Frank Sinatra didn't marry Marilyn Monroe because his lawyer warned him about her suicidal thoughts, claims podcast
Frank Sinatra's romance with iconic actress Marilyn Monroe came to an end after his lawyer convinced him not to pursue the relationship because of her depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts, according to a podcast.
The claim was made in the latest episode of 'The Killing of Marilyn Monroe,' a 12-part audio documentary that breaks down the last days before Monroe's death by analyzing her career, relationships, marriages, and affairs.
"Like many men, Frank Sinatra fell under her spell," said host and entertainment journalist Charles Casillo. "He treated her like he had never treated any other woman. He was very protective of her."
Sinatra was reportedly planning on marrying the actress but was convinced to abandon those plans by his lawyer, who told him it would ruin his career.
"The lawyer said, 'Don't marry her'," said Casillo. "She's going to commit suicide, and if she kills herself during the time that she is Frank Sinatra's wife, you will go down in history as the man responsible for Marilyn Monroe's death."
In 2015 book 'Sinatra: The Chairman', author James Kaplan had detailed the legendary musician's relationship with Monroe but gave a different account of events. He said that Sinatra had followed through with his plans to ask her hand in marriage, only to be turned down.
Sinatra had met the actress in 1954 while he was still married to Ava Gardner, and the two had a relationship which lasted several months in 1961. "There was no doubt that Frank was in love with Marilyn," said Milt Ebbins, a talent manager, in the book.
Kaplan said that Sinatra was aware of Monroe's suicidal tendencies and was so concerned about her mental health that he had considered asking her to marry him so he could protect her. "Yeah, Frank wanted to marry the broad," said Jilly Ruzzo, Sinatra's close confidante. "He asked her and she said no."
A year later, in 1962, Monroe reportedly accompanied Sinatra to his Cal-Neva resort in Lake Tahoe as part of his project to save her. But a week after the holiday, Monroe was dead from a barbiturate overdose. She was just 36.
Joe DiMaggio, who was married to the actress from 1954 until 1955, turned Sinatra away from her funeral.