Marilyn Leaving Palm Springs… For Jersey

The iconic, 26-foot tall statue of Marilyn Monroe that's been a gathering point and tourist oddity in Palm Springs for nearly two years is decamping for the East Coast.

The 34,000 lb. statue is leaving downtown P.S. on April 1, headed to Hamilton, N.J. where it will be part of an exhibit honoring its designer Seward Johnson. The Marilyn statue — which depicts the star in the most famous scene from 1955's The Seven Year Itch — was previously in Chicago, where it was mostly derided. But Palm Springs loves Marilyn, who owned a house in the desert oasis, and is hoping she returns.

The statue occupies a spot that's reserved for a future hotel and shops, but many in the community are clamoring for Marilyn to come back. The legend's flashy heels, mile-high legs, billowing dress, and sexy grin are complimented by the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains, making it a prime photo op for P.S.'s visitors.

A public party for Marilyn's departure happens at the statue site on March 27.

"It's only right that she goes," wrote a commenter on the Forever Marilyn Facebook page. "As just like the real Marilyn she will become legend!" Read more here.