Items from the Famous Night Marilyn Monroe Sang to JFK Head to Auction

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe.Photo: NY Daily News Archive via Getty; Bettmann/Getty

Part myth and part little-known truth, the relationship betweenMarilyn MonroeandJohn F. Kennedyhas become the stuff of legend. Now, some tangible pieces of that history — including a signed guest book, rare photographs and a film reel of the iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” performance — are headed to the auction block.

Doyle Auction Houseis overseeing the sale of a lot of items that once belonged to Arthur Krim, a former film executive, and Dr. Mathilde Krim, the founding chairman of the Foundation for AIDS Research.

Among the items listed for sale are a signed guest book and collection of original photographs from the star-studded 45th birthday celebration for Kennedy, held at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962, and the reception held after, at the Krims' New York townhome.

“Arthur [Krim] was high up in politics and arranged the gala at Madison Square Garden,” Peter Costanzo, senior vice president of Doyle Auction House, tells PEOPLE.

According to Costanzo, the Krims maintained some 40 years' worth of guest books, the most noteworthy of which are from the May 1962 event.

The final piece in the lot is a film reel of Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday” performance.

Bettmann

The lot — estimated to sell for $40,000 to $60,000 dollars — is especially noteworthy considering the mystery surrounding Monroe’s relationship with both JFK and Robert Kennedy.

“What happened to Marilyn Monroe is one of the great mysteries of the 20th century,” biographer James Spadatold PEOPLE in 2012, ahead of the 50th anniversary of Monroe’s death.

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source: people.com