Ninety-five-year-old Mamie Van Doren, the legendary pinup of Hollywood's golden age, is opening up in a new memoir. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Van Doren shares intimate stories from her life, including her childhood friendship with Marilyn Monroe and her brief romance with Tony Curtis. But perhaps most intriguing are her recollections of the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Van Doren reveals that when she looked beneath Hughes's famous mystique, she found less substance than his legend suggested — a reminder that even the most enigmatic figures can disappoint up close.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton