The romantic liaison between the legendary actress Marilyn Monroe, brought back to life in the film "Blonde," available on Netflix, and the ill-fated US President John F. Kennedy was characterized by s---al tension, iconic moments in pop culture, and a mysterious death that continues to fuel suspicions.
One of the most iconic moments in pop culture took place on the evening of May 19, 1962, when Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood symbol brought back to the limelight by the film "Blonde" (streaming on Netflix), graced the stage at Madison Square Garden. Dressed in a figure-hugging Jean-Louis dress (the same one Kim Kardashian chose to flaunt at this year's Met Gala), Marilyn sang the most sensually charged "Happy Birthday" in history to President John F. Kennedy. This brief moment, encapsulated in a song, has become legendary for uniting two significant figures of the 20th century.
During this time, Marilyn's career was in a downward spiral as she struggled with issues. She was working on "Something's Got to Give," which ultimately became her final film, an unfinished project plagued by her repeated absences, subpar performance on set, and forgetfulness of lines. Marilyn was caught in a whirlwind of alcohol, pills, and drugs, which intensified her already mercurial and insecure nature.
Beyond her career, Marilyn was linked to those in positions of power. Her unique birthday greeting to President Kennedy hinted at an intense tension between them, which, after their untimely deaths, only added to their legend. By the time of that famous "Happy Birthday," they were not only acquainted but had shared a clandestine romance, unbeknownst to a grieving Jacqueline Bouvier, who endured her husband Jack's frequent infidelities.
Various accounts exist regarding the moment and circumstances of Marilyn and Kennedy's initial encounter. According to biographer Jason Spada, it was actor Peter Lawford who introduced them in 1954. At the time, she was a rising star, and he was a promising politician. Their paths would cross at other social events over the years, but the pivotal moment is believed to have occurred in 1962, when Kennedy had already assumed the presidency. Frank Sinatra, one of JFK's confidants, allegedly facilitated their growing connection during a dinner held in the president's honor.
According to Tony Oppedisano, a friend of Sinatra, Marilyn was drawn to the president. "She respected him, admired him, loved what he was doing for the country, and she found him attractive, as he did her," Oppedisano explained in a conversation with People. Following their encounter at the dinner, they spent a night at Bing Crosby's Palm Springs mansion, according to Susan Strasberg, a friend of Marilyn's and daughter of Lee Strasberg, Marilyn's artistic mentor.
"It was permissible to have an affair with a charismatic president," Susan shared with Vanity Fair. "Marilyn adored secrecy and drama, but Kennedy was not the man she wanted to spend her life with, and she made that clear." It was on that fateful night that JFK invited Marilyn to sing at his famous birthday party, where she delivered the most iconic "Happy Birthday" in history.
The extent of Marilyn and JFK's relationship remains a subject of speculation. Despite her public image as a ditzy blonde, she was astute and quickly grasped that her involvement with Kennedy could only be an affair. Oppedisano noted, "It wasn't that there was nothing between them, but let's be honest: he was the President of the United States, a married man, and a father." She was unwilling to break up the President's marriage, and thus refrained from taking it further, even though her emotions ran deep.
This partly explains her later involvement with Robert "Bobby" Kennedy, JFK's younger brother and then-Attorney General. "When her relationship with Jack ended, she turned to Bobby," Oppedisano shared. "I don't think it lasted as long or went as deep as her involvement with JFK. Bobby had a different perspective," according to Oppedisano's comments to People.
