The world’s most famous actress Marilyn Monroe was in debt just months before her ԁеаtһ, it has emerged.
Her personal chequebook, which has been unearthed, reveals the starlet was overdrawn by $991.41 on December 31, 1961 despite being paid $300,000 (£240,000) to star in The Misfits which was filmed that year.
Her financial records show her compassionate side as she made donations to various charities including Cedars of Lebanon Hospital.
The vinyl-covered wirebound chequebook covers Monroe’s New York expenses from September 25, 1961 through to February 23, 1962, with cheque numbers 1802 through to 1951.
They refer to Monroe’s personal account at the Irving Trust Company in New York City and the chequebook has ‘MM Personal’ on the cover.
Inside the chequebook – which measures 7.5ins by 8.75ins – is a wealth of information which provides a fascinating look at Monroe’s expenses as she entered the final year of her life.
During this period Monroe made payments to a wide range of sources including the Erno Laszlo Institute which provided her with beauty products, the clothes boutique Abercrombie & Fitch and her local pharmacy.
There were also the utility bills she had to stay on top of to maintain her properties in New York and Los Angeles, as well as the costs associated with the Marilyn Monroe production company.
Following her ԁеаtһ the chequebook was consigned to the man who trained her to be an actress, Lee Strasberg , before more recently falling into the hands of a private collector.
It has now emerged for auction and is tipped to sell for £7,000 ($9,000).
Martin Nolan, of US based Julien’s Auctions who are auctioning off the chequebook, said: “This chequebook provides a great insight into Marilyn Monroe at that time in her life.
“It is interesting to note that she was really good at keeping receipts and keeping financial records of all her transactions but they also show that she was a big spender.
“She was very giving and charitable which is shown by the cheques she wrote for several charities. Animals in particular were important to her.
“When you go through the chequebook you can see that she was not tremendously wealthy. She was motivated by her craft, not by money, so she would take roles without necessarily negotiating the best deal for herself.
“This chequebook was in the estate of Lee Strasberg who was her friend, acting coach and mentor. It has been in storage for many years and was only recently uncovered.
“There is a great desire to learn more about Marilyn because she was someone who would do whatever it took to stand out, whatever the cost. This is why we are still talking about her 55 years after her ԁеаtһ.”
The auction takes place on April 28.