Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe was born on this day (June 1) 96 years ago.
The star, who appeared in huge films including Some Like It Hot, is one of cinema’s most iconic actresses – with celebrities including Nicola Peltz and Madonna channeling Marilyn’s style throughout the decades.
However following her tragic death at the age of 36 years old, the entertainment world was left shocked and saddened by the loss of one of its brightest stars.
Known for her generosity in life, Marilyn’s will is continuing to help others more than 60 years after her death – and Daily Star takes a closer look at who inherited her vast estate.
Huge fortune
(Image: Getty Images)
Marilyn Monroe is one of cinema’s greatest stars, appearing in Hollywood films including Some Like It Hot, Niagra and How To Marry A Millionaire.
In the months leading up to her death, she also modelled for high fashion magazines including Vogue and Cosmopolitan.
Throughout her career, the actress’ films grossed an eye-watering sum of £154million, so it is no surprise that from her acting and modelling work, Marilyn had a huge estimated net worth of £15.4m.
However, it is reported that after the star’s estate was settled, it was worth approximately £3.5m.
Tragic death
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
The world of entertainment was shocked and saddened when it was announced that Marilyn Monroe had died on August 4, 1962 at the age of 36 years old.
On the day of her death, it is reported that she had spent time with her publicist, her housekeeper, the photographer Lawrence Schiller and her psychiatrist Ralph Greenson.
However, Marilyn’s housekeeper Eunice Murray became concerned for the actress when she did not respond to knocks on her bedroom door at her Brentwood home.
The Los Angeles police department were called, but she was pronounced dead, with the city’s coroner’s court office stating that she had died of an overdose of barbiturates.
Sweet gifts to family
(Image: Publicity Picture)
Following Marilyn’s death, it is reported that her will was contested by one of her business managers, but was established shortly after as a valid will and testament.
Having divorced the playwright Arthur Miller just 10 days after signing her will, her estate was later shared among family, close friends and associates.
This included leaving £10,000 to her half-sister Berniece Miracle – along with a sweet gift of a £5,000 educational trust for Bernice’s child.
(Image: Bettmann Archive)
The star was well known for her generosity, with Marilyn leaving more than £100,000 to pay for care for her mother Gladys Baker, and £5,000 to each of her friends.
However, more than 75% of Marilyn’s estate was left to her acting coach and mentor Lee Strasburg and his wife Paula, instead of her family – who also inherited all her personal items and clothing.
Charity donation and legacy
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
Along with donations to family and friends, Marilyn left 25% of her intellectual property rights to her therapist, Dr Marianne Kris.
In the will, it states that the money from the intellectual property rights was “to be used by her for the furtherance of the work of such psychiatric institutions or groups as she shall elect”, rather than for Dr Marianne Kris’ own use.
However, when the therapist died in 1980, it is reported that the rights were transferred to the Anna Freud Centre in London, which is an organisation dedicated to working with children with mental health problems.
Marilyn is known to have suffered with mental health problems including depression and, in the book The Many Lives Of Marilyn Monroe, author Sarah Churchwell said the star would be happy to know that her legacy is continuing to help others.
Sarah said: “That would have made her really happy.
“She did want to do good, and she wanted to feel as if she had accomplished something.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
