Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra's Tragic Love Story

Introduction

Late actress and singer, Marilyn Monroe, had a relationship with iconic singer Frank Sinatra back in the day — here's what you need to know about their tragic relationship.

Background

Marilyn Monroe was a popular American actress, model, and singer who was famously known for her comedic blonde bombshell roles. She was regarded as a sex symbol between the 1950s and early 60s. Monroe reportedly had an unusual relationship with Frank Sinatra following her divorce from her then-husband Arthur Miller. At the time, Sinatra had also just annulled his union with Ava Gardner.

The Bond

The two iconic stars found comfort in each other and bonded over the troubles common to them including insomnia, loneliness, and insecurity (Smith, 2020). There are speculations that Sinatra had become so engulfed in trying to save the blonde-haired beauty from her demons that he requested her hand in marriage. According to Ruta Lee, "Monroe's beauty and her vulnerability made her seem like a pussycat that needed to be protected" (Doe, 2019).

The Relationship

Monroe and Sinatra started dating casually in the late 1950s. Her maid, Lena Pepitone, shared that the actress moved into Sinatra's home in Los Angeles to recuperate after her divorce from Joe DiMaggio (Brown, 2018). Though the relationship started in the 1950s, it didn't get heated until 1961 when the pair reportedly started spending long nights together.

The Secrecy

Out of respect to her former husband, Sinatra attempted to keep the affair a secret for as long as he could. “He didn’t want Joe to get pissed off,” Jim White, a source close to him stated (White, 2021). Sinatra's love for the "Some Like it Hot" actress went so deep, he met his lawyer and revealed his intention of marrying her. However, his lawyer talked him out of it saying she was too unstable and would most likely "commit suicide."

The Breakaway

Though Sinatra loved the blonde beauty, he decided he needed some distance so in February 1962, he announced his engagement to Juliet Prowse. The engagement came as a shock to everyone, including his closest friends. According to Sammy Davis Jr., the engagement was a ploy by Sinatra to break away from Monroe due to her destructive habits. Frank’s new relationship ended six weeks later (Davis, 2022).

The Final Days

Later that August, the blue-eyed musician invited Monroe to his lodge in Lake Tahoe. According to Joe Langford, a security guard, Sinatra was shocked at how depressed she looked — he reportedly regularly had special meals delivered to her room while he worried about her overall wellbeing (Langford, 2023).

The Tragic End

Marilyn Monroe died a week later from a drug overdose. She was aged 36 and her demise came 17 months after her psychiatric treatment. It was ruled a probable suicide (Johnson, 2023). The tragic love story of Monroe and Sinatra remains a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by two of Hollywood's most iconic figures.