House where Marilyn Monroe died declared a historic monument

The house where Marilyn Monroe died in 1962 was declared this Wednesday (26) a historic cultural monument by authorities in Los Angeles, in the United States, which saved it from being demolished, after a legal battle.

The 14 members of the Los Angeles City Council voted in favor of the designation and protection of the 270 m² property, located in the prime area of ​​Brentwood.

“We have an opportunity today to do something that should have been done 60 years ago,” Council member Traci Park said before voting for the protection. “There is no other place or person in the city of Los Angeles more iconic than Marilyn Monroe and her Brentwood home.”

Marilyn purchased the four-bedroom Spanish Colonial-style property in February 1962. Six months later, she was found dead at the scene from an overdose, aged 36.

Six decades later, fans continue to lay flowers at the property, which also attracts tourists. Built in the 1920s, the house has undergone several owners and renovations over the past 60 years.

The property currently belongs to the couple who own the neighboring property and purchased it last July, for US$8.35 million, to tear it down and expand their residence, which led to the legal battle.

Brinah Milstein and her husband, producer Roy Bank, obtained permission to proceed with their project, but historians, Marilyn fans and citizens launched a campaign against it, promoted by the city council.

“Losing this piece of history, the only home Marilyn ever owned, would be a devastating blow to historic preservation and to a city where less than 3% of historic designations are associated with women’s heritage,” said Traci Park.