Bid For Crypt Above Marilyn Monroe Falls Through
Marilyn Monroe's crypt lies in the Corridor of Memories Mausoleum at Westwood Village Memorial Park cemetery just below the body of Richard Poncher. Michael Buckner/Getty Images hide caption
Marilyn Monroe's crypt lies in the Corridor of Memories Mausoleum at Westwood Village Memorial Park cemetery just below the body of Richard Poncher.
Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesPeople will spend a lot of money to live near the rich and famous. For the dead and famous, arguably no neighborhood is more desirable than the mausoleum at the Westwood Village Memorial Park cemetery in Los Angeles.
Among the many stars resting there is the iconic Marilyn Monroe, and the crypt directly above hers was recently auctioned on eBay. A Japanese man bid more than $4.6 million to spend eternity as Monroe's upstairs neighbor. But the Los Angeles Times reports that he reneged on the deal in an e-mail, saying, "I need to cancel this because of the paying problem."
The current occupant of the crypt is Richard Poncher, who died 23 years ago at the age of 81. In accordance with his wishes, he was entombed face down, above the movie star.
His widow, Elsie Poncher, wants to sell his crypt to pay off the mortgage on her house. She'll then move him into an adjacent crypt that she owns.
Poncher's attorney told NPR that the next step depends on what they hear from eBay about the qualifications of bidders. A dozen people bid for the space above Monroe.
The tomb right next to Monroe's is owned by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.
It seems to be the same for Monroe in death as in life, when she complained to Groucho Marx in Love Happy:
"I want you to help me," Monroe says.
"I have a little sand left. What seems to be the trouble?" Groucho asks.
"Some men are following me," Monroe replies.
Groucho responds, "Really? I can't understand why."
Just an exclusive few will be able to follow Monroe into eternity — and at least one will pay a bundle for the chance.