Full Breakdown
Marilyn Monroe’s Centennial: New Book Publishes Final Interview as Personal Memorabilia Head to Auction
5/9/2026, 5:40:41 AM
Centennial Commemorations – Book Release and Auction
Heritage Auctions will open bidding on June 1, 2026, for more than 80 items from the estate of Norman and Hedda Rosten, close friends of Marilyn Monroe. A parallel sale by Julien’s Auctions, in partnership with Turner Classic Movies, is scheduled for June 4. Both auctions coincide with the release of *Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview*, a book that presents Monroe’s complete August 3, 1962, Life magazine interview with editor Richard Meryman. The book arrives on May 12, 2026, ahead of what would have been Monroe’s 100th birthday on June 1.
Historical Context – Monroe’s Legacy and Prior Market Activity
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, Monroe became an internationally recognized actress, model, singer, and sex symbol. Her personal effects have periodically entered the auction market; notable prior sales include the white dress from *The Seven Year Itch* (sold for $4.6 million in 2011) and the dress worn for President John F. Kennedy’s birthday (sold for $4.8 million in 2016). The 2026 sales follow a broader centennial commemoration that also features a major exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery.
Key Participants – Interview Editor, Auction Houses, and Estate Custodians
- Richard Meryman – Life magazine editor who conducted Monroe’s final interview.
- Heritage Auctions – Led by senior director Brian Chanes, handling the Rosten collection.
- Julien’s Auctions – Coordinating a separate sale of nearly 200 Monroe-related lots.
- Norman and Hedda Rosten – Friends who amassed letters, drawings, and personal notes from 1955-1962.
- Lee and Paula Strasberg – Method-acting mentors whose names appear in Monroe’s telephone book and handwritten notes.
Items and Valuations – Scope of the Auction Collections
Heritage’s catalog includes:
- Handwritten notes from 1955, one priced from $30,000, quoting the Strasbergs.
- A daily planner with personal mantras, starting at $10,000.
- A Christian Dior two-piece skirt suit worn in 1954, estimated at $20,000.
- A Fabergé pearl-set table clock, linked to Joe DiMaggio, with an estimate of $80,000.
Julien’s lot list features:
- A gold-tone evening bag containing lipstick, cigarettes, and two 1940s dimes, valued at $100,000–$200,000.
- A silk Jeanne Lanvin evening gown altered for Monroe, $20,000–$30,000.
- The olive-green gate from Monroe’s Brentwood home, $30,000–$50,000.
Official Statements – Auction Representatives and Curators
Brian Chanes described the Rosten collection as “a rare glimpse into the private world of one of Hollywood’s most enduring legends” and emphasized that the material “has not been bought and sold over the decades.” Joe Maddalena noted that the letters and notes “offer fresh insight into her inner world,” highlighting their previously unseen nature.
Verbatim Quotes – Monroe’s Own Words and Auction Commentary
- “I’m going to be a symbol of something, so I’d rather have it be sex than some of the other things they’ve got symbols of.” — Marilyn Monroe, Life interview, 1962
- “I’ve never had an erotic scene. I’ve always wanted to test it out and see if I could do it.” — Marilyn Monroe, Life interview, 1962
- “I feel like I’m drowning.” — Marilyn Monroe, handwritten note during *Some Like It Hot* production, 1962 (as recounted by Brian Chanes)
- “Marilyn is just an icon. People love and adore Marilyn to this day.” — Brian Chanes, senior director, Heritage Auctions
- “The letters and notes reveal a side of Monroe that has remain largely unseen, deeply personal, searching, and profoundly human.” — Joe Maddalena, executive vice president, Heritage Auctions
Future Milestones – Upcoming Release Dates and Exhibition
- May 12, 2026 – Publication of *Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview*.
- June 1, 2026 – Heritage Auctions public bidding begins.
- June 4, 2026 – Julien’s Auctions sale commences.
- June 2026 – National Portrait Gallery in London opens its centennial exhibition of Monroe’s portraiture.
These coordinated events provide scholars, collectors, and the public with unprecedented access to Monroe’s artistic statements and personal artifacts as the entertainment icon reaches her centennial milestone.
