01of 20Her Last ShotGeorge BarrisWhen celebrity photographer George Barris went to L.A. to photographMarilyn Monroein June 1962, he didn’t know that it would be the last time he would see his friend and longtime collaborator —no one did.In 2017, 55 years after Monroe’s death on Aug. 5, 1962, Barris' intimate set of photos, many of which have never been seen before, went up for sale via the now-defunct online auction house Paddle8. Barris passed away in 2016 at the age of 94.
01of 20
Her Last Shot
George Barris
When celebrity photographer George Barris went to L.A. to photographMarilyn Monroein June 1962, he didn’t know that it would be the last time he would see his friend and longtime collaborator —no one did.
In 2017, 55 years after Monroe’s death on Aug. 5, 1962, Barris' intimate set of photos, many of which have never been seen before, went up for sale via the now-defunct online auction house Paddle8. Barris passed away in 2016 at the age of 94.
02of 20Rewriting Her StoryGeorge BarrisOver the course of six weeks, Monroe worked with Barris to take photos for a newbookin which she hoped to rewrite her story. She desperately wanted to reclaim what she saw as the inaccurate narrative of a troubled, erratic star that led to her firing from the filmSomething’s Got to Giveshortly before the photo shoots.
02of 20
Rewriting Her Story
Over the course of six weeks, Monroe worked with Barris to take photos for a newbookin which she hoped to rewrite her story. She desperately wanted to reclaim what she saw as the inaccurate narrative of a troubled, erratic star that led to her firing from the filmSomething’s Got to Giveshortly before the photo shoots.
03of 20Birthday GirlGeorge BarrisBarris arrived in L.A just in time for Monroe’s 36th birthday on June 1.
03of 20
Birthday Girl
Barris arrived in L.A just in time for Monroe’s 36th birthday on June 1.
04of 20Impossible to ForgetGeorge BarrisBarris' photo shoot took place over the course of a few sessions during June and July. In August of that year, Monroe suffered alethal drug overdose.
04of 20
Impossible to Forget
Barris' photo shoot took place over the course of a few sessions during June and July. In August of that year, Monroe suffered alethal drug overdose.
05of 20Home Away from HomeGeorge BarrisAt the time of the shoot, Monroe had just moved into her first home in L.A. but the furniture had not yet arrived. Barris arranged for the interior shots like this one, to be taken in the house of a real estate mogul named Tim Leimert.
05of 20
Home Away from Home
At the time of the shoot, Monroe had just moved into her first home in L.A. but the furniture had not yet arrived. Barris arranged for the interior shots like this one, to be taken in the house of a real estate mogul named Tim Leimert.
06of 20Ready for Her Close-UpGeorge BarrisMonroe’s close relationship with Barris led to intimate shots, like this one of theGentlemen Prefer Blondesstar adjusting her makeup in the mirror.
06of 20
Ready for Her Close-Up
Monroe’s close relationship with Barris led to intimate shots, like this one of theGentlemen Prefer Blondesstar adjusting her makeup in the mirror.
07of 20Always ReadyGeorge BarrisAnd this one.
07of 20
Always Ready
And this one.
08of 20Beach BabeGeorge BarrisThe last location of the shoot was the beach session, which produced incredible color photos in addition to the black and white portraits.
08of 20
Beach Babe
The last location of the shoot was the beach session, which produced incredible color photos in addition to the black and white portraits.
09of 20Marilyn and Her TeamGeorge BarrisFor what was suppposed to be her comeback shoot, Monroe brought in her most trusted stylists, Agnes Flanagan (left) and Whitey Snyder (right).
09of 20
Marilyn and Her Team
For what was suppposed to be her comeback shoot, Monroe brought in her most trusted stylists, Agnes Flanagan (left) and Whitey Snyder (right).
10of 20
No Expense Spared
11of 20
Timeless Beauty
12of 20Well-Documented WomanGeorge BarrisBarris had previously released some of the photographs to be used inGloria Steinem’s biography of Monroe, but sold the rest to a collector in the ’80s.
12of 20
Well-Documented Woman
Barris had previously released some of the photographs to be used inGloria Steinem’s biography of Monroe, but sold the rest to a collector in the ’80s.
13of 20Back in ActionGeorge BarrisThe photos, other art and memorabilia are available onPaddle8.
13of 20
Back in Action
The photos, other art and memorabilia are available onPaddle8.
14of 20From Every AngleGeorge BarrisGeorge Barris' signature sits at the bottom of each photo of the collection.
14of 20
From Every Angle
George Barris' signature sits at the bottom of each photo of the collection.
15of 20Having a BlastGeorge BarrisMonroe and Barris' close working relationship led to incredible shots like this one.
15of 20
Having a Blast
Monroe and Barris' close working relationship led to incredible shots like this one.
16of 20The Beauty of a GenerationGeorge BarrisMonroe’s status as a style icon would only elevate after her death.
16of 20
The Beauty of a Generation
Monroe’s status as a style icon would only elevate after her death.
17of 20Lounging AroundGeorge BarrisThe photographs captured a version of Monroe that seemed totally at ease with her surroundings.
17of 20
Lounging Around
The photographs captured a version of Monroe that seemed totally at ease with her surroundings.
18of 20Making WavesGeorge BarrisThe playful side of Monroe wasn’t lost in her final shoot.
18of 20
Making Waves
The playful side of Monroe wasn’t lost in her final shoot.
19of 20Star PowerGeorge BarrisWhether in black or white or full color, Monroe’s beauty was radiant.
19of 20
Star Power
Whether in black or white or full color, Monroe’s beauty was radiant.
20of 20Letting Her Guard DownGeorge BarrisWith her most trusted collaborators around her, Monroe appeared unguarded in her final shoot.
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Letting Her Guard Down
With her most trusted collaborators around her, Monroe appeared unguarded in her final shoot.
source: people.com
