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A month after the 61st anniversary of the beloved star's tragic passing, Marilyn Monroe's former Los Angeles home—the very place where she was found dead—is facing its own untimely ending. According to the New York Post, the current owners of the Some Like It Hot star's residence, 12305 Fifth Helena Dr., have filed for a demolition permit. Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety gave the green light for the "plan check" phase, which is where the city reviews the owner's new architectural plans for the lot.
While renovations and demolitions happen often, this property has a prominent spot in pop culture history, so it's surprising that it's poised to be torn down. You see, Monroe purchased this 1929-built residence in February 1962—and many sources claim this was the only home she actually owned. Legend has it that she bought the place after her psychiatrist urged her to put down roots. It may have been her attempt at a happier future, but Monroe tragically died in the home six months later as a result of a barbiturate overdose.
It's not hard to see why Monroe was so smitten with this historic home. Nestled on a half acre of land in Los Angeles' luxe Brentwood enclave, the property dazzles with a 2,900-square-foot hacienda-style residence. In true Hollywood fashion, the lot also feature A-List amenities such as a spacious pool and citrus orchard. Since Monroe's passing, the property has undergone several renovations, changes in ownership, and, yes, a little bit of controversy. (In Blonde, the Ana de Armas-led biopic about the iconic actress, Monroe's death scene was filmed in the actual bedroom she died in—and subsequently sparked a major conversation about the ethics of recreating such a tragic scene.)
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Years after Monroe bought her abode for $77,500 in 1962, Zillow estimates that the property is worth $8.5 million. Naturally, we have a lot of questions. Why demolish this historic home when you can sell it for a pretty penny? What will become of the property? We're rooting for a last-minute decision to spare the house and save this piece of Hollywood history. But only time will tell, so be sure to check back here for updates.
