Marilyn Monroe died at age 36 on August 4, 1962, at her home in Los Angeles. She was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at the scene from an acute barbiturate overdose. This status clarifies her age at death, the date, and the publicly confirmed circumstances, focusing on record-based facts rather than speculation. The following sections detail the timeline, sources, and context around her death and its lasting public interest.
Key Facts at a Glance
Verified Core Attributes
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of death | August 4, 1962 | Coroner’s report, law enforcement records |
| Age at death | 36 years old | Birth certificate + death record |
| Location | Los Angeles, California, United States | Police and coroner reports |
| Reported cause | Acute barbiturate overdose | Autopsy and toxicology reports |
| Place of death | Her bedroom, Brentwood home | Investigative and coroner records |
Background on Marilyn Monroe
Norma Jeane Mortenson, later known as Marilyn Monroe, became a defining icon of American popular culture through her work in film, photography, and public performance. Born on June 1, 1926, her public career emerged in the 1940s and peaked in the 1950s with starring roles in films such as Some Like It Hot and The Seven Year Itch. Throughout her life she faced well-documented struggles with health, substance use, and personal relationships. Those factors contextualize but do not overshadow the official status of her death at age 36.
Circumstances of Her Death
On the evening of August 4, 1962, Monroe was found unresponsive in her bedroom by her housekeeper. Emergency responders and Los Angeles police arrived and confirmed that she was already dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office classified the manner as acute barbiturate intoxication, with combined drug effects contributing to respiratory arrest. Investigators concluded the circumstances were consistent with a probable suicide, though public discussion has continued to explore other hypotheses.
How Her Age at Death Is Determined
Her age at death is established by comparing her confirmed date of birth with the official death record. Key evidentiary sources include her birth certificate, cemetery records, and the coroner’s death certificate. Cross-referencing these documents supports the consistent reporting that she died at age 36. Discrepancies in early media reports were corrected as official records became available.
Public and Historical Context
- Immediate media coverage amplified global interest in her death and legacy.
- Subsequent biographies, investigations, and documentaries have revisited the facts of her final days.
- Consensus among historians and biographers treats her death at 36 as an established biographical fact.
- Ongoing research continues to examine the social and medical context of barbiturate use in that era.
Reliable Sourcing and Reliability Notes
Information about Monroe’s death comes from coroner filings, police logs, and authoritative biographies that cite primary records. While some details remain debated, the core data—date, age, location, and reported cause—are well documented in legal and public health records. Readers are encouraged to consult original documents or recognized biographical works for deeper verification.