New book reveals what Joe DiMaggio ‘loved and hated’ about Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s marriage might have been splashed all over the papers and magazines, but DiMaggio was always very coy publicly about his life.

But according to a new book, written by his podiatrist, DiMaggio had a lot to say about his marriage in private.

It turns out the famous baseball star told all to his podiatrist Dr Rock Positano, including what he loved and didn’t love about his wife.

“Joe told me outright that he’d tell me these stories so ‘maybe they’ll be of good use one day’, which means to me that Joe knew someday I’d respect his wishes and write a respectable memoir on him,” Dr Positano told The Times.

The book, titled Dinner With DiMaggio, reveals conversations between DiMaggio and Dr Positano about everything from the baseballer’s marriage to Marilyn Monroe to other characters such as the Kennedys and Frank Sinatra. 

It also reveals that DiMaggio had “a crush” on Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson.

So, what about Marilyn?

Well, according to excerpts of the book published by The Times, DiMaggio and Monroe got along “exceptionally well in every way” but DiMaggio had “a big issue” with her personal hygiene”.

The book claims that DiMaggio “complained that she wouldn’t take a bath for days, probably because of her bouts of depression”.

DiMaggio was also open about his sex life with the actress.

“When we got together in the bedroom it was like the gods were fighting; there were thunderclouds and lightning,” the book quotes DiMaggio as telling his podiatrist,

“Doc, Marilyn told me that no man ever satisfied her like I did.”

According to the book, DiMaggio and Monroe only divorced because she was “hurt by the woman thing — her inability to have children”.

And it also sheds light on how DiMaggio coped with her tragic death.

“I remember being called to the mortuary,” the book quotes DiMaggio as telling his podiatrist.

“I helped the undertaker pick out a dress, made sure her make-up was right and that she looked good when her hair was done. I banned my good friend Frank Sinatra and all the other bastards from the funeral.”

You might be wondering how the doctor’s recollections of the events could be believable?

Well, The Times reports that Dr Positano kept a written record of the conversations immediately after his dinners with DiMaggio.

What do you think of the revelations in the book? Is it disrespectful to publish? or do you find it interesting?