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The kitchen. (Photo by Teigen Media)
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The kitchen. (Photo by Teigen Media)
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The “Marilyn Monroe Doll House” in Palm Springs is on the market for $3.3 million, blending architectural pedigree with famous Hollywood lore.
Marked by a pink mailbox on an elevated third-acre Vista Las Palmas lot, the 1961 residence allegedly tied to the “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” star is a classic Charles Du Bois design built by the Alexander Construction Co. It spans 2,978 square feet with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, preserving its mid-century character despite modern updates.
A vaulted ceiling and floor-to-ceiling glass define the great room, which connects seamlessly to a back terrace with a pool, spa and fire pit set against mountain views.
Inside, a sculptural fireplace with a metal canopy serves as the centerpiece of the living room, just steps from the dining area and the wet bar.
The kitchen pairs a pixelated-like tile backsplash with blue and white cabinetry.
While listing agent David Emerson of Coldwell Banker Realty told Mansion Global the property served as a vacation retreat for Monroe, the connection is largely anecdotal.
As first reported by the Desert Sun, the original long-time owner Audrey Blanchard, who held the property for over 40 years, actively challenged the rumor. In 2008, her attorney even issued a cease-and-desist letter to a location agency to stop them from misrepresenting the house as the Hollywood icon’s former residence.
To verify past residency, the Palm Springs Historical Society taps property records and its extensive collection of local phone books. The society also relies on extensive research done by Howard Johns to produce his 2004 book, “Palm Springs Confidential: Playground to the Stars!”
According to the society’s archivist, Renee Brown, these searches have turned up no results linking the star to the property.
“We have never found any connection,” Brown said by phone. “Would she have listed her name in the phone book? Probably not. She was a very private person. Truth is, nobody knows one way or the other.”
True or not, the legend lives on.
Today, the home is a lucrative short-term rental, fetching as much as $2,000 for a two-night stay, according to its Airbnb listing.
Public records identify the current owner as a California limited liability company, which purchased the property in July 2020 for $1.58 million.
For the seller, the Monroe branding also offers a timely marketing boost as Palm Springs prepares for the icon’s upcoming birthday centennial.
The city is already home to “Forever Marilyn,” a 26-foot-tall statue by artist Seward Johnson inspired by the famous skirt-blowing pose from the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch.”
Come May 30, 2026, “Marilyn 100: A Centennial Celebration and World Record Attempt” will aim for the largest gathering of Marilyn Monroe look-alikes.
Visit pspride.org/marilyn100 for more information.
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