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In this first episode of 2026, All Things Marilyn returns to mark a historic milestone: the forthcoming 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe. Hosts Scott Fortner, historian, collector, and founder of The Marilyn Monroe Collection, and Elisa Jordan, author, tour founder, and Marilyn Monroe historian, reunite to explore the global celebrations, exhibitions, books, and conversations shaping Marilyn’s centennial year.

After a brief hiatus, Scott and Elisa return with renewed focus, setting the stage for one of the most significant cultural anniversaries of the 21st century.

This episode centers on Marilyn Monroe’s worldwide centennial recognition, including major museum exhibitions in Los Angeles, London, and Paris. Scott shares details about contributing personal artifacts from his collection to all three exhibitions, offering rare insight into how institutions curate and present Marilyn’s private life and public legacy for an international audience.

The conversation also turns to Los Angeles, Marilyn’s hometown, where planning for a series of centennial events is underway. Elisa discusses the return of her Marilyn Monroe sites tour, alongside panel discussions, screenings, and fan gatherings timed around Marilyn’s birthday and the opening of major museum exhibitions in Los Angeles, Londoon, and Paris. 

A significant portion of the episode is devoted to the many books being released in honor of Marilyn’s 100th birthday. Scott and Elisa discuss new and recent publications, including:

• The Marilyn Monroe Century by Joshua John Miller, grandson of photographer Bruno Bernard
• A forthcoming centennial book by David Wills, following his acclaimed titles Metamorphosis and Marilyn in the Flash
• Dear Marilyn: The Unseen Letters and Photographs, from the Shaw family archives
• Marilyn Monroe 100, the estate’s official centenary publication
• Marilyn Monroe: The Last Photographs, The Lost Interview, produced by Jason Green and Chris Flannery, featuring never-before-published photographs and Marilyn’s final interview transcript

Looking ahead, the episode previews an exceptional lineup of upcoming All Things Marilyn podcast guests for 2026, including:

• Jason Green and Chris Flannery, discussing archival stewardship, unpublished materials, and honoring Marilyn’s final photo session and interview
• David Wills, on creating a centennial book that blends rare imagery with new written scholarship
• Dawn McGovern, author of Murder Orthodoxies, offering an evidence-based examination of Marilyn Monroe’s death
• James Haspiel, who personally knew Marilyn Monroe in New York and documented their time together through photographs and film

Thoughtful, historically grounded, and deeply personal, this episode establishes the tone for a year-long exploration of Marilyn Monroe’s legacy, one rooted in evidence, archival responsibility, and respect for the woman behind the icon.

ATM Podcast: @allthingsmarilynpodcast
Scott @marilynmonroecollection
Elisa @la_woman_tours

Credits
Artwork by @marilynmexico
Soundtrack by @silver_technicolor