Marilyn Monroe Felt Her Influence Most in Korea... Last Interview to Be Released

Full Transcript of Monroe's Last Interview to Be Released After 60 Years

Book Publication Ahead of Her 100th Birthday on June 1

The full transcript of actress Marilyn Monroe's last-ever interview, representing Hollywood in the 20th century, will be released nearly 60 years later. In the interview, Monroe drew attention by naming Korea as the place where she most keenly felt her popularity.

On May 8 (local time), American entertainment media outlet Variety reported that the full transcript of an interview conducted by Richard Meryman, then editor of Life magazine, with Monroe in 1962 will be made public through the new book "Marilyn: The Last Photos, The Last Interview."

This interview was published as an article in August 1962. Just two days later, Monroe passed away at the age of 36. The upcoming book, set to be released on May 12 ahead of what would have been her 100th birthday next month, aims to shed new light on Monroe's life and various facets of her character.

Some excerpts from the interview, released ahead of the book's publication, include Monroe's candid thoughts on her fame, her image as a "sex symbol," happiness, family, and her experience performing at President John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration.

The full text of actress Marilyn Monroe's final interview before her death will be released for the first time in about 60 years. IMDb

Regarding being called a "sex symbol," Monroe said, "If I am to be a symbol of something, I would rather be a sex symbol than anything else," adding, "Sex appeal is only attractive when it's natural and spontaneous, and I have never shot a scene while being conscious of a sexual perspective."

She went on to say, "Thank God, we are all born as sexual beings. True art comes from that, but too many people despise the gifts they are born with."

On the subject of fame, Monroe described it as "like caviar." She remarked, "Caviar is nice, but imagine eating it every day. Wouldn't it be too much?" touching on the burden of excessive attention. Reflecting on her surgery at a New York hospital in 1961, she added, "Even though I had surgery, people kept pushing me, and it was hard."

Monroe also mentioned that she most strongly felt her popularity in Korea. She recalled, "Until I went to Korea in 1954, I never realized I had any influence on people. There were 75,000 people out in the snow, and as soon as I appeared, they called my name and whistled for 10 minutes." At that time, Monroe visited Korea to perform for U.S. troops stationed there just after the Korean War armistice.

About standing onstage for President John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration, she said, "I thought my voice would never come out," but added, "I decided that even if it was my last performance in life, I would sing, not just for the President but for everyone present."

She also shared her honest feelings about family. Monroe said, "I never wanted my children to go through what I did," adding, "Perhaps I am saying this because I never had a happy family myself; maybe it's just 'sour grapes' on my part."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.