Marilyn Monroe’s Terrifying 4-Day Stay in a Psychiatric Hellhole: ‘Inhuman’ and ‘Archaic’

In 1961, Marilyn Monroe, already a global icon, found herself in a deeply personal and harrowing situation. Emotionally exhausted from a turbulent year—marked by her divorce from Arthur Miller and the disappointing reception of The Misfits—Monroe was advised by her psychoanalyst, Dr. Marianne Kris, to seek medical care. She believed she was entering New York’s Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic for a simple rest cure, a brief respite to recover from her emotional struggles. Instead, she found herself in a nightmarish situation that would haunt her for years to come.

Upon arrival at the clinic, Monroe quickly realized that this was no ordinary medical facility. She was admitted under the pseudonym “Faye Miller,” perhaps in an attempt to shield herself from the press and the public’s insatiable curiosity. However, what Monroe encountered inside the clinic was far from the gentle care she had anticipated. Instead of a peaceful retreat, she was placed in a padded cell, isolated from the outside world, and subjected to an environment devoid of compassion. The room, stark with cement walls and locked doors, was a far cry from the nurturing space she had envisioned. She would later describe it as a “cell,” a prison-like existence with bars on the windows and the constant surveillance of staff who seemed uninterested in her well-being.

Monroe’s time in the clinic was a harrowing ordeal. She was denied simple comforts like access to her medication and personal possessions, further exacerbating her distress. The staff, who seemed to view her as just another “nut” rather than a person in need of help, suggested activities like sewing or checkers—pale attempts to distract her that did little to soothe her fragile emotional state. Her cries for help went unheard, and when she attempted to communicate her distress by slamming a chair against a window, her actions were misinterpreted as signs of psychosis. Threatened with a straitjacket, Monroe was further isolated, her voice silenced by the very people who were supposed to care for her.

After four days of this dehumanizing treatment, Monroe was released from the clinic, but not before the experience had taken its toll. In a heartfelt letter to her psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, Monroe described her ordeal, calling it “inhuman” and “archaic.” She detailed the lack of empathy she encountered, likening the clinic to a prison. The traumatic experience, she would later reflect, was one of the darkest moments of her life.

It was only thanks to the intervention of her ex-husband, Joe DiMaggio, that Monroe was freed from the clinic. Upon learning of her treatment, DiMaggio took action, demanding her release and threatening to dismantle the facility if necessary. His intervention allowed Monroe to be moved to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Centre, where she would continue her recovery in a more compassionate environment.

Monroe’s time at Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic is a stark reminder of the struggles she faced, both personally and professionally, in a world that often failed to understand her. Despite the trauma she endured, Monroe’s story is one of resilience. In the face of profound adversity, she found a way to persevere, continuing to fight for her health and happiness in the years that followed.

Her experience also sheds light on the broader challenges faced by those struggling with mental health, particularly in an era when understanding and empathy for such struggles were limited. Monroe’s ability to reflect on her experience with honesty, despite the public scrutiny she faced, speaks to her strength. Her story is a powerful reminder that even the most beloved figures are human, with battles and traumas that deserve compassion and care.