Heritage Auctions is selling a collection of Marilyn Monroe's personal memorabilia in Los Angeles this month.
The sale provides a rare look into the private life of the Hollywood icon and serves as a commemoration of her birth centennial.
The auction features a diverse array of items from Monroe's hidden world. The collection includes wardrobe pieces, jewelry, and private letters. Collectors will also find never-before-seen photographs and a handwritten recipe for Thanksgiving turkey stuffing [1, 2, 3].
These items are being offered for sale in May 2026 [1, 4]. The timing of the auction is intended to precede what would have been the actress's 100th birthday on June 1, 2026 [1].
Heritage Auctions is handling the sale in Los Angeles, California [1, 5]. The auction house said the event is designed to give collectors a glimpse into the actress's private sphere [1, 2].
Monroe remains one of the most documented figures of the 20th century, yet few items from her domestic life reach the public market. The inclusion of personal correspondence, and culinary notes, offers a contrast to her highly curated public image as a film star.
“The collection includes wardrobe pieces, jewelry, and private letters.”
The timing of this auction coincides with a major historical milestone, the centennial of Monroe's birth. By releasing private documents and domestic items alongside high-fashion wardrobe pieces, the sale shifts the focus from her cinematic persona to her identity as an individual, potentially increasing the historical and monetary value of the archive.
