The legendary athlete Joe DiMaggio, who passed away at the age of 84 in 1999, has once again made headlines, this time due to revelations from a book authored by his close friend, Dr. Rock Positano.
In the volume "Dinner with DiMaggio: Memoirs of an American Hero," controversial statements made by the athlete, who shone during the Second World War, are collected. DiMaggio was famously married to Marilyn Monroe, and the book also delves into aspects of their relationship.
Dr. Positano shared, "Joe confided these stories to me, believing that one day they might serve a purpose. I am honoring his wishes by crafting a respectful biography," as he spoke to the press.
The marriage between Monroe and DiMaggio lasted a mere nine months, with DiMaggio's personality characterized by reserve and a strong focus on his virility, according to Positano. The book reflects DiMaggio's statement: "Marilyn told me that no man made her feel the way I did." In private, their connection was described as an intense clash of titans, reminiscent of thunder and lightning.
The book is a compilation of discussions held during a decade of shared meals between the author and the baseball icon. In one revealing comment, DiMaggio admitted, "Her only issue was her lack of hygiene," expressing his dismay that Marilyn would go for days without bathing during periods of depression.
While it is often believed that the couple's breakup was primarily due to DiMaggio's jealousy, as he struggled with the image of Marilyn in the subway's unsavory atmosphere, Positano offers an alternative theory: "Marilyn was deeply hurt as she was unable to have children."
The book also touches on DiMaggio's lingering bitterness towards Frank Sinatra and his associates, whom he blamed for facilitating the meetings between President Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe.
