History’s Most Famous Suicides, From Artists To Politicians

Marilyn Monroe

On the surface, Marilyn Monroe had everything that a person could want: fame, beauty, and money. However, underneath her bombshell looks, Monroe faced many demons which ultimately led to her death.

The Blonde Bombshell was one of the world’s most popular sex icons. Meanwhile, Monroe frequently dealt with mental health issues like depression and by the last few months of her life, she was living in seclusion in her home.

She became erratic and was under constant care of a psychiatrist. Shortly after midnight on Aug. 5, 1962, Monroe’s housekeeper saw the light on in her bedroom and after her attempts to reach Monroe went unreciprocated, she called Monroe’s psychiatrist.

The psychiatrist broke into her bedroom and found Monroe unresponsive on her bed. She was naked and lying face down on her bed with a telephone in one hand and empty pill bottles, prescribed to her for depression, scattered about the room.

The police were called to the scene and after a short investigation, the Los Angeles police declared that the cause of death was “by a self-administered overdose of sedative drugs and that the mode of death is probably suicide.” Though ruled a “probable suicide,” the shock of her death had many wondering if she had overdosed on purpose or if it was an accident.