Marilyn Monroe house in Brentwood, Los Angeles, holds a special place in history. It’s the only home she ever owned, bought in 1962 for $77,500, and now it’s worth about $8.5 million. This cozy, Spanish-style hacienda was where the iconic actress spent her final days, making it a magnet for fans and history buffs. Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, the Marilyn Monroe house is more than just a building—it’s a snapshot of her life, dreams, and legacy. Its story, from Monroe’s personal touch to recent battles over its preservation, pulls readers in with its mix of glamour, tragedy, and timeless charm.
Want to know more about this legendary home and its place in Marilyn’s world? Keep reading to dive into its details.
Who Was Marilyn Monroe?
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, was a Hollywood legend whose beauty and talent lit up the silver screen. She starred in 23 films, like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot, earning her a spot as a cultural icon. Her net worth at the time of her death in 1962 was around $800,000, roughly $8.5 million today after inflation. She didn’t own yachts, private islands, or private jets, but her fame made her a global superstar.
Monroe owned just one home—the famous Brentwood house—and no records show her owning multiple cars, though she likely had access to a few through studios or friends. Her life, marked by a tough childhood and dazzling career, continues to fascinate fans worldwide.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Norma Jeane Mortenson (later Marilyn Monroe) |
| Born | June 1, 1926, Los Angeles, California |
| Died | August 4, 1962, Brentwood, Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Actress, Model, Singer |
| Net Worth at Death | $800,000 (approx. $8.5 million in 2025, adjusted for inflation) |
| Total Homes Owned | 1 (Brentwood house at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive) |
| Cars | No specific records; likely had access to studio or personal vehicles |
| Notable Films | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, Some Like It Hot |
| Key Achievements | Golden Globe for Some Like It Hot (1960), Hollywood Walk of Fame star |
| Estate Value (2020) | Generated $8 million in licensing revenue |
Where Does Marilyn Monroe Live Now?
Marilyn Monroe passed away on August 4, 1962, so she no longer lives anywhere. Her final home, the Marilyn Monroe house in Brentwood, Los Angeles, was where she spent her last six months. After her death, the house changed hands multiple times and is now owned by Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, who bought it in 2023 for $8.35 million. They planned to demolish it to expand their neighboring estate, but the Los Angeles City Council stepped in. In June 2024, the council voted unanimously to declare the Marilyn Monroe house a Historic-Cultural Monument, saving it from demolition. Today, it stands as a preserved piece of Hollywood history, drawing fans who want to connect with Monroe’s legacy.
Marilyn Monroe House
The Marilyn Monroe house at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in Brentwood, Los Angeles, is a one-story, Spanish Colonial-style hacienda that carries deep historical weight. Purchased in February 1962 for $77,500, it was the only home Monroe ever owned. She called it a “cute little Mexican-style house” and saw it as a fortress where she could feel safe. The 2,900-square-foot property, built in 1929, became famous as the place where Monroe tragically died of a barbiturate overdose in August 1962, just six months after moving in.
Its tiled doorstep bears the Latin phrase “Cursum Perficio,” meaning “My Journey Ends Here,” a haunting nod to her short time there. Today, the Marilyn Monroe house is valued at around $8.5 million, reflecting its prime location and cultural significance. Recent efforts to preserve it highlight its role as a symbol of Monroe’s life and Hollywood’s golden age.
1. Where Is Marilyn Monroe House?
The Marilyn Monroe house sits at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in the affluent Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Tucked away at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac off Carmelina Avenue, the property offers privacy, which drew Monroe to it. Brentwood is known for its upscale homes, tree-lined streets, and proximity to Hollywood, making it a perfect spot for a star like Monroe. The half-acre lot is surrounded by lush greenery, including citrus trees, adding to its secluded charm.
Its coordinates are 34°03′13″N 118°28′42″W, placing it in a prime Westside location. Despite its fame, the Marilyn Monroe house remains a private residence, though it attracts fans and tourists. In 2024, the Los Angeles City Council’s decision to designate it a landmark ensured its place in history, despite plans by its current owners to demolish it.
2. Features of Marilyn Monroe House
The Marilyn Monroe house is a 2,900-square-foot, L-shaped hacienda built in 1929, blending Spanish Colonial Revival style with cozy charm. Originally, it had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, but renovations have expanded it to four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Its design features terracotta floors, arched doorways, and exposed wood-beamed ceilings, giving it a warm, old-world feel.
The living room centers around a blue-tiled fireplace, a detail Monroe loved, and a skylight brightens the modernized kitchen. Outside, a freeform kidney-shaped pool sits next to a citrus grove, perfect for relaxing. A former guest house, now connected to the main structure, adds space. Monroe added personal touches, like Mexican tiles and furniture from a 1962 trip to Mexico, some of which remain. The home’s serene vibe and private courtyard make it a standout in Brentwood’s architectural scene.
Marilyn Monroe’s Real Estate Portfolio
Marilyn Monroe’s real estate portfolio was modest compared to her fame. She lived in over 40 homes during her life, mostly rentals, due to a childhood spent bouncing between foster homes and an orphanage. The Marilyn Monroe house in Brentwood was her only owned property. Below is a look at her key residences:
- Childhood Homes (Los Angeles, California): Born in Los Angeles, Monroe lived in various foster homes and an orphanage in Hollywood and Van Nuys. As a young girl, she stayed with foster parents Albert and Ida Bolender in Hawthorne until age seven, then briefly with her mother, Gladys Baker, in a small Hollywood house bought in 1933.
- Hollywood Hills Rental (1952): Monroe and her second husband, Joe DiMaggio, rented a Mediterranean-style home at 2393 Castilian Drive for less than a year. Built in 1938, the 3,335-square-foot house had four bedrooms, a pool, and views of Runyon Canyon. It sold for $2.73 million in 2019 to a Monroe impersonator, Jasmine Chiswell.
- West Hollywood Apartment (1940s): Early in her career, Monroe lived in the glamorous Granville Towers, an Art Deco-inspired building. The apartment, designed by Leland A. Bryant, later sold for $2.49 million.
- Connecticut Estate (1956–1961): During her marriage to Arthur Miller, Monroe split time between a Manhattan penthouse and a four-bedroom French country home in Roxbury, Connecticut, bought by Miller in 1949. They considered redesigning it with Frank Lloyd Wright but never did. Miller lived there until his death in 2005.
- Brentwood House (1962): The Marilyn Monroe house at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive was her only purchase. Bought for $77,500, it sold for $7.25 million in 2017 and $8.35 million in 2023. Its historical status was cemented in 2024 when it was saved from demolition.
Monroe also stayed at friends’ homes, like Bing Crosby’s mid-century estate in Thunderbird Heights, where she reportedly met President John F. Kennedy. Her transient lifestyle reflected her unsettled early years, but the Brentwood house was her attempt to plant roots.
Conclusion
The Marilyn Monroe house in Brentwood, Los Angeles, is more than just a building—it’s a piece of Hollywood history. Valued at $8.5 million today, this Spanish-style hacienda was where Monroe hoped to build a stable life, only to tragically pass away there in 1962. Its features, like the kidney-shaped pool, tiled fireplace, and “Cursum Perficio” plaque, tell a story of her dreams and struggles.
Despite plans to demolish it, the Los Angeles City Council’s 2024 decision to name it a Historic-Cultural Monument ensures its survival. Monroe’s real estate journey, from foster homes to her one owned house, mirrors her complex life. Fans still flock to Fifth Helena Drive, drawn by the enduring magic of Marilyn Monroe’s legacy.
FAQs about Marilyn Monroe:
What was Norma Jeane Mortenson better known as?
Norma Jeane Mortenson was better known as Marilyn Monroe. She adopted this stage name in 1946, choosing “Marilyn” inspired by Broadway star Marilyn Miller, and “Monroe,” her mother’s maiden name. She legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe in 1956.
What was Marilyn Monroe’s IQ?
The search results do not provide specific information or verified sources about Marilyn Monroe’s IQ. Her intelligence has been discussed anecdotally but no official IQ score is publicly documented.
Who inherited Marilyn Monroe’s money?
The search results do not directly specify who inherited Marilyn Monroe’s estate or money after her death.
Why was Marilyn Monroe called Norma Jean?
Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson (sometimes spelled Jean). The name Norma Jeane was her birth name; after birth, she was also baptized as Norma Jeane Baker, taking her first husband’s last name Dougherty during marriage. She used “Norma Jeane” before adopting her stage name Marilyn Monroe to fit better with Hollywood norms and for easier pronunciation.
