'Forever Marilyn' Returns to Palm Springs

From the City of Palm Springs:

“Forever Marilyn,” the wildly popular 26-foot tall sculpture of the legendary screen icon Marilyn Monroe which graced downtown Palm Springs for nearly two years -- attracting thousands of residents and visitors alike, will soon return to the City of Palm Springs.

At Wednesday night’s City Council meeting, the Council authorized the City Manager to begin discussions with P.S. Resorts, a consortium of large hoteliers charged with creating events to boost tourism, to bring “Forever Marilyn” back to Palm Springs permanently. The sculpture would reside in the City’s upcoming new downtown park.

P.S. Resorts is currently negotiating a title sponsorship agreement with RumChata Foundation to cover half the purchase cost of bringing the Seward Johnson-designed sculpture back to Palm Springs. In addition, the hoteliers are working on a fundraising plan to acquire “Forever Marilyn” through private donations. Anyone interested in donating to the cause will be able to make a donation by visiting here.

“We look forward to working with the RumChata Foundation and other important donors to bring “Forever Marilyn” back to Palm Springs where she belongs,” said P.S. Resorts Chairman Aftab Dada. “She has been a media magnet and a tremendous economic driver for the Palm Springs destination and we are delighted to lead the charge to bring her back to downtown.”

Marilyn Monroe has a rich history in Palm Springs. She once owned a home in the City and she was first discovered by her Hollywood agent at the historic Racquet Club.

“Forever Marilyn” was a wildly successful tourism booster for our destination,” according to Mary Jo Ginther, Director of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. “Marilyn has traveled all over the world, but no other city has embraced her with as much love and appreciation as Palm Springs. We are thrilled she will soon return to forever become a part of the magic that makes our city like no place else.”

Image via the City of Palm Springs