On May 19, 1962, Marilyn Monroe attended a fundraiser and gala for then US President John F. Kennedy held at Madison Square Garden in New York. During the event, Monroe made her way to the stage to sing a rendition of “Happy Birthday” that would go down in history. After she was done, President Kennedy addressed the crowded room and said, “I can now retire from politics after having had Happy Birthday sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way.”
Monroe was wearing a sparkling gown and white fur coat for the occasion, and that exact dress is now on display at Grand Prairie’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for a limited time. The gown was designed by Jean Louis, a costume designer from France, who hand sewed all 6,000 rhinestones attached to the sheer fabric.
It was this bold decision to create a garment that made Monroe look as if she was wearing next to nothing that made the moment so historic. Well, that and the persistent rumor that Monroe and President Kennedy had allegedly been having an affair, and the fact that she was one of the most famous actresses of all time.
Ripley’s purchased the gown for $4.8 million in 2016. This current exhibit, “Happy 100th Birthday, Marily Monroe,” was planned to coincide with what would have been Monroe’s 100th birthday on June 1. The regional manager for Ripley Entertainment, Rachel Rotella, said, “Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most recognizable icons in pop culture history. With visitors looking for unique experiences across North Texas this summer, this is a rare opportunity to see Marilyn Monroe’s dress that represents one of the most unforgettable moments in Hollywood history.”
Visitors can see the dress with the price of regular admission to the Grand Praire museum. As of writing, it’s unclear as to how long the exhibit will be open, as all press materials simply indicate it will be available “for a limited time.”
How to buy tickets
If you want to see this important piece of Hollywood history before it’s no longer on display, multiple ticketing options are available. This link lists the various ways you can gain admission to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Grand Prairie, as well as other nearby attractions. The most basic option is for Ripley’s and Waxworks, which currently runs between $29.99-$52 for adults and $24.99-$40 for children between the ages of four and 12. An Odditorium Guidebook is available for an additional $1.99 fee.
The museum and the Palace of Wax are both open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. In addition to Marilyn Monroe’s dress, other exciting “Old Hollywood treasures” will be on display in the exhibit. For more information on what you can expect to see and to learn more about the actress herself, click here.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Related: 10 celebrity chef restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth
