ABC News once planned to air a sensational documentary exploring the potential involvement of John F. Kennedy and his brother Bobby in the death of Marilyn Monroe.
However, as a new book reveals, the network canceled the documentary just hours before it was due to air, ostensibly to protect the reputations of the powerful Kennedy family.
The Affair: Marilyn, Jack, and Bobby
Marilyn Monroe, one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, had long been rumored to have had affairs with both John F. Kennedy and his brother Bobby.
The actress, found dead at her Los Angeles home on August 5, 1962, from a barbiturate overdose, had reportedly been romantically involved with both brothers.
According to Maureen Callahan’s new book, “Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed,” those close to Monroe blamed the Kennedys for her tragic demise.
The Documentary: Planned and Pulled
In 1985, ABC News had prepared a documentary detailing the alleged connections between the Kennedys and Monroe’s death.
However, Roone Arledge, then-president of ABC News and a close friend of Bobby’s wife Ethel Kennedy, abruptly canceled the broadcast. This decision sparked public outrage and speculation about the reasons behind the move.
The Night of the Performance: Secret Affairs and Public Moments
Monroe’s famous rendition of “Happy Birthday” to JFK at Madison Square Garden in May 1962 was more than a public performance. Callahan’s book alleges that Monroe had a private encounter with Bobby Kennedy backstage before her performance.
That evening, the only known photograph of Monroe with both Kennedy brothers was taken, showing a serious Monroe flanked by the brothers, who turned away from the camera.
The Final Days: Tensions and Tragedy
On the day before Monroe’s death, Bobby Kennedy reportedly visited her home in Los Angeles, a visit that was secretly recorded by the FBI and CIA. Callahan writes that Bobby demanded the return of these tapes, which Monroe claimed not to have.
This tense encounter ended with Bobby leaving empty-handed. Monroe’s body was discovered the following morning by her housekeeper, lying face down on her bed, nude, with a phone in her hand.
The Aftermath: Conspiracies and Cover-Ups
Further details in Callahan’s book suggest that the FBI was ordered to remove specific phone records from Monroe’s home. Recovered records from the 1980s indicated that Monroe had made numerous calls to Bobby’s workplace shortly before her death.
Additionally, there were rumors that Monroe had undergone an abortion, possibly carrying Bobby’s child, just weeks before she died.
Public Reactions: Joe DiMaggio and the Cancelled Funeral
Joe DiMaggio, Monroe’s second husband, was deeply affected by her death and held the Kennedy brothers responsible.
DiMaggio barred them from Monroe’s funeral and later stated that Monroe had warned him about the danger she was in. He believed that the Kennedys, described as “lady-killers,” would continue to evade accountability.
The Cancellation: ABC’s Decision and Public Backlash
The cancellation of the documentary by ABC News drew significant public backlash. Arledge defended the decision, labeling the special as “gossip-column stuff” that did not meet the network’s standards.
Despite this, the decision has been widely criticized as an attempt to shield the Kennedy family’s legacy.
Conclusion: The Enduring Mystery
The story of Marilyn Monroe’s death and her connections to the Kennedys remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring mysteries.
Callahan’s book sheds new light on the alleged involvement of the Kennedy brothers and the efforts to keep these connections hidden.
The canceled ABC documentary serves as a poignant reminder of the powerful forces at play in preserving reputations and shaping public narratives.
TDPel Media
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