Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, owners since 2023 of Marilyn Monroe's former Los Angeles residence, are at the center of a legal controversy. The city of Los Angeles denied their demolition request after designating the property a historic landmark in 2024, prompting the couple to file a lawsuit against the city and Mayor Karen Bass.
Accusations of collusion and deprivation
In their complaint, Brianh Milstein and Roy Bank accuse the city of "collision" and claim to have been "deprived of the use and enjoyment of their property without any real benefit to the public"The owners, who already own the neighboring house, wanted to integrate the historic residence into their private estate, an initiative stopped by the municipal authorities.
An iconic residence in Hollywood history
The house, located at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, spans 270 square meters and has a swimming pool. Marilyn Monroe bought it in the 1960s for $75,000, shortly after her divorce from playwright Arthur Miller. It was in this residence that the actress, famous for her roles in Men prefer blondes, Some like it hot et The Misfits, died in August 1962 at the age of 36, a victim of a barbiturate overdose.
In 2017, the property was acquired by Glory of the Snow LLC, a company headed by hedge fund manager Jonathan Rose, for $7,25 million, before being resold in 2023 to Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank for $8,35 million.
The announcement of the planned demolition sparked a major protest movement. City Councilwoman Traci Park, representing the 11th district of Los Angeles where the residence is located, received numerous emails and calls from fans, historians, and local residents, demanding the protection of this iconic landmark.
