The Rise and Tragic Story of Marilyn Monroe

The Rise and Tragic Story of Marilyn Monroe

In this Bloodlines & Betrayal episode, hosts David Schuman and Steve Cully explore the luminous yet heartbreaking life of Marilyn Monroe — the woman who embodied Hollywood glamour while silently battling loneliness, exploitation, and despair. Her story is one of dazzling fame, fragile humanity, and a system that built her up only to break her down.

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, Monroe rose from an unstable childhood of foster homes and neglect to become a global icon. Schuman and Cully trace her transformation from a shy factory worker to the silver screen’s most magnetic star, driven by ambition but haunted by insecurity. Films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Seven Year Itch made her a legend — yet behind the beauty and confidence was a woman yearning to be seen for more than her image.

The hosts delve into her tumultuous marriages, her battles with mental health and addiction, and her connections to powerful men — including President John F. Kennedy — that fueled both her fame and her downfall. On August 5, 1962, Monroe was found dead from an apparent overdose at just 36, a tragedy still clouded by mystery and speculation.

Ultimately, Bloodlines & Betrayal reveals Marilyn Monroe as more than a victim or a myth. She was a woman caught between glory and grief, whose brilliance and vulnerability continue to expose the dark side of fame — where beauty fades, loyalty falters, and even the brightest stars can burn out too soon.