Marilyn Monroe’s Eating and Exercise Habits Through the Years

Frankly, I’ve never considered my own figure so exceptional; until quite recently, I seldom gave it any thought at all.

Trigger warnings apply: Weight loss, weight gain, diet terminology

Marilyn Monroe has epitomised a figure that many consider the embodiment of sex appeal. A tiny waist, combined with large hips and bust has been deemed attractive attributes for decades and Marilyn was renowned for this voluptuous, hourglass figure. Of course, everyone’s physical preferences differ and Marilyn’s body type certainly does not suit everyone.

It’s important for me to point out that the following details regarding Marilyn’s eating and workout regimen are not endorsements or recommendations for personal health or fitness. This is purely to show what she did. Bodies are unique and diverse. Each person’s physiques responds to dietary and exercise routines in different ways based on their DNA and genetics. It’s also paramount that I point out that our value extends infinitely beyond the confines of weight or dress size. Prioritising your mental and physical well-being is key — the rest will naturally align with your health journey.

MARILYN’S WEIGHT AND MEASUREMENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

2nd August 1945 – Blue Book Modeling Agency

  • 120lbs (54.4kg/8.5 stone)
  • 36-24-34

1951

  • 36½-23-34

8th February 1954 – DOD ID Card

  • 118lbs (53.5kg/8.4 stone)

1955

  • 38-23-36

1959

  • Waist 28.5 inches

May 1962

  • Approximately 35½ – 23½ -33¼

5th August 1962 – LA Coroner Medical Report

  • 117lbs (53.1kg/8.3 stone)

“NORMA JEANE HUMAN BEAN”

Growing up, Norma Jeane stood out from her classmates. Naturally, tall and skinny the children at her school nastily nicknamed her “Norma Jeane Human Bean.” A boy in her class also cruelly commented, “I hope someday your legs fill out.”

However, like many girls, Marilyn began developing a shapely figure on the cusp of teenagerhood, resulting in getting attention from the opposite sex. She stated, “At twelve I looked like a girl of seventeen. My body was developed and shapely.”

As Marilyn had no money for a new blouse (and her others were torn) she wore another girl’s sweater, which was too small. Her teacher who was interviewed years later said that Norma Jeane was, “very much an average student, but she looked as though she wasn’t well cared for. Her clothes separated her a little bit from the rest of the girls.” However, the lack of well-fitting clothes accentuated Norma Jeane’s natural curves which drew in groups of boys on her way home from school, which she told Ben Hecht she thoroughly enjoyed.

“Even the girls paid a little attention to me just because they thought, ‘Hmmm, she’s to be dealt with!’ I had to walk to school, and it was just sheer pleasure. Ever fellow honked his horn, you know, workers driving to work, waving, and I’d wave back. The world became friendly.”

These famous curves would later be a household name alongside her films, quick-witted personality, and ethereal beauty.

1952 DIET AND WORKOUT

During her marriage to James Dougherty, Norma Jeane discovered the art of weightlifting, a practice she would maintain for the duration of her adult life.

By 1952, Marilyn Monroe had become a household name, and in that year she shared insights into her diet and exercise routines with Pageant Magazine. That year also saw her photographed by acclaimed photographers Andre de Dienes and Philippe Halsman, with the former’s snapshots being featured in an article by Pageant Magazine, capturing Marilyn engaging with her weightlifting regimen.

These images served to showcase not just her star quality but also her dedication to fitness, presenting a side of Marilyn that juxtaposed her glamorous public persona with her personal commitment to health and strength.

“Frankly, I’ve never considered my own figure so exceptional; until quite recently, I seldom gave it any thought at all. My biggest single concern used to be getting enough to eat. Now I have to worry about eating too much. I never used to bother with exercises. Now I spend at least 10 minutes each morning working out with small weights. I have evolved my own exercises, for the muscles I wish to keep firm, and I know they are right for me because I can feel them putting the proper muscles into play as I exercise.

She Doesn’t Like To Feel Regimented

Exercise. Each morning after I brush my teeth, wash my face and shake off the first deep layer of sleep, I lie down on the floor beside my bed and begin my first exercise. It is a simple bust-firming routine which consists of lifting five-pound weights from a spread-eagle arm position to a point directly above my head. I do this 15 times, slowly. I repeat the exercise another 15 times from a position with my arms above my head. Then, with my arms at a 45-degree angle from the floor, I move my weights in circles until I’m tired. I don’t count rhythmically like the exercise people on the radio; I couldn’t stand exercise if I had to feel regimented about it.

How To Feel Blond All Over

Sports. I have never cared especially for outdoor sports, and have no desire to excel at tennis, swimming, or golf. I’ll leave those things to the men. Despite its great vogue in California, I don’t think sun-tanned skin is any more attractive than white skin, or any healthier, for that matter. I’m personally opposed to a deep tan because I like to feel blond all over.

By nature, I suppose I have a languorous disposition. I hate to do things in a hurried, tense atmosphere, and it is virtually impossible for me to spring out of bed in the morning. On Sunday, which is my one day of total leisure, I sometimes take two hours to wake up, luxuriating in every last moment of drowsiness. Depending upon my activities, I sleep between five and ten hours every night. I sleep in an extra-wide single bed, and I use only one heavy down comforter over me, summer or winter. I have never been able to wear pajamas or creepy nightgowns; they disturb my sleep.

A Set of Bizarre Eating Habits

Breakfast. I’ve been told that my eating habits are absolutely bizarre, but I don’t think so. Before I take my morning shower, I start warming a cup of milk on the hot plate I keep in my hotel room. When it’s hot, I break two raw eggs into the milk, whip them up with a fork, and drink them while I’m dressing. I supplement this with a multi-vitamin pill, and I doubt if any doctor could recommend a more nourishing breakfast for a working girl in a hurry.

Dinner. My dinners at home are startlingly simple. Every night I stop at the market near my hotel and pick up a steak, lamb chops or some liver, which I broil in the electric oven in my room. I usually eat four or five raw carrots with my meat, and that is all. I must be part rabbit; I never get bored with raw carrots.

P.S. It’s a good thing, I suppose, that I eat simply during the day, for in recent months I have developed the habit of stopping off at Wil Wright’s ice cream parlor for a hot fudge sundae on my way home from my evening drama classes. I’m sure that I couldn’t allow myself this indulgence were it not that my normal diet is composed almost totally of protein foods.

WEIGHT GAIN

In the years 1958 and 1960, when Marilyn Monroe arrived to commence filming for “Some Like It Hot” and “The Misfits”, her appearance garnered unwarranted attention from the media, particularly regarding changes in her weight.

During the production of “Some Like It Hot”, Marilyn was navigating through the early stages of pregnancy, a time when it is completely natural for a woman’s body to undergo changes and gain weight. Nevertheless, the focus on her physique by the press was not only unnecessary but also reflective of a broader and persistent issue within media culture—a tendency to scrutinise and often stigmatise weight fluctuations, irrespective of the individual’s circumstances.

Marilyn, despite tabloid rumours, was not pregnant in 1960. It is more likely that Marilyn’s experiences with endometriosis, a condition often accompanied by significant bloating and other painful symptoms, would have likely contributed to her appearance during these times. This highlights a disconcerting reality: the propensity to make superficial judgments without understanding the underlying health challenges a person may be facing.

The narrative surrounding Marilyn’s body, as portrayed by the press, reflects a societal obsession with aesthetic ideals, overshadowing the individual’s well-being and the natural, healthy processes of the human body. It is a narrative that, regrettably, persists today, overshadowing more meaningful discussions about body positivity and health.

Above – Marilyn Monroe on the set of Some Like It Hot

Left – An article from 1960

1000 CALORIE DIET PLAN

In 2016, a diet plan personally owned by Marilyn Monroe and penned by Dr. Leon Krohn was auctioned, fetching a price of $3,437.50.

The document in question, typed and discovered within a notebook from 1958, could feasibly date from the period following Marilyn’s gallbladder operation in 1961. The procedure necessitated a diet low in fat and rich foods, yet the plan’s exact date remains unverified.

The regimen, described as a “Calorie Restricted Diet” allowing for 1000 (!!!) calories and 100 grams of protein daily, was lauded by Julien’s Auctions for its enduring validity. Even by today’s nutritional standards, the guide offers guidance, advocating for a reduction in sugar and fat intake. Carbohydrates were to be carefully selected, favouring whole wheat and prescribing “one small white potato boiled, baked, or riced” as a bread substitute.

As for the diet’s structure, it provided two alternatives for each meal, revolving principally around a selection of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources such as meat and fish.

AUGUST 1961

From “Mimosa” by Ralph Roberts:

Marilyn was delighted with the fact she had lost an awful lot of weight, effortlessly, on the diet prescribed after the gallbladder operation.

“And all the massages are keeping the body firm,” she said. “As a matter of fact, I think I have a better body than I’ve had since the early days at Fox. If you want to give the diet to any of your friends out here, I would certainly recommend it.”

Then, as if I didn’t know it by heart, she repeated it. “Before each meal, half a grapefruit. The grapefruit is better than half a glass of the juice because the bulk helps grind up fat. For breakfast, the whites of four eggs, I poach mine. The whites of eggs are among the highest concentrated protein anywhere – the yellow highest concentrated of fat. A piece of toast. Lunch, a tuna salad with greens and diet dressing. Or, the white meat of chicken or turkey. Dinner, a salad, a small baked potato, and a filet mignon, preferably charcoaled. If I get ravenously hungry mid-afternoon, a few bites of white meat of chicken, a few shrimp. Vary the steak with fish of some kind.

“I never feel the need of stuffing the face with bread, or sweets, and oddly enough, fruit…”

… I thought it’s interesting that in the diet I could pass on to other friends, she neglected to mention the split of champagne before dinner. I think that’s the main ingredient of any diet – relax.

“Along with her diet, Marilyn felt that a huge part of her losing weight was down to receiving regular massages with Ralph. She said to Ralph in September 1961, “Thanks to the diet and to you, I’m sure I could make the best impression for an awfully long spell” before going to a party with Frank Sinatra.

MARCH 1962

Ralph Roberts later comments in the book on how slim she looked in March 1962, ready for “Something’s Got To Give”.

She removed a loose jacket she was wearing and displayed her trim, firm body, very slender.

“Having those massages while losing all that blubber sure paid off. I went to the wardrobe at Fox the other day and tried on a dress I wore in “Gentlemen,” and it was a perfect fit everywhere but the waist and a teensy bit loose there. I’m better than I’ve ever been.”

Like anyone, Marilyn Monroe’s weight and physique naturally fluctuated throughout her life, shaped by the ever-changing circumstances and phases she encountered. Her approach to diet and exercise was not static; it adapted to meet the demands and experiences of her personal and professional life.

To reiterate the central point of this article, the information presented is intended solely for informative purposes. It is crucial to acknowledge that what was effective for Marilyn is not a prescriptive or advisable path for others. Health and nutritional science have evolved considerably since Marilyn’s era, and individual needs and circumstances vary widely.

Before embarking on any dietary or fitness regime, it is imperative to seek personalised advice. Consulting with healthcare professionals—be it a doctor, a registered dietitian, or a qualified personal trainer—is the safest and most effective way to explore and plan for weight management. They can provide tailored guidance that considers your unique health profile, ensuring your physical well-being and nutritional needs are met responsibly and sustainably.

Our Marilyn Monroe Instagram Permanently Deleted

I regret to inform my readers that Our Marilyn Monroe Instagram account has been permanently deleted I’ve deactivated our Patreon and have donated the accumulated funds to a charitable cause.

Despite this setback, I’ve decided to keep this website operational. I’ll continue to share content here, driven by inspiration and a passion for Marilyn’s legacy.

It’s truly disheartening to realise that the extensive research and effort I’ve invested, along with the community we’ve built together, have been erased. Losing the followers and work I’ve earnestly garnered over time is a significant blow. Nevertheless, I remain devoted to celebrating Marilyn Monroe’s enduring impact and will keep striving to share her story in new ways.

UPDATE 26 NOVEMBER 2023

I have emailed Instagram support, contacted them via Instagram and completed the necessary forms however, the forms would not be sent through as Instagram stated the decision has been made and no further reviews can be taken.

I logged into the account with this notice.

This implies I have been impersonating Marilyn Monroe via my page which was specifically categorised under Instagram as a Fan Page. Marilyn has also been dead for over 60 years.  

I have attempted all avenues of contact but to no avail, as of yet. I have also researched the “pay me and I will get it back for you method” however I find this practice incredibly unethical. One website quoted $1000 minimum.

Natasha Lytess: Friend or Foe?

Many a biography on Marilyn Monroe mentions Natasha Lytess, a figure who claimed, “I made Marilyn famous,” asserting her influence on Marilyn’s career. Contrarily, accounts also describe how after collaborating on more than 20 films, Marilyn abruptly severed ties with her acting coach of eight years. The reality of this situation, however, may be layered with complexity.

WHO IS NATASHA LYTESS?

Natasha Lytess, born Natalia Postmann in Berlin, sought refuge in Los Angeles from Nazi persecution. After her acting career in the U.S. didn’t pan out, she turned to coaching, and teaching stars like Mamie Van Doren and Virginia Leith.

In April 1948, at Columbia Pictures, Lytess was introduced to Marilyn, who she initially found grating, saying her “voice got on my nerves.” Nonetheless, Lytess took Marilyn under her wing, commencing an intensive coaching routine.

WORKING WITH MARILYN

Lytess began coaching Marilyn for “Ladies of the Chorus” (1948), which sparked a professional relationship that would span numerous projects. Natasha’s coaching was so integral that she left her Columbia position to work exclusively with Marilyn. Directors like John Huston saw the effect of Lytess’s coaching first-hand; by “The Misfits” (1960), Marilyn’s reliance on her acting coaches (then Paula Strasberg) during filming was evident.

Directors’ frustrations peaked when Marilyn sought Lytess’s approval on set, evidenced by Marilyn glancing towards her at crucial moments. Jean Negulesco, after multiple retakes, barred Lytess from the set of “How to Marry a Millionaire” — a decision he reversed when Marilyn insisted on Lytess’s presence.

Billy Wilder navigated this by telling Natasha how he wanted Marilyn to perform, setting a precedent that would challenge directors and strain Marilyn’s professional and personal relationships.

THE FRIENDSHIP

In late 1950, Marilyn and Natasha’s relationship intensified when Marilyn moved in with Natasha, her daughter, and maid, isolating Marilyn and focusing her life on her craft.

Natasha’s claim of a romantic dimension — “I took her in my arms one day, and I told her ‘I want to love you’” — stands in contrast to Marilyn’s own words in “My Story”: “Now having fallen in love, I knew what I was. It wasn’t a lesbian.” quashing the myth that Marilyn and Lytess had a romance.

Financial interdependence was also notable. Natasha earned $500 a week, plus $250 for the private courses she gave to Marilyn, meaning she was making more money than her student. In 1951, Marilyn asked the William Morris agency for a $200 deduction in her monthly salary from 20th Century Fox so that she may cover a dental bill of $1,800 for Natasha. Marilyn once sold a treasured gift from Johnny Hyde to assist Natasha financially, despite already paying her hefty weekly coaching fees.

Natasha’s aversion to Marilyn’s beau, Joe DiMaggio, was blunt — “He is a man with a closed, vapid look” — yet Marilyn’s affection for Joe was unfazed, leading to their marriage in 1954. Their professional parting came after “The Seven Year Itch,” when Marilyn, changing course in life, stopped taking Natasha’s calls.

OUT WITH THE OLD

Natasha’s public discussions of Marilyn, including unauthorised media appearances and interviews, likely contributed to Marilyn’s withdrawal. Despite her student being “insignificant” and that she would be “easily forgotten”, Natasha had no qualms when it came to talking about her to newspapers and gossip columnists. It isn’t a surprise that Marilyn had reached the end of her tether with Natasha by the end of 1954. As a private person, Marilyn wasn’t a fan of discussing her personal life with the media. However, Lytess felt zero shame in doing it for her, using Marilyn’s name as a gateway for her publicity. Lytess’s behaviour had bordered on the obsessive, as she remarked, “I am her private property, she knows that.” Plans for a tell-all book may have been the final straw in their professional rift.

Despite Joe DiMaggio’s purported influence, Marilyn’s independence was clear by 1955 in her decision to leave both Natasha and Joe behind. In March 1955, Natasha spoke with columnist Hedda Hopper stating she hadn’t “heard a peep” from the star. Although listed as an anonymous source, it can only be assumed that it was Natasha who spoke to Steven Cronin for an article titled “The Storm About Monroe”. This source stated “Marilyn Monroe doesn’t know her own mind” and was “unhappy while she was married to Joe DiMaggio”. Marilyn, however, kept her opinions of the dramatic coach to herself.

Despite not talking to Marilyn for half a decade, Natasha couldn’t seem to let Marilyn go. In 1960, researcher Jane Wilkie spoke to Natasha and ended up not publishing Lytess’ manuscript which did nothing but complain about her former pupil.

In 1962, Natasha had written yet another memoir which she sold for $10,000. Marilyn’s press agents attempted to purchase it back from France-Dimanche but the publishers said they’ll make more money by keeping it. The first article was entitled “Marilyn Monroe: Her Secret Life, I Made Her – Body and Soul.” As suggested by the title, the article is nothing but the ramblings of a woman who is obsessed with the sex life of Marilyn Monroe. The articles were published on 15, 22 and 29 July 1962, weeks before Marilyn passed away. The fourth instalment was published on the day Marilyn had been found dead in her home. However, Natasha didn’t stop her verbal abuse. She continued writing about Marilyn after the 5 August, discussing Marilyn’s death and why she had killed herself… And it was all because of men and how they viewed her as nothing but a sexual object.

The article never portrayed any sadness for Marilyn’s passing, just more bitterness. In 1964, before passing away from cancer, Natasha said “I wish I had one-tenth of Marilyn’s cleverness. The truth is, my life and my feelings were very much in her hands. I was the older one, the teacher, but she knew the depth of my attachment to her, and she exploited those feelings as only a beautiful younger person can. She said she was the needy one. Alas, it was the reverse. My life with her was a constant denial of myself.” This backhanded compliment demonstrates her relentless resentment and disdain which lasted for over ten years. Natasha continued her belittling remarks about Marilyn long after their communications had ended, and was obsessed with Marilyn’s sexual habits, love life, fame and career. 

This tangled narrative of mentorship, dependence, and eventual estrangement illuminates the fraught but impactful relationship between Marilyn Monroe and Natasha Lytess, leaving a legacy of influence and controversy.

Marilyn Monroe’s New York Hotel Escapades

Welcome to New York! Here you will embark on a journey through the glamour and beauty of some of the city’s most iconic hotels, as we trace the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe. While her career often led her to the sound stages of Hollywood, it was in the heart of New York City that she found solace, privacy, and a touch of home.

We are going to delve into the sanctuaries that Marilyn frequented, focussing solely on the hotels where she stayed during her life and illustrious career. And just to keep things concise, we’re sidestepping the hotels she merely visited for press conferences or public appearances.

As you’ll discover, each hotel carries its own narrative, offering more than just luxury accommodations. They were her retreats, her hideaways, and in some cases, the settings that bore witness to crucial chapters of her life. And for some of them, you could stay there too!

Sherry-Netherland Hotel (August 1952)

In August 1952, Marilyn Monroe appeared (and stayed) at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel, as part of the press tour for her newest movie, Monkey Business.

While Marilyn may not have held top billing in the film, her star power was undeniably on the rise. This was particularly evident as it had recently come to light that Marilyn had posed for a nude calendar three years prior, a revelation that had only heightened her public profile.

Interestingly, Marilyn’s co-star, Cary Grant, had been interviewed at the very same hotel by the renowned columnist Earl Wilson. During this interview, Grant emphatically asserted that Marilyn had committed no wrongdoing in posing for Tom Kelley’s iconic photographs. Grant’s support for Marilyn further underscored the changing perceptions and attitudes towards her, solidifying her status as a Hollywood luminary on the ascent.

The hotel’s luxurious setting provided the perfect backdrop for her press appearance, and Marilyn charmed both photographers and journalists with her radiant presence.

Hotel address: The Sherry-Netherland Hotel, 781 Fifth Avenue

St. Regis Hotel (September 1954)

Trigger warning: Domestic violence

In September 1954, during the filming of The Seven Year Itch, Marilyn occupied a suite at The St. Regis Hotel where she is photographed several times in her room as well as during press conferences and interviews.

Marilyn’s husband, Joe DiMaggio, would later accompany her to the hotel. It is during this time, that rumours and speculations have emerged about potential domestic disputes that allegedly occurred after the filming of the iconic subway grate scene. It’s important to note, however, that no concrete or credible evidence has ever substantiated these rumours. Given the tumultuous nature of their relationship during that period, it’s conceivable that disagreements might have arisen. Nevertheless, any claims of domestic violence should be approached with caution in the absence of verified documentation or reliable testimonies.

Marilyn and Joe checked out of the hotel later that day when the subway grate scene was filmed and flew back to Los Angeles. They separated a few weeks later due to “mental cruelty.” The couple continued to see each other until the summer of 1955 and were officially divorced in October 1955 (a year after going to court).

Marilyn’s matchbook from the hotel sold at Julien’s Auctions for $1,600 in 2022.

Hotel Address: St Regis Hotel, Two East 55th Street, Fifth Avenue

The Gladstone Hotel (January – March 1955 and January 1958)

The beginning of 1955 marked a new chapter in Marilyn’s life, as she made the bold decision to leave Hollywood in her rearview mirror and set her sights on the East Coast. In New York, she unveiled the formation of Marilyn Monroe Productions alongside her photographer, partner and friend, Milton Greene. Simultaneously, Marilyn dedicated herself to honing her craft as a committed student at The Actor’s Studio.

Despite their recent divorce, which was to be finalised the following October, Joe DiMaggio played a supportive role in Marilyn’s transition. He assisted her in moving into her apartment at The Gladstone Hotel, which she officially occupied on the 26th of January 1955. During this time, the pair was frequently spotted together in both New York City and Boston. However, both Marilyn and Joe consistently denied any plans for a reconciliation, despite their continued closeness.

Marilyn was photographed and filmed by fans on several occasions at the hotel capturing a “new” and glittering Marilyn.

Later in January 1958, she returned to the hotel for several days with her husband Arthur Miller despite having an apartment in the city. Invoices suggested they dined at the hotel as well as held meetings there.

Previous Address: 114 East 52nd Street, near Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue

Previous address: Park Avenue and 51st Street

The Ambassador Hotel (March-April 1955)

From March to April 1955, Marilyn stayed at the Ambassador Hotel. During her stay, she was photographed by Ed Feingersh as she got ready to attend the premiere of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as well as other events and during her day to day. It is those photos that are famous for showing both the glamour and intimate solitude of Marilyn’s life.

She also had a photo session here with Cecil Beaton in February 1956. 

Waldorf-Astoria (April – Fall of 1955)

In 1955, Marilyn Monroe rented suite 2728 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. However, due to the cost of her lavish suite, Marilyn left the hotel. Some of Marilyn’s private thoughts were noted on Waldorf Astoria stationery including a list of her preferred directors (below). After living at the hotel, she moved into 444 Sutton Place which would be her primary residence until 1961. 

Not only did she temporarily live in the hotel (which cost Marilyn Monroe Productions $1000 per week) but several events in her life and career took place here such as interviews, radio shows, The April in Paris Ball in 1957, the March of Dimes parade in 1958 and the after-party for The Prince and the Showgirl in 1957. 

Hotel Address: The Waldorf Astoria, 301 Park Ave

The Lexington Hotel (1960-1962)

The Lexington Hotel’s website and branding claim that Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio resided there following their 1954 marriage while Monroe was filming The Seven Year Itch. This has even led to the dedication of a room named ‘The Norma Jean Suite.’ However, closer scrutiny reveals that this narrative conflicts with established timelines and available evidence concerning Marilyn and Joe’s whereabouts.

To begin with, Marilyn and Joe tied the knot in January 1954, while the filming of The Seven Year Itch took place in September of the same year. Therefore, the claim that they stayed at the Lexington Hotel during this period seems unlikely. Moreover, existing photographic evidence and records confirm that the couple stayed at the St. Regis Hotel, casting further doubt on The Lexington’s claims. As it stands, there is no substantiated evidence to suggest that they stayed at the Lexington Hotel during the 1950s.

However, it’s worth noting that Joe did indeed reside at the Lexington Hotel during the 1960s. Before a rebranding effort, the suite he stayed in was initially called the ‘Midfielder Suite’ in his honour, only to be later renamed. While there is no concrete proof that Marilyn ever stayed at the hotel, there is some indirect evidence linking her to the location. Ralph Roberts, her friend and masseuse, stated that he had accompanied her to the hotel on multiple occasions. Additionally, she left messages for Joe there several times.

In summary, while the Lexington Hotel does have some historical connections to DiMaggio and, indirectly, to Marilyn, its promotional narrative appears to be more fiction than fact.

Note: In 2022, I received an invitation to stay at the hotel at a preferential rate. I was open to accepting this offer, as long as the hotel could provide evidence to corroborate their claims that Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio had indeed stayed there during the promoted period. Despite their assurances, they failed to provide the requisite proof. Consequently, I had no choice but to decline the opportunity. The room is undoubtedly exquisite, and it seems plausible that Marilyn Monroe might have stayed there in 1961. However, I could not in good conscience accept the offer without factual confirmation of the claims being made.

Hotel Address: The Lexington Hotel, 511 Lexington Avenue