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In 1961 after her divorce from Arthur Miller, Marilyn decided to move back to Hollywood. Early in 1962, upon the advice of her then current psychiatrist, Ralph Greenson, she purchased this modest three-bedroom home located at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, in the Los Angeles suburb of Brentwood. According to the book, "The Unabridged Marilyn, Her Life From A to Z," the home cost less than $90,000. A nineteen year mortgage was held by the City National Bank of Beverly Hills for the amount of $37,500. Her payments were $320.00 a month. |
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Marilyn had originally hoped for a home overlooking the Pacific, in the same spanish-style fashion as was Greenson's. Though it didn't overlook the ocean, Marilyn instantly took a liking to the single-story three bedroom hacienda. While simple and non-reminiscent of a home fit for a star of Marilyn's stature, Marilyn hoped that the secluded and out-of-the-way location, would provide her with some much needed privacy. |
She immeadiately began renovations inside and out, going to the extent of making a trip to Mexico to buy authentic Spanish tiles and furnishings to adorn her new place. She took a great deal of pride in decorating, as well as planning the landscape of her first home, and one can hope that in doing so, Marilyn was finally able to achieve some sense of belonging.
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In a remark made in a 1962 interview, Marilyn said, "I thought I could never buy a home alone, but I've done it. It's like being married and not having a husband." Later, in a more touching and very sad statement she said, "I could never imagine buying a home alone. But, I've always been alone, so why couldn't I imagine it?"A tile here at the front door of the home bears an inscription eerily marking what was to become so |
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