Marilyn Monroe: Historic interview with Greek journalist revisited

The 64th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's death has brought renewed attention to a historic 1954 interview she granted to Greek journalist and playwright Alekos Lidoreikis.

Lidoreikis, who first met Monroe in 1947 when she was an aspiring actress, described her as a determined individual who shared details of her difficult childhood, including her time in orphanages and foster care. In their 1954 meeting, by which time she had reached the pinnacle of her career, the interview shifted from professional success to personal reflections. Monroe spoke about love, her desire for a family, and her affinity for Greece, at one point stating, "I would have liked to have been born in your country."

Monroe was found dead in her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on August 5, 1962, at the age of 36. Lidoreikis noted that despite her global fame, she possessed a natural, childlike quality, remarking, "It is not Marilyn Monroe. It is a little girl. That is her secret."