Marilyn Monroe’s Personal Mexican Soda Glass Tumblers
From her final residence at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in Brentwood, California, Marilyn Monroe’s personal assortment of Mexican soda glass tumblers. Each unique in size, dimension and color, these glasses were likely hand-blown by Mexican tradesmen. Marilyn made several trips to Mexico in the early 1960s to purchase furniture, decorations and accessories for her new home, a small Mexican styled bungalow at the end of a quiet and secluded cul-de-sac. These tumblers were possibly purchased during one of these outings.
One of these glasses can be seen to the left of Marilyn’s kitchen sink in the photo below. This image was taken the day after Marilyn died. Photo Copyright: Gene Anthony Archives.
Shopping in Mexico, 1962
From the book Marilyn: The Last Months by Eunice Murray:
Marilyn was her natural self again when they drove to market day in Toluca. Once again she wore her casual costume of black silk slacks, colorful Pucci print blouse, soft flat shoes and a scarf over her hair. Toluca is a suburb about twenty miles from Mexico City. They drove there easily one morning, traveling in a convoy of two cars, their party composed of Marilyn and Eunice, Fred and Nieves Field, and three of the presidential guards. They would discover if Marilyn would need protection on the trip to Taxco. Eunice recalls that day with pleasure: “We had a wonderful, lighthearted time of discovering colorful handcrafted items she could buy for her home.”
The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe
October 1999
Collector’s Note
These personal Mexican soda tumblers offer a rare glimpse into the everyday life of Marilyn Monroe beyond her screen persona. Unlike costumes or signed memorabilia, these were functional items she used in her daily routine, reflecting her tastes and personal habits. What is especially poignant is that one of these glasses can be seen resting on the kitchen counter beside the sink in photographs taken on August 5, the day the news of her death was reported. Its quiet presence in those images transforms an ordinary household object into a deeply human artifact, linking her daily life to a moment that would become historic. Their provenance elevates them from simple glassware to intimate witnesses of her final days.

Scott Fortner
Marilyn Monroe Collection
Founder & Owner
