A collection of personal items belonging to Marilyn Monroe, including handwritten letters, poetry, and clothing, is set to be auctioned for the first time to mark what would have been the Hollywood icon's 100th birthday. The items, from the estate of playwright Norman Rosten and his wife Hedda, span the period between 1955 and 1962, the final seven years of Monroe's life.
The auction, conducted by Heritage Auctions, features letters and notes that read like diary entries, reflecting on Monroe's relationships with Arthur Miller and Joe DiMaggio. The collection also includes personal poetry, watercolor paintings, and motivational notes to self, all being revealed to the public for the first time.
Other items include jewelry and clothing that Monroe gifted to Hedda Rosten, such as a Christian Dior wool skirt suit she wore on her honeymoon with DiMaggio. Heritage Auctions says the pieces offer a rare, unfiltered portrait of Monroe, capturing both her brightest moments and deepest struggles.
The auction coincides with the centennial anniversary of Monroe's birth on June 1, 2026. Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions, described the collection as a remarkable archive of primary material offering fresh insight into Monroe's inner world.
