By Jeff
Little
No one knows when, but sometime during her climb to superstardom
Marilyn
Monroe developed a profound substance abuse problem. Nembutal and
chloral hydrate (prescribed to alleviate anxiety and aid sleep) were
both found in a toxicology screening that followed her death. She was
also known to drink on a regular basis, but many would say substances
were not the problem. Most would argue they were actually symptoms of
psychological pain she had experienced most of her life.
Never having a stable home life as a child, she grew-up never
really knowing who her father really was, even though one was listed on
her birth certificate. It has also been reported, but never proven
conclusively, that Marilyn had been the victim of sexual abuse on
numerous occasions. One incident of molestation allegedly resulted in a
pregnancy at an early age that ended with Monroe delivering a child that
was spirited away immediately following birth. It has also been rumored
that Marilyn had several abortion procedures throughout her adult life.
By 1959, according to friends, Monroe's behavior had become
increasingly erratic. Many have gone on to say that even though she had
become one of the most adored women in history, Marilyn had serious
self-esteem issues and actually suffered intense stage fright before
performing. Most guess this to be about the time her chemical abuses
started to spiral out of control.
Successfully keeping her demons at bay, Marilyn remained a top
box office draw as she scored yet another smash in Some Like It Hot
(1959). In this feature, she not only delighted audiences but won a
Golden Globe Award in the process.
Continuing to work through her pain, she appeared next in Let's
Make Love (1960). Following the widespread popularity of Some Like It
Hot, Let's Make Love proved to be a serious disappointment to both
audiences and critics. But larger disappointments were on the way for
Marilyn Monroe.
The marriage of Marilyn Monroe and playwright Arthur Miller was
on the rocks by 1960, but not before Miller had written what would be
the last film Monroe would complete. Shortly after divorcing in 1961,
she appeared in The Misfits.
Also in 1961, Monroe's psychiatrist arranged her admittance to a
psychiatric clinic, but Marilyn soon reconsidered the decision. Not
allowed to voluntarily check herself out, Monroe enlisted the aid of
ex-husband Joe DiMaggio to secure her release.
Remaining in the public eye, Marilyn made one of her last public
appearances at a gala birthday bash for President John F. Kennedy in
1962. In a now legendary performance, she sang a sexy version of Happy
Birthday to the President (with whom she had been romantically linked)
and wowed the crowd. Missing her scheduled arrival time, she had
ironically been introduced by Peter Lawford as "The late Marilyn
Monroe."
Keeping her screen career alive, Monroe continued work on her
upcoming film Something's Got to Give. But the going was rough as her
condition worsened and the shooting schedule became riddled with
Marilyn's tardiness and absences.
Due to her recent work habits, no one was surprised when, on
August 5, 1962, there was no Marilyn Monroe on the set. No one knew 'til
later she had died of a prescription medication overdose.
Most believe that her death was accidental. But many would agree
that misery was what killed Marilyn Monroe.
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