Jackie and Marilyn: The Men They Shared, part 4

Although he had a specific function and objective when it came to each of them, there are many questions surrounding Bobby Kennedy and these two women.

When it came to Jackie, they had a strong relationship, built on a genuine foundation of friendship. Both quiet in nature, they bonded inside the rambunctious Kennedy family. After JFK's death, Bobby's role enhanced from friendship to protector. He seemed to adopt a deep responsibility for her. Depending on what information / which accounts you may believe, these two slipped into an affair. If so, perhaps it was natural for both of them. Perhaps it was inevitable. Regardless of whether the two became intimate, one thing is certain: Jackie and Bobby loved each other and were both an important part of the other's life.

And then there's Marilyn. Again, depending on which rumors / theories you buy into, there are claims that Marilyn and Bobby had an affair.

Some believe Marilyn was shared frequently between the Kennedy brothers (Teddy, too??) . Others believe Bobby served as the go-between for Marilyn and JFK, fielding her phone calls to the White House and doing his best to keep his brother's affair hush-hush. Still others think that when Marilyn's behavior became erratic during the summer of 1962, Bobby was the man sent in to silence her. It's easy to see why Bobby, or any man, would fall for Marilyn. She exuded sex appeal without even trying, and when she DID try, it's likely that she got whichever man she wanted. Did she have a tryst with Bobby to get back at JFK? Or was theirs a collision of a mutual attraction? Hard to say.

When it comes to the details of Jackie and Marilyn's lives, neither are complete with the mention of Bobby Kennedy.

Jackie and Marilyn: The Men They Shared, part 3

It's well known that Oleg Cassini was the man behind many of Jackie Kennedy's White House looks, but did you know he also designed for Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe? (In fact, he was briefly engaged to Grace, but somehow, Joe Kennedy discouraged the union.) Oleg launched a trend with his signature fabric colored buttons on several of Jackie's outfits, including her beige coat on inauguration day and the red dress she wore during the taping of "A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy".  He provided much of Jackie's wardrobe for her April - May trip to France and Vienna in 1961, and again for her tour of India and Pakistan in 1962.

Jackie and Oleg, doin' the Twist.

Jackie's dress for the inaugural gala.

When it came to his looks for Marilyn, Oleg was clearly inspired by her allure and her figure. Although his designs for the starlet don't seem as memorable or perhaps as successful. You decide.

Jackie and Marilyn: The Men They Shared, part 2

Celebrity can work both ways, in that once a person is connected to another, fame can prove contagious, lasting and immortalizing. This is partly true when it comes to Richard Avedon.
A noted photographer, Avedon was hired several times to work with Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s. Here is one of his most iconic shots of the actress:

What is most striking is that this picture happened toward the end of the shoot, after Marilyn had spent hours laughing, dancing, and twirling for the camera, or, as Avedon called it, "being Marilyn Monroe."
But another series of portraits solidified Avedon's fame: The Kennedy family portraits for Harpers Bazaar. Below is one of my all-time favorite moments between Jackie and her husband:

 Is there any denying his smirk and Jackie's 'wonderment'? Avedon deserves much applause for capturing those rare, almost-missed moments of Jackie and Marilyn. In both shots here, the women are legends in the making, ripe with youth and unearthly beauty.

 

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Jackie and Marilyn: The Men They Shared, part 1

The affair between JFK and Marilyn has been verified through various accounts over the years. Although JFK was no stranger to infidelities, it's rumored that his dalliances with Marilyn pushed Jackie over the edge. Jackie insisted that JFK end the affair. Of course, weeks after Marilyn's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" performance, she was dead.

But did Jackie ever realize just how many men she and Marilyn shared, besides JFK?

The go-to man for celebrity hair care, "Mr. Kenneth" Battelle, was one such man.

He earned the title "Secretary of Grooming" and became famous for styling Jackie's hair, "with just enough movement but judicious amounts of hairspray."

Battelle eventually built an empire in the hair industry, but is also credited with helping Marilyn save and treat her hair. After she complained about her hair falling out from too many perms and too much bleach, she was recommended to Battelle.

Although it never would've happened, imagine if Jackie and Marilyn had passed one another going in and out of his salon....



Interesting, Battelle outlived both beauties, having only passed away in 2013 at the age of 88.

Upcoming Release!

Happy, excited, over-the-moon-thrilled to share that my latest, a novella, will be release on March 23, 2015. Hope you check it out!

A DREAM CALLED MARILYN

"In the summer of 1962, nothing could prepare Dr. Charles Campbell for his first meeting with his new client, Marilyn Monroe. A reputable psychiatrist, he's been hired by a studio executive to handle and subdue the star, no matter what it takes. Although he's been warned about Ms. Monroe's unpredictability, she's not what he expected. In the days that follow, Charles' world is turned upside-down. Marilyn shares her secrets and threatens to go public with information that could ruin her career and destroy President Kennedy's administration. Saving Marilyn from her self-destructive ways and crossing doctor-patient boundaries, might also cost Charles Campbell his life."

Available for Pre-Order HERE.

Our dear Jackie

If you're a Jackie fan like me, you might want to check out and follow pinkpillbox.com . The gentlemen who run the site / blog and Facebook page share interesting photos and bits of info, as do the very active members.

Here's a recent gem, a painting....

http://www.keesvancitters.com/gallery.php?action=view&item=300&lastpage=24



by Brandon Wolf

Stunning! You probably recognize the photo this is a copy of. I love how ethereal Jackie looks. For me, this is elegance on canvas.

JFK...His last phone calls

As today marks yet another anniversary of JFK's assassination, I thought I'd share a bit of trivia I picked up today from a site I enjoy regularly.

First call: Ruth Carter Johnson, the lady who arranged the "artwork" in JFK and Jackie's room in Fort Worth.

Second call: John Nance Garner, a former Democratic VP from Texas who was celebrating his 95th birthday.

Special thanks to Jason Sanicki, Katelyn Lilly, and Denise Hamilton for providing the question and answers.