Inside Marilyn Monroe's California home where the Hollywood icon spent her final days
The former California home of Marilyn Monroe is at the center of a legal battle between its new owners and the Los Angeles City Council. The owners wish to demolish the property, but the city has designated it a historic landmark to preserve its cultural significance.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing tension between private property rights and the preservation of cultural heritage in urban development.
Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood’s legendary actress, passed away six decades ago following a drug overdose in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles, California, in 1962. As the memories of the actress continue to influence pop culture, the house remains a significant landmark. It was the first house she owned, shortly after her separation from her third husband, Arthur Miller. Despite renovations and interior changes, the property remains the same.In 2023, Roy Bank and Brinah Milstein acquired the residence with the intention of demolition, per PEOPLE. However, the L.A. City Council stopped the process by tagging the property as a ‘Historic Cultural Monument.' As a result, Bank and Milstein sued the city and Mayor Karen Bass, citing that the designation was an unconstitutional taking of their private property.
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