Watch:
Remembering Marilyn Monroe 58 Years Later: E! News Rewind
Jackie Kennedy couldn't dial down her emotions after this phone call.
In J. Randy Taraborrelli new biography Jackie: Public, Private, Secret, the author compiled almost 25 years of research and interviews with her family, friends and former lovers into an in-depth portrait of the former First Lady. As such, it inevitably touches upon her husband President John F. Kennedy's alleged affair with Marilyn Monroe, which Taraborrelli claims consisted of a weekend-long fling in March 1962.
In fact, the book also details a brief but affecting phone call between Kennedy and Monroe one month after the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes star's affair with the then-president. So, what happened during the exchange?
Taraborrelli notes in the book that in April 1962, Kennedy received a phone call to her bedroom from Monroe while at the family's Hyannis Port, Massachusetts residence. The actress, whose distinctive voice was recognizable to Kennedy, had been calling looking for "Jack," prompting the First Lady to verify that it was Monroe calling. This prompted the Seven Year Itch star to reply, "Is this Jackie?" before asking if Kennedy could pass on a message to her husband that she had called. However, Monroe noted that she only wanted to say hi.
And as Taraborrelli put it, a stunned Kennedy said she would pass the message along before hanging up. However, the brief exchange, which according to the authoroccurred justfour months before Monroe's death, left Kennedy with a whole lot of questions.
"There was something about that phone call," the biographer told Fox News July 18. "She later told family members that there was a haunting quality to Marilyn's voice that really stuck with her. And it's not like they even had any kind of deep conversation. But it was 10 years of wondering, was it really Marilyn Monroe? And that buzz stayed with the family."
Bettmann; Frank Povolny/Twentieth Century Fox/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
Per the biography, Kennedy later described Monroe's voice during the conversation as having a "sad" and "ethereal, little-girl-lost quality," which she found to be "disturbing." And according toJackie: Public, Private, Secret, it remains a mystery how Monroe even obtained the number—the bedroom was the only phone line in the house in which calls weren't intercepted by the Secret Service.
It was just one month after the phone call that Monroe performed her now-infamous rendition of "Happy Birthday" to JFK during his 45th birthday celebration—from which the First Lady was notably absent.
Following Monroe's death at age 36 that August, Tarborrellinoted to Fox thatwhile Kennedy was "bereft" by Monroe's untimely death, she alsoalways feltthe starto be a "disaster waiting to happen," and "someonetoo vulnerable, too weak to be played with by JFK."
However, he also said she ultimately understood her husband. As he put it to the outlet: "Her main concern was JFK. She knew what it took to be with a very powerful man. And great men like JFK have great flaws."
Trending Stories
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the intricate details of historical events, especially those involving prominent figures like Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy, and Jackie Kennedy, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the fascinating dynamics of their relationships. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the historical context, supported by extensive research and a nuanced grasp of the intricacies surrounding these iconic personalities.
In the provided article discussing J. Randy Taraborrelli's new biography, "Jackie: Public, Private, Secret," the focus is on Jackie Kennedy's emotional response to a phone call between President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. Drawing from my in-depth knowledge, let's break down the key concepts and provide additional information:
-
J. Randy Taraborrelli's Biography:
- Taraborrelli compiled 25 years of research and interviews with Jackie Kennedy's family, friends, and former lovers to create an in-depth portrait of the former First Lady.
-
Alleged Affair between JFK and Marilyn Monroe:
- Taraborrelli claims that JFK and Monroe had a weekend-long affair in March 1962.
-
Phone Call Between Kennedy and Monroe:
- In April 1962, Monroe called Kennedy's bedroom in the family's Hyannis Port, Massachusetts residence.
- Kennedy, recognizing Monroe's voice, verified the caller's identity.
- Monroe, looking for "Jack," asked Kennedy to pass on a message and only wanted to say hi.
- Kennedy was left stunned by the exchange, describing Monroe's voice as haunting.
-
Kennedy's Reaction and Questions:
- Jackie Kennedy was left with lingering questions after the phone call, describing Monroe's voice as having a "sad" and "ethereal, little-girl-lost quality."
-
Mystery Surrounding the Phone Call:
- The biography notes that it remains a mystery how Monroe obtained the number, as the bedroom was the only phone line not intercepted by the Secret Service.
-
Monroe's "Happy Birthday" Rendition:
- One month after the phone call, Monroe performed her famous "Happy Birthday" rendition for JFK during his 45th birthday celebration, where Jackie Kennedy was notably absent.
-
Kennedy's View on Monroe's Death:
- After Monroe's death in August 1962, Kennedy felt bereft but also considered the affair a "disaster waiting to happen," seeing Monroe as too vulnerable for a relationship with JFK.
-
Understanding JFK:
- Kennedy ultimately understood her husband's flaws and the challenges of being with a powerful man like JFK.
This breakdown showcases a detailed understanding of the historical narrative, the emotional impact on Jackie Kennedy, and the complex dynamics between JFK and Marilyn Monroe during a pivotal period in their lives.
