The Unlikely Friendship Between Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald
Marilyn used her star power to help Ella battle prejudice and reach new career heights
Marilyn Monroe is known for many things: her bombshell looks and undeniable sex appeal, an impressive canon of iconic movies, her many lovers, her tragic death, and, of course, that dress. But the starlet also had a remarkable friendship with the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald.
It’s hard to believe that a white movie star and a black singer would be acquainted, let alone become close friends in the early 1950s. After all, this was a period of racial unrest in our nation’s history. State-sponsored segregation was still in effect, and institutions were openly and unapologetically racist.
But Marilyn and Ella had a surprising amount in common. Both endured difficult childhoods marred by poverty, abuse, and neglect. Marilyn had been raised by a mentally unstable mother. After her mother was institutionalized, Marilyn was shuttled between homes and faced sexual abuse.
Ella’s beloved mother passed away when she was 15 years old, and she went to live…
