In 2023, biographer J. Randy Taraborelli claimed in his book Jackie: Public, Private, Secret that Marilyn Monroe had made a phone call to Jackie Kennedy in April of 1962. This revelation has sparked interest and speculation about the alleged interaction between the two iconic figures. However, upon closer examination and fact-checking, several discrepancies and uncertainties emerge regarding the details of this phone call and its context.
THE ALLEGED PHONE CALL
According to Taraborelli’s book, Marilyn Monroe called the Hyannis Port residence of John F. Kennedy, but Jackie Kennedy answered instead. Taraborelli suggests that Marilyn simply wanted to say “hello” to Jack, leaving Jackie “stunned.” Taraborelli claims that Jackie described Marilyn’s voice as “haunting” and noted its sad and ethereal quality. The book describes how Jackie’s sister, Lee Radziwill, was friends with Marilyn and had heard rumours about an affair with Robert Kennedy too.
INCONSISTENCIES
While Taraborelli presents this phone call as a pivotal moment, it is essential to consider the lack of concrete evidence supporting its occurrence. Without direct testimony or corroborating records, we must approach these claims with caution. Moreover, Taraborelli’s reliance on family members’ recollections adds an additional layer of uncertainty, as memories and perceptions can be influenced by time and personal biases.
Additionally, it is worth noting that J. Randy Taraborelli has faced criticism in the past for potential inaccuracies and errors in his biographies, particularly those related to Marilyn Monroe. This raises the question of the reliability and credibility of the information presented in his books. It is not uncommon for authors to embellish or create stories to generate interest and sell books, adding to the already existing rumours and speculations surrounding famous figures. For instance, the case of Allan Whitey Snyder, Marilyn’s makeup artist and friend, provided a foreword for Robert Slatzer’s book and shared tales with Anthony Summers about Marilyn and Slatzer’s alleged relationship despite a lack of substantial evidence. These instances serve as reminders to approach such claims with caution and to critically evaluate the sources and their motives.
DATES AND LOCATIONS
Taraborelli states that the alleged affair between Marilyn and John F. Kennedy occurred on March 24, 1962, during a weekend at Bing Crosby’s Palm Springs home. Which is the most accurate item in his statements. Jackie was in India and Pakistan at the time with her sister.
As for the phone call taking place in April 1962, historical records and newspaper reports from that time do not provide conclusive evidence of Jackie’s presence at Hyannis Port. Instead, official archives indicate that Jackie was engaged in official duties and travels in Washington, Palm Beach, and Arlington during that period. Marilyn’s telephone records, which have been publicly available, do not include the Hyannis Port phone number, further casting doubt on the claim.
LEE RADZIWILL
There is no evidence to suggest a personal relationship or direct interactions between Marilyn Monroe and Lee Radziwill, Jackie Kennedy’s sister. Marilyn and Lee belonged to different social circles, making it unlikely that they had a close connection. While it is possible that Lee may have heard rumours about an alleged affair with either Kennedy, the association between the Kennedys and Marilyn Monroe did not gain prominence until the 1970s.
JACKIE’S ABSENCE FROM BIRTHDAY GALA
Contrary to the claim made by Taraborelli, Jackie Kennedy’s absence from the famous event at Madison Square Garden, where Marilyn performed “Happy Birthday, Mr President,” was not directly related to any alleged phone call. Jackie had other engagements in Washington, D.C., and Virginia at that time. The event itself was a fundraiser, not solely a celebration of the President’s upcoming birthday. Jackie often left her husband to attend events solo whilst she took on her duty as First Lady.
While the alleged phone call between Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy continues to captivate the public imagination, it is crucial to approach the claims with scepticism due to the lack of concrete evidence and inconsistencies.
Historical records, official archives, and the absence of corroborating sources raise doubts about the veracity of the phone call and its significance. As with many historical accounts, separating fact from speculation can be challenging, and further research may be necessary to uncover the complete truth behind these intriguing claims.
You can read more about Marilyn and JFK here and Bobby here.