Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 28, 2025 · Entertainment

Marilyn Monroe: From Hollywood's Darling to the Kennedys' Shadow

At the point of being admitted to the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic in New York, Marilyn Monroe has set her sights on Jack Kennedy, recently inaugurated as soon-to-be US President, and is conducting a clandestine affair with him

Marilyn Monroe's Torrid Affair with JFK's Brother: The Sordid Tale of Hollywood Glamour and Political Power

In a shocking turn of events, it has been revealed that Marilyn Monroe, the iconic blonde bombshell, had a torrid affair with John F. Kennedy's brother, Robert F. Kennedy, just months after her explosive split from the President himself. The scandalous tale of Hollywood glamour and political power has left fans reeling, and The Scholarly Note is here to dish out all the juicy details.

It began innocently enough - a chance meeting between Marilyn and Bobby at a friend's dinner party in Santa Monica. But as the night wore on, it became clear that this was no ordinary encounter. For one thing, Marilyn was still reeling from her sudden and brutal rejection by JFK himself, who had coldly ended their affair via his trusted pal, Peter Lawford.

Kennedy pictured with his then fiancee Jacqueline Bouvier while on holiday at the family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts in 1953

But Bobby, with his dashing good looks and sharp intellect, seemed to be the perfect antidote to her heartbreak. And as they spent more time together, it became clear that Marilyn was smitten - not just physically, but mentally too. She would often take notes on their conversations, desperate to keep up with his quick wit and sharp political insights.

Of course, this was a recipe for disaster. For one thing, Bobby was still very much married, with seven kids at home. And then there was the fact that Marilyn's affair with JFK had been a national scandal - and now she was embarking on a new romance with the Attorney General himself! The press would have a field day, and poor Marilyn knew it.

But she couldn't help herself. She was drawn to Bobby's charm and charisma, and she felt like he truly understood her - unlike JFK, who had merely used her for his own political gain.

Marilyn Monroe poses in a bed wearing sexy lingerie during the shooting of Some Like It Hot

As the affair heated up, things started to get out of hand. Marilyn would often call Bobby at all hours of the day and night, demanding to know why he was ignoring her. And when she finally got through to him, it was only to be met with a cold shoulder - just like JFK had given her before.

But Marilyn refused to back down. She started making plans for a press conference, determined to spill the beans about her torrid affair with Bobby RFK. It would be a bombshell of epic proportions, and she knew that it would send shockwaves through Washington and Hollywood alike.

Of course, this was not going to end well. The Kennedys were notorious for their dirty tricks, and they would stop at nothing to keep their secrets safe. And so, Marilyn found herself trapped in a web of deceit and manipulation - with no way out.

Marilyn Monroe sings Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, for his upcoming 45th birthday

In the end, it was just too much for her. Her fragile psyche couldn't take the pressure, and she succumbed to the pressures of fame, ultimately taking her own life in 1962.

But what a legacy she left behind! Marilyn Monroe's affair with Bobby RFK is still talked about today - a cautionary tale of the dangers of Hollywood glamour and political power. And The Scholarly Note is here to tell you all about it, in our latest exclusive report.

Monroe with celebrated playwright Arthur Miller, who she was married to beteen 1956 and 1961

Tragic star: Marilyn Monroe was plagued by poor physical and mental health in her final days

The actor Peter Lawford, one of Sinatra's Rat Pack of celebrities and also Jack Kennedy's brother-in-law, with Marilyn Monroe before her famous birthday rendition to the president

Bobby Kennedy warns his brother that it doesn't look good for the president to be seen with Frank Sinatra, who is associating with hoodlums and racketeers, including the cousin of infamous gangster Al Capone

Jackie warns Marilyn against pursuing her husband and later tells her sister: 'Life's too short to worry about Marilyn Monroe'

Kennedy assures a friend that he had dismissed Marilyn, telling her she's 'not First Lady material'

Marilyn wears the same iconic gown she selected for her Happy Birthday performance to the president at Madison Square Garden in 1962

Marilyn, posing for a portrait in 1953, was one of the most recognisable celebrities of her time

Internally Marilyn is troubled by the insecurity that has always dogged her ¿ that she's not seen as a serious actress, just a sex symbol. Pictured: The actress in 1953

Marilyn was plagued by negative thoughts about herself. 'Nobody loves me. People are only nice to me when they want something,' she said

Marilyn pictured on the set of There's No Business Like Show Business in 1954

Marilyn also turned her attentions to the President's brother, Robert Kennedy (right)