The Iconic Moment: Marilyn Monroe’s Performance for JFK and RFK

Just a mere three months prior to her tragic passing, Marilyn Monroe captivated the audience at Madison Square Garden by singing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy on the eve of his 45th birthday.

Clad in a figure-hugging, sheer dress, Monroe delivered a performance that would etch itself into history on May 19, 1962.

This unforgettable rendition paved the way for what is believed to be the sole existing photograph of Monroe alongside Kennedy.

The snapshot was captured during an after-party hosted at Hollywood executive Arthur Krim's Manhattan residence by Cecil Stoughton, the official White House photographer, as per Time magazine.

In this iconic image, Monroe is flanked by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy on the left, while Harry Belafonte, who also took the stage that night, stands in the background.

Historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., sporting a grin and glasses, completes the picture on the right.

Despite being instructed against photographing Monroe with the president, Stoughton managed to clandestinely snap this shot.

Out of deference for Jackie Kennedy, he chose to keep the photograph under wraps.

Reflecting on the evening, Schlesinger penned, “The memory of this enchanting, enigmatic, and distressed lady will forever linger with me.

Her beauty was unparalleled; her charm and wit captivated me, veiled yet sincere and profound.

However, conversing with her felt surreal, akin to speaking to someone underwater.

Bobby and I playfully vied for her attention.”

Monroe's performance that night only fueled speculations surrounding her alleged involvements with both Kennedy brothers.

According to biographer James Spada, it was evident that Monroe shared intimate relationships with both Bobby and Jack.

Another biographer, Donald Spoto, revealed that Monroe and the president crossed paths on four occasions between October 1961 and August 1962.

Her masseur, Ralph Roberts, disclosed that their solitary “encounter” occurred in a bedroom at Bing Crosby's residence on March 24, 1962, just preceding Monroe's show at MSG.

Roberts remarked, “Marilyn conveyed that it wasn't a significant event for either of them: it occurred once, that weekend, and that was all.” Notably, a print of the famed photograph was auctioned at Lelands in August 2018, representing the lone surviving copy that Stoughton personally printed from the original negative.

(A duplicate of the photo is part of the Life Images Collection.)

Originally released in August 2018, this article has been refreshed in July 2024.