Marilyn Gift to J.F.K. goes on sale for (GBP) 2,6 Million Pounds

25 june 2004

Article by: ©Hellomagazine.com 24 JUNE 2004

A watch gifted to slain president John F Kennedy on the occasion of his
45th birthday on May 29, 1962, by Marilyn Monroe has gone on sale for
£2.6 million.

The Rolex, which bears the inscription “Jack, with love always, from
Marilyn”, was given to the US leader by the silver screen idol ten days
after her now legendary rendition of Happy Birthday Mr President at a
Madison Square Garden concert in his honour.

Concerned at what the press might make of the gift should its existence
be known, Kennedy gave it to an aide with the instruction to “get rid of
it”.

The presidential employee hung onto the timepiece, however, and it went
on to be passed down through the family.

Perhaps even more damning than the inscription on the back of the watch,
would have been the poem inside the case, which includes the line "let
passion burn on lips and eyes”. Entitled A Heartfelt Plea On Your Birthday,
it is believed to have been written by the troubled star herself.

Curator of the memorabilia website selling the gold Rolex, Gary Zimet,
says: "Marilyn was smitten with the president and fantasised that JFK
would leave Jackie and marry her. But because of the over the top
Madison Square Garden song on May 19, 1962, he was forced to walk
away.”

Photo of Marilyn Monroe

Following Marilyn's legendary rendition of Happy Birthday at a concert in
his honour ten days earlier, JFK was keen to distance himself from the
silver screen idol and instructed an aide to "get rid of" her gift

The gift to JFK, a Rolex watch

The gold Rolex, which is inscribed on the back and is accompanied by a
poem believed to have been written by Marilyn, is on sale for £2.6 million

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Article by: ©Hellomagazine.com 24 JUNE 2004