Marilyn Monroe’s house and all the places she lived in through the years

From small apartments to sprawling Spanish-style mansions, to a brief stint living in Frank Sinatra’s guest house, Marilyn Monroe moved around quite a few times before settling on a place of her own.

Jenny Schafer
11 Min Read
Marilyn Monroe and her former home, Chateau Beachwood
Photo credit: Neue Focus

Marilyn Monroe led a highly publicized (and often scrutinized) life under the glaring limelight of Hollywood.

From her multiple marriages — to merchant marine James Dougherty, MLB slugger Joe DiMaggio, and playwright Arthur Miller — to the mystery surrounding her death at the tender age of 36, Marilyn remains one of the most documented Hollywood stars of all time.

The iconic actress completed 29 films before her untimely passing. And although she’s one of the most celebrated movie stars in history, Marilyn didn’t leave behind multiple estates or countless posh properties.

In fact, even though she lived in 40+ places over the years, Marilyn Monroe only owned one home.

Marilyn’s rise to fame

Before revealing the details of the Brentwood estate she called home, let’s take a look at Marilyn’s impressive career highlights.

Marilyn was raised in various orphanages and foster homes prior to her rise to fame. She spoke about her experience of sexual abuse and childhood neglect. Although her rags-to-riches story is the greatest plot twist of all, Marilyn Monroe never forgot her roots and worked with the World Adoption International Fund

Marilyn Monroe in 1953 as she appears in the December 1953 issue of Photoplay magazine.
Marilyn Monroe in 1953 as she appears in the December 1953 issue of Photoplay magazine. Studio publicity still, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The model/actress rose to fame playing comedic “blonde bombshell” characters, which propelled her to become one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s.

The iconic actress starred in classic films such as Some Like It Hot, The Misfits, Bus Stop, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, to name a few.

Marilyn’s films grossed $200 million by the time of her tragic death in 1962.

Since then, she’s remained a major pop culture icon, with countless documentaries about her, and many different actresses portraying her life story. Most recently, Ana de Armas took on the role of Marilyn Monroe in Netflix’s controversial Blonde film.

Marilyn Monroe’s houses over the years

Born to the name Norma Jeane Mortenson, the iconic actress searched for a family her entire life. And although she did not have children of her own, Marilyn finally found her roots in a cozy California estate.

From high-end hotels to small apartments and sprawling Spanish-style mansions, to a brief stint living in Frank Sinatra’s guest house, or taking an extended (and somewhat controversial) stay at Bing Crosby’s Rancho Mirage estate, Marilyn Monroe moved around quite a few times before settling on a place of her own.

the guest house with a small pool in front in Frank Sinatra's house where Marilyn Monroe once lived
Staying with friends: For a while, Marilyn Monroe lived in the guest house of Frank Sinatra’s Byrdview estate, which comes with its own small dipping pool. Image credit: Scott Everts/Fox/The Agency

Continue reading about the most prominent places Marilyn Monroe called home over the years, and find out where she finally called home.

Her early condo at Chateau Beachwood 

Reportedly, prior to her marriages, Marilyn lived for a while at the celeb-packed Chateau Beachwood — a 10-unit complex designed in 1937 by architect Walter C. King — which was reportedly built by Warner Bros. to house the actresses it had under contract back in the day.

Marilyn Monroe and her former home, Chateau Beachwood
Entrance leading to Marilyn’s place at the Beachwood, where she lived early in her career. Photo credit: Neue Focus

Nestled under the Hollywood sign in Beachwood Canyon, the landmark French Normandy-style building is steeped in Hollywood history.

Some of the biggest celebrities to call Chateau Beachwood home over the years include Greta Garbo, Marlene Deitrich, and Marilyn Monroe. But the complex didn’t only appeal to stars in the Golden Age of Hollywood; in recent years, the Chateau listed Anne Heche, John Cusack, Sean Penn, and Madonna as its residents.

Living room inside Marilyn Monroe's former home.
Inside Marilyn Monroe’s house at Chateau Beachwood. Photo credit: Neue Focus

According to our sources, the two-bedroom, two-bath unit at the Chateau Beachwood Marilyn lived in was recently offered for sale at a modest $899,000.

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s house

Marilyn and her second husband, New York Yankees star Joe DiMaggio, enjoyed married life in a rented mansion in Hollywood Hills.

Built in 1938, the Mediterranean-style home overlooks Runyon Canyon and offers 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths.

exterior of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio's house, a large 4-bedroom, three-story house with white exteriors and shingled roof
Exterior of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s house in Los Angeles. Photo credit: Pete Chung / Redfin

One of the most well-known Marilyn Monroe houses, the 3,335-square-foot home — said to be haunted by Marilyn’s ghost — sold for $2.7 million in 2018 to Marilyn impersonator and social media star Jasmine Chiswell.

Alongside her husband, Chiswell carefully renovated the house to retain many of the original features that Joe and Marilyn picked out for their marital home, including light fixtures, art, bathtubs, tiling, and even towels.

Her two-level penthouse in West Hollywood

In 1954, after splitting from Joe DiMaggio, the actress moved into her seventh (and last) apartment in West Hollywood.

Marilyn Monroe's former penthouse in West Hollywood
Inside Marilyn Monroe’s penthouse at the Granville Towers in West Hollywood, where she lived following her split from Joe DiMaggio. Image credit: The Luxury Level courtesy of The Agency

For about a year, the Monkey Business actress set up residence in a luxurious two-level penthouse at the Granville Towers, one of the most spectacular buildings in West Hollywood.

granville-towers-exclusive-west-hollywood-condo-building
The Grandville Towers, which Marilyn called home in the mid-’50s. Image credit: The Luxury Level courtesy of The Agency

In 2021, the West Hollywood condo hit the market for $2.49 million

Oozing old Hollywood charm, Monroe’s former abode boasts gorgeous architectural elements such as vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling skylight windows. Take a look inside.

bedroom with a bed in the middle, sitting under vaulted ceilings with two rows of windows, with two white chairs
Inside Marilyn Monroe’s home in West Hollywood. Image credit: The Luxury Level courtesy of The Agency

The homes she shared with husband Arthur Miller

After divorcing Joe in 1955, Marilyn married her third and final husband in 1956 — Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Arthur Miller.

The former couple split their nearly 5-year marriage between their apartment in New York City, and Miller’s country house in Connecticut.

Their NYC pad is located in a 14-story building on E. 57th Street. Featuring 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, the 1927-built condo boasts views of the East River and the city skyline. The posh condo hit the market for $3.75 million in May of 2022.

SEE ALSO: Bob Hope’s house in Palm Springs, an architectural masterpiece

Another Marilyn Monroe home was in the countryside of Connecticut. Located on Tophet Road in Roxbury, Marilyn and Arthur had plans to replace the old farmhouse with a new home but decided against the renovation. Originally built in 1769, Miller lived in the home from 1947 until his death in 2005.

Marilyn Monroe’s house in Brentwood

As for the only house she ever owned, Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood home was purchased shortly before her untimely death. 

exterior of Marilyn Monroe's house in Brentwood, a single level home with a large backyard
Marilyn Monroe’s house in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Photo credit: Zillow.com/MLS

According to Zillow, the 2,624-square-foot home originally built in 1929 is now estimated to be worth well over $8 million. Not only was it the only home she ever owned, but it is also the location of her apparent overdose and death in 1962.

Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, the posh property offers gorgeous greens and a stunning outdoor pool.

the kitchen inside Marilyn's house, boasting beamed wood ceiling and a large white kitchen counter
Inside Marilyn Monroe’s house in Brentwood. Photo credit: Zillow.com/MLS

Before her life came to a tragic end at the age of 36, Marilyn lived in her Brentwood estate for only 6 months.

Reportedly, the Some Like it Hot star purchased the house after her psychiatrist advised her to “put down some roots.” 

While some sources say Marilyn paid merely $77,500 for the L-shaped Spanish Colonial Revival, others report it was sold to the blonde bombshell for $90,000.

Located at 12305 5th Helena Drive, Marilyn went on shopping trips to Tijuana and Mexico City, where she bought tiles, tin masks, mirrors and textiles to decorate the lovely Los Angeles home.

In 2017, Marilyn Monroe Brentwood home sold for $7.25 million.

The backyard Marilyn's home, featuring a small pool and brick patio
Backyard and pool of Marilyn’s home, the last place she lived in before her untimely passing. Photo credit: Zillow.com/MLS

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Jenny Schafer is the former senior editor of a high-profile celebrity blog she ran for 10+ years. A proud mom-of-three and resident of Vancouver, B.C., Jenny writes with a keen social consciousness and passion to keep things positive. She has been interviewed by various news sources such as CNN, Zimbio, Mom Spark and was a regular contributor for HerSay.