put Marilyn in danger, and the government allegedly decided to kill her to prevent her from disclosing confidential information. The first proponents of this theory were Frank Capell and Norman Mailer. Capell was an extremist who considered the Kennedys communists and claimed that Marilyn’s murder was part of a communist operation. He provided no evidence, and the FBI disproved his claims in its files. Although absurd, Capell’s theory had the merit of being published while Robert Kennedy was still alive, allowing some possibility of rebuttal. Norman Mailer later admitted that his story was false and wrote it mainly to sell books.
The theory became more elaborate with Robert Slatzer, who claimed to be a close friend of Marilyn and even married her for three days in 1952. Slatzer added new elements: a “red diary” Marilyn supposedly carried everywhere, where she recorded political secrets told by the Kennedys, including alleged plans to assassinate Castro or actions against the mafia. According to him, Robert Kennedy ended the relationship, and Marilyn, furious, planned a press conference to reveal the information, at which point she was allegedly killed.
However, Slatzer’s claims fall apart under scrutiny:
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No one close to Marilyn recognized him as a friend. Only a few photos exist from the set of Niagara, likely taken by him sneaking in. No later photos exist, especially not from 1962.
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The supposed three-day marriage is false. Slatzer claimed they married in Mexico and that Fox prohibited it and destroyed the evidence. Records show Marilyn was in Los Angeles during that time, with receipts and event attendance proving the marriage could not have happened.
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There is no evidence of a red diary. Jeanne Carmen, another alleged close friend, was not recognized as such. Marilyn had notebooks and writings that ended up with the Strasbergs after her death, compiled in Fragments, Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters. These were fragmentary and incomplete, not systematic diaries.
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No one in Marilyn’s inner circle confirms that she carried a diary to events. Amy Greene mentioned a diary, but living with Marilyn is not the same as carrying it everywhere. Moreover, Marilyn was one of the most photographed people in history, and no photo shows this supposed diary.
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The press conference idea is implausible. Marilyn was reserved, shy, and trusting, but not vindictive. She never publicly attacked ex-lovers or friends. Attempting revenge against the Kennedys would have jeopardized important friendships with Peter Lawford and Pat Kennedy, inconsistent with her sensitive personality.
It is important to note that Marilyn was friends with the Kennedys. It is possible she had some closeness with John Kennedy, though unconfirmed, while encounters with Robert Kennedy were limited and without evidence of romance. The notion that the Kennedys revealed political secrets is absurd; even the First Ladies did not know such information. Documented interactions with the Kennedys mostly concerned civil rights and social issues of the time.
Later theorists simply recycle Slatzer’s inventions, including the diary and press conference. For example, Fred Otash claimed to have planted microphones in Marilyn’s and Peter Lawford’s homes, allegedly hired by Jimmy Hoffa. There is no evidence of this, a friend disproved it, and no recordings exist. Others claimed that Ralph Greenson, Marilyn’s psychiatrist, was a communist using her to gather information. Anthony Summers interviewed the Greenson family and confirmed that, aside from Danny Greenson (progressive liberal), the rest were moderate liberals. Ralph supported Marilyn speaking with Kennedy, without any indication of communist espionage.
In summary:
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Slatzer had no relationship with Marilyn in 1962.
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There was no three-day marriage.
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No “red diary” existed.
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Marilyn did not plan a vindictive press conference.
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No evidence exists of microphones or spying in her home.
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Ralph Greenson was not a communist agent.
Therefore, the theory that the government killed Marilyn is completely unfounded. All claims about assassination, political secrets, or espionage are inventions of sensationalist and conspiratorial authors and have no support in historical reality.
Marilyn Monroe was killed by the mafia
Another conspiracy theory about Marilyn Monroe claims that she was killed by the mafia. According to this version, Marilyn supposedly had a romantic relationship with Robert Kennedy, and because he was conducting a campaign against organized crime, the mafia allegedly killed her to send a message and harm him.
However, this theory can be easily debunked:
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As previously mentioned, Marilyn and the Kennedys were friends. There is no confirmed romantic relationship. With John Kennedy, there may have been a brief affair, but nothing serious. In Robert Kennedy’s case, the idea is even less likely: they had very few encounters, Robert had no significant history of infidelity, and sources suggesting a romance are purely rumors. Many of Marilyn’s friends and associates deny any such relationship, and Robert Kennedy himself denied it.
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Even if a relationship had existed, the mafia would have needed to be sure of it, which is unclear. Moreover, Frank Sinatra, a close friend of Marilyn, had known connections to members of organized crime. It makes no sense for them to kill the friend of an ally.
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Finally, the mafia’s modus operandi makes this theory implausible. They typically act violently and directly to send messages. An overdose, as in Marilyn’s case, is not a typical mafia method and would not have sent a clear message to Robert Kennedy.
In conclusion, the idea that the mafia killed Marilyn to harm Robert Kennedy is baseless. It is another sensationalist invention that does not hold up against historical evidence and the testimony of those who knew her.
Marilyn Monroe wasn´t killed by the goverment, But there was a cover-up
Another widespread conspiracy theory claims that although the U.S. government did not kill Marilyn Monroe, there were political secrets and a cover-up surrounding her death. This theory mainly originates from writer Anthony Summers, who asserts that Marilyn had an affair with Robert Kennedy, that she kept a supposed diary, and that she was planning an explosive press conference. According to Summers, although no state secrets were involved, the FBI was concerned about Marilyn’s friendship with Frederick Vanderbilt Field, an exiled communist in Mexico. Summers also claims that Robert Kennedy visited Marilyn’s house the day she died, and that evidence was subsequently removed.
The main problem with this theory is that Summers relies on questionable sources, such as Norman Mailer and Robert Slatzer, the latter being a thoroughly discredited liar. Summers selectively accepts what suits his narrative, like the supposed diary, while dismissing facts that contradict it, revealing clear methodological inconsistencies.
A particularly illustrative example is his use of testimony from filmmaker José Bolaños. Summers records Bolaños’ claim that Marilyn told him she had a “blinding row” with Robert Kennedy over Cuba, yet:
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All other sources —Danny Greenson, Marilyn herself, an assistant at the event, and Jean Kennedy Smith— describe the February 1, 1962 meeting as positive.
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Greenson prepared moderate political questions for Marilyn, and Cuba was not among them.
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Marilyn later wrote enthusiastically about Robert Kennedy and the meeting, focusing mainly on civil rights.
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The alleged argument does not match any other source and contradicts historical documentation.
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Bolaños also lied about other matters, such as claiming he and Marilyn were going to get married, which Summers dismisses… except when it fits his narrative.
Summers also claims that the FBI feared Marilyn might reveal sensitive Kennedy information to Field. However, FBI files do not support this. What they did investigate was whether Marilyn had leftist sympathies, a typical concern of the agency at the time. For example, an FBI document notes that Marilyn questioned the president about the morality of nuclear tests; Summers interprets this as concern over leaks to Field, but it simply reflects the agency’s bias against left-leaning individuals, not a fear of political secrets.
Another pillar of Summers’ story is Eunice Murray, who in one of her many versions claimed that Robert Kennedy was at Marilyn’s house the day she died. However:
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Murray repeatedly changed her story.
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She was not trusted by Marilyn’s inner circle; Pat Newcomb openly doubted her reliability.
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Murray was an FBI informant and even lied to harm Marilyn, falsely claiming that Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller, and Frank Sinatra had rejected her, or that Marilyn had an affair with Field, which is nearly impossible since Field was married and Marilyn had an open relationship with DiMaggio.
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The FBI concluded that it was Murray, not Marilyn, who had leftist connections.
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Murray had a personal motive to shift attention to Robert Kennedy: Marilyn died while under her care, and blaming Kennedy deflected responsibility from her.
Moreover, Donald McGovern published a detailed study proving that Robert Kennedy was not at Marilyn’s house on the day of her death, consistent with FBI documentation.
Despite this, authors like Lois Banner uncritically accepted many of Summers’ claims, ignoring serious non-conspiratorial researchers such as Donald Spoto and Barbara Leaming. This selective bias speaks volumes about the reliability of her work.
In conclusion, Summers’ theory collapses easily due to:
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Reliance on Slatzer, a discredited witness.
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Internal inconsistencies and selective use of sources.
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Clear contradictions with verifiable historical documentation.
- The factual impossibility of many events he describes.
Marilyn Monroe was a communist
Marilyn Monroe was a communist: this conspiracy theory relies on three main claims:
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that the FBI investigated her,
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that she had ties to supposedly suspicious individuals,
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and Lois Banner’s misleading or inaccurate statements.
To debunk it properly, let’s go step by step, starting with the third point.
Lois Banner claims that Marilyn supported Fidel Castro, but this comes from a flawed interpretation of a letter Marilyn wrote to Lester Markel in March 1960. At that time, Castro had not yet declared himself a communist and still enjoyed considerable support in the United States. In the letter, Marilyn does not express any explicit support for him. She merely says that the United States had done little to help Cubans develop democracy and criticizes the American press for mocking Castro’s appearance instead of providing serious coverage. Moreover, Marilyn states in the same letter that she was raised to believe deeply in democracy, expresses admiration for several U.S. political figures, and even says that her ideal president would be William O. Douglas. None of this aligns with communist sympathies.
Regarding her friendships with “suspicious” individuals: yes, Marilyn had friends who had been communists or close to the communist movement in the past—Arthur Miller, Elia Kazan, Paula Strasberg, Norman Rosten, and others. But none of them were communists when Marilyn knew them. Some people mistakenly believe that Arthur Miller was a communist, but he definitely was not during their marriage. Her only confirmed communist acquaintance was Frederick Vanderbilt Field, though he was not a close friend but a minor social contact. Some have suggested that José Bolaños was a communist, but that is unproven, and his relationship with Marilyn was brief and mostly centered around parties, alcohol, and pills, making it unlikely that Marilyn ever knew or discussed his political ideas, even if those rumors were true. Marilyn was critical of McCarthyism and was not anti-communist; she was simply open-minded and non-sectarian. That is why she could be friendly with a communist like Vanderbilt Field and, at the same time, with Republicans such as Jane Russell or Clark Gable. That reflects tolerance, not communist ideology.
As for the FBI: yes, the FBI investigated her during the McCarthy era, but that was extremely common in Hollywood. They also investigated Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, and even Democrats like Eleanor Roosevelt. Marilyn’s FBI file is actually very small: officially 85 pages, but many are about Arthur Miller or mentions in books by Frank Capell and Norman Mailer. The material directly about Marilyn likely amounts to fewer than 40 pages. Compared to the nearly 4,000 pages on Eleanor Roosevelt, it is trivial. And the essential point is this: Marilyn was never summoned before HUAC, never blacklisted, never charged with anything. If the FBI only examined her superficially and quickly dropped it, it means there was nothing there. The file contains baseless rumors—such as a supposed visa request to the USSR, which Marilyn denied outright. She explained she had not applied for such a visa, although she might visit Russia or Europe out of interest in art, culture, and tourism. There were also rumors that Marilyn Monroe Productions was a “communist front,” something the FBI did not even bother to investigate seriously. The FBI also noted her connection to Miller, her brief meeting with Vanderbilt Field in Mexico, and comments Marilyn made when talking with the Kennedys—comments the agency deemed “left-leaning,” such as questioning the morality of nuclear testing or expressing concern for America’s youth. It is worth noting that in the Mexico episode, their main informant was Eunice Murray, who is known to exaggerate and distort information. Even so, despite these unreliable sources, the FBI concluded that there was no evidence that the Communist Party was using Marilyn Monroe directly or indirectly, nor that she had any ties to communist organizations.
The truth is simple: Marilyn was not a communist. She was registered as a Democrat, admired several mainstream American political figures, and her greatest political hero was Abraham Lincoln. She also wrote that William O. Douglas would be her ideal president. She held progressive views on social issues but rarely spoke about economics and showed little interest in the subject. Her relationship with Arthur Miller does not change this. Although Miller criticized capitalism, his critique was moderate: he wrote essays questioning aspects of the system, but he also did advertising work, founded his own company, produced his own film, and had an interest in the stock market. None of this fits a communist profile, and it certainly does not make Marilyn a communist. Above all, Marilyn genuinely believed in democracy. One cannot hold a sincere belief in democracy and be a supporter of a totalitarian system like communism at the same time. And in her letter to Markel she even praised Rockefeller as “more liberal than many Democrats,” a phrase that implies she viewed that approach favorably.
Marilyn Monroe was bisexual
The conspiracy theory concerning Marilyn Monroe’s alleged bisexuality is based almost entirely on rumors that appeared only after her death. The supposed affairs with Natasha Lytess, Joan Crawford, and Brigitte Bardot are undocumented and raise serious credibility issues when examined closely.
In the case of Natasha Lytess, it is true that she showed romantic and sexual interest in Marilyn; several accounts support this. However, Marilyn saw Lytess strictly as an acting coach and professional mentor. While rumors suggest that something might have happened, the most likely scenario is that it did not. And even if such an encounter had occurred, it may well have been due to pressure or discomfort rather than genuine desire. Lytess was known for being intrusive, controlling, and overly involved in Marilyn’s personal life, which makes any hypothetical encounter questionable and not necessarily indicative of Marilyn’s orientation. The rumor involving Joan Crawford is even less plausible. It supposedly happened around 1947, when Marilyn had just entered Hollywood and was virtually unknown, while Crawford was already a major established star. The odds that they even met at that time are slim, and the idea of a sexual encounter is even more unlikely. Moreover, Crawford later expressed strong dislike for Marilyn, which does not support the idea of a past intimate relationship. The Brigitte Bardot rumor, allegedly occurring before Marilyn met Queen Elizabeth II, is outright absurd. In 1956 Marilyn was newly married to Arthur Miller and traveled to England to film The Prince and the Showgirl. There is no evidence that Marilyn and Bardot ever met during that period, much less that they had a sexual relationship.
Marilyn once confessed she thought she might be a lesbian “until she fell in love with a man,”. Ralph Greenson claimed that Marilyn was uncomfortable with anything even slightly homosexual. However, according to W.J. Weatherby, Marilyn defended Montgomery Clift for being gay and said that “no kind of sex is wrong if there is love.” Both views can coexist: Marilyn was compassionate and open-minded, yet might have felt uneasy when such insinuations were directed at her personally. Lois Banner once again amplifies this theory without acknowledging that it relies mostly on posthumous speculation. She also ignores that Marilyn’s personal writings—many collected in the book Fragments—focus entirely on emotional and romantic relationships with men. Her poems, letters, and notes consistently reflect heterosexual romantic feelings. Unlike other conspiracy theories that damage Marilyn’s reputation or invent sensational events, this one is not harmful. Even if Marilyn had been bisexual, it would simply be a private aspect of her life. However, the theory remains speculative, based on weak testimonies and rumors that arose after her death. With the available evidence, it cannot be completely dismissed, but it is certainly unlikely.
Clark Gable died because of Marilyn Monroe
Another recurring conspiracy theory claims that Marilyn Monroe was responsible for Clark Gable’s death, suggesting that her lateness on set or the number of takes she required during the filming of The Misfits triggered the heart attack that killed him. This theory is both unfair and easily disproven by basic facts.
To begin with, Gable died several weeks after filming had ended, not during it, which makes it impossible to draw a direct connection between the shooting schedule and his heart attack. In addition, Gable was a heavy smoker and likely also a frequent drinker, both of which are well-known risk factors for heart disease. It is also untrue that Marilyn was the only person who faced difficulties during production. Montgomery Clift was dealing with severe personal issues, John Huston was known for drinking excessively, and Arthur Miller was under emotional and creative strain. Blaming Marilyn alone is not only incorrect but also a malicious oversimplification of a complicated shoot. Furthermore, Gable was pushed to perform physically demanding scenes despite being nearly 60 years old. He insisted on doing several strenuous sequences involving horses, requiring strength and endurance. This level of physical exertion, far more than any delays caused by Marilyn, could have significantly affected his health.
Finally, there is no evidence of any tension between Marilyn and Gable. In fact, they got along extremely well. Marilyn admired him deeply and spoke warmly of him even after his death, which affected her emotionally. Nothing in their relationship supports the conspiracy theory. In conclusion, the claim that Marilyn Monroe was responsible for Clark Gable’s death is false. It stems from prejudice, rumor, and the persistent tendency to cast Marilyn as the scapegoat for anything negative around her.
Marilyn Monroe was a drug addict
Some have claimed that she was also an alcoholic. This is false. While it is true that she sometimes drank too much at parties or in specific social situations, she was not a habitual drinker, nor did she exhibit behaviors typical of alcoholism. She was not known to come home drunk, drink alone, or frequent bars for that purpose. In fact, she was not particularly fond of partying, which makes these episodes infrequent rather than symptoms of addiction. Interestingly, Marilyn quit smoking in the mid-1950s. It is unclear whether she ever had a true nicotine addiction. Although there are many photos of her smoking, most appear to be staged for social settings or publicity shots. There is no evidence that she was a regular smoker or that she relied on tobacco. Another crucial point is that Marilyn did not use illegal drugs. There is no evidence that she ever took marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or similar substances. An article describes supposed parties Marilyn attended in Mexico, implying that there were pills, alcohol, and possibly cocaine. This is untrue: Marilyn did not use such drugs, and people close to her confirm it. There is also a rumor that she tried LSD once, but it is unconfirmed and likely false.
In short, Marilyn Monroe was not a drug addict in the sensationalistic sense often promoted. She became dependent on legally prescribed medication due to legitimate health issues and poor medical supervision, but she did not use illegal drugs, nor was she addicted to alcohol or nicotine. Calling her a “drug addict” is unfair, simplistic, and deeply dehumanizing, especially considering that the substances she depended on were the very ones meant to help her.
Marilyn Monroe was always depressed and she was a Hollywood toy
Marilyn was depressive: this idea is often presented as an unquestionable truth, but it needs many nuances. When people say Marilyn was depressive, they usually don’t refer to a specific clinical diagnosis. They refer instead to an exaggerated image: that she was always sad, always broken, always suffering. It is the version popularized by the film Blonde, portraying her as Hollywood’s eternal victim, exploited, mistreated and permanently miserable while pretending to smile for the cameras. This view is false and overly simplistic.
Marilyn did not live in a constant state of sadness. Most evidence and testimonies suggest she likely had bipolar disorder or some form of cyclothymia. Billy Wilder, who worked closely with her, captured it perfectly: “she had days of deep happiness and days of deep sadness.” This matches what friends and colleagues said: Marilyn could be radiant, enthusiastic and full of life on some days, and overwhelmed or fragile on others. She was neither Elsie Marina, the cheerful and uncomplicated character from her films, nor the permanently destroyed victim that certain retellings exaggerate. People often focus on two parts of her life: her difficult childhood and her final years. But those periods do not define her entire existence. Marilyn in 1952—determined, ambitious, energetic—was not the same as Marilyn in 1960, a year made difficult by her failing marriage to Arthur Miller. Like anyone, she had bright moments and dark ones. Just as she had painful divorces, she also had joyful weddings. And although her childhood was hard, some aspects tend to be dramatized, and once she reached adolescence, her life improved significantly. In fact, her teenage years were very positive, though rarely mentioned.
Her mood swings could be more intense than average, probably due to a bipolar component. When she was happy, she was explosively joyful; when she was sad, she felt it deeply. Her last years were difficult, but far from the hellish existence some portray. And in fact, 1962 was emotionally better for her than the two previous years. Seeing her as a “broken toy” constantly manipulated by Hollywood is also inaccurate. Marilyn clashed with studios and with individuals who treated her poorly, yes, but she also asserted her independence many times and made decisions on her own terms. Most people who truly knew her describe her as warm, humorous, kind and beloved.
In short, Marilyn was not a permanently depressed woman nor a helpless, broken figure. She was a complex person with emotional highs and lows—sometimes very intense ones—who experienced joy, ambition, love, frustration and sorrow like anyone else, though magnified by clinical factors and the pressures of fame.
Marilyn Monroe was dirty
This theory claims that Marilyn had poor hygiene, that she rarely showered, could wear the same clothes for days, and even left food in her bed. These claims largely originate from a Clark Gable biographer who repeated them without proper context. The theory contains a small kernel of truth, but it has been heavily distorted.
It is true that during periods of deep sadness or depressive episodes, Marilyn sometimes neglected her hygiene: showering less, staying in the same clothes, or allowing her room to become messy. This aligns with common symptoms of depressive or bipolar episodes, where apathy and emotional exhaustion can disrupt daily routines. However, this behavior was not her norm. Under normal circumstances, when she was emotionally stable or in good spirits, Marilyn was very attentive to her appearance and cleanliness. She showered frequently, followed strict skincare routines —partly due to dermatological issues— and understood that as a major star she had to maintain a high level of personal care. This is supported by accounts from close friends such as Amy Greene, as well as Marilyn’s own statements.
The idea that she consistently left food in her bed is not proven, and it likely stems from isolated moments of emotional distress, not a habitual practice. As a top Hollywood icon, constantly involved in photoshoots, film sets and public events, she could not afford to be routinely unhygienic. What she experienced were specific, exceptional episodes of neglect related to her emotional state, but these do not define her daily life or her true habits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the conspiracy theories surrounding Marilyn Monroe not only distort her life but also obscure any genuine understanding of who she truly was, both as a person and as an artist. Over the years, sensationalism, unfounded rumors, and the biases of different eras have created an exaggerated —or completely fictional— version of Marilyn: a woman murdered by the government, a target of the mafia, a communist agent, someone perpetually depressed or emotionally shattered, an uncontrollable addict, or even a person defined by personality traits invented by others. Yet when the facts are examined calmly, cross-checked and separated from speculation, it becomes clear that most of these theories rest on rumors, misinterpretations, or outright fabrications.
Marilyn was a complex woman with strengths and weaknesses, like any human being. She faced real struggles —mental health issues, insecurities, dependency on prescribed medications— but she also experienced great joy, meaningful friendships, important relationships, artistic achievements, and a continuous desire for self-improvement. She was not a “broken toy” nor a passive figure manipulated by Hollywood, but a woman who fought for her career, made her own choices, and left an indelible mark on 20th-century culture.
Debunking these theories does not mean idealizing her; it means returning her humanity. Understanding Marilyn without conspiracy myths allows us to truly appreciate her legacy, her vulnerability, and her strength. And above all, it reminds us that behind the world-famous icon there was a real woman—far more interesting, nuanced, and authentic than any fabricated story could ever be.
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