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In July 1962, Marilyn Monroe gave her final interview to Life magazine journalist Richard Meryman and conducted her final official photo shoot for photographer Allan Grant. She died shortly after the article was published, and most of Grant's photographs, as well as Meryman's notes, remain unknown.
Now, Jason Greene and Chris Flannery have compiled the full transcript of Marilyn's interview and Grant's photographs for the book Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, the Last Interview (Weldon Owen), in which the star speaks candidly about her life, Hollywood, fame, and the challenges of the studio system.
Read the excerpt below and don't miss Tracy Smith's report on Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday on CBS Sunday Morning on May 31!
«Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview»
About glory
I don't consider myself a celebrity. What matters is what you do. What you associate yourself with is also important—with people. Usually, I just wear whatever comes to hand, but when I'm in a crowd and people recognize me, I choose my clothes more carefully. I mean, I dress more appropriately for the occasion. There are times when I feel like the public should see me at my best. I'm not going to run around like a dog. I feel like I don't want to let anyone down or disappoint anyone. Image is important to people, so that's how I feel.
Sometimes, in a scarf and a polo coat, no makeup, and a certain way of walking, I’ll be out shopping or just observing people. But then, you know, a few teenagers come along, pretty smart, and they say, «Hey, wait a minute. You know who I think this is?» And they start following me. And it doesn’t bother me. I understand that some people wonder if you’re real. Teenagers, little kids, their faces light up. They say, «Wow!» and they can’t wait to tell their friends. Old people come up to me and say, «Wait, I’ll tell my wife.» You’ve changed their whole day. In the mornings, the garbage collectors who drive by on 57th Street as I’m leaving the house say, «Marilyn, hi! How are you feeling this morning?» I’m honored, and I love them for it. The workers I pass whistle at me. At first, they whistle because they think, «Oh, it’s a girl. "She has blonde hair and she's in good shape," and then they say, "Oh my God, that's Marilyn Monroe!" And there's something about that... you know, those moments are nice. People know who you are and they feel like you mean something to them.".
Allan Grant photograph from the last official photo session of Marilyn Monroe in July 1962, at her home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. / Copyright: Allan Grant Photography © 1962 MM LLC; from the book "Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview." Allan Grant photograph from the last official photo session of Marilyn Monroe in July 1962, at her home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. / Copyright: Allan Grant Photography © 1962 MM LLC; from the book "Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview." Allan Grant photograph from the last official photo session of Marilyn Monroe in July 1962, at her home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. / Copyright: Allan Grant Photography © 1962 MM LLC; from the book "Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview.".
An excerpt from Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview by Allan Grant and Richard Meryman. Concept and development by Jason Greene and Chris Flannery at marilynslostphotos.com. © 2026. Photographs by Allan Grant © 1962 MM LLC. Reprinted by permission of Weldon Owen/Insight Editions. All rights reserved.
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«Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview»
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«Marilyn: The Lost Photographs, The Last Interview by Richard Meryman and photographer Allan Grant (Weldon Owen) in hardback and ebook formats marilynslostphotos.com