In The Wall of Life, the actress shares her awkward meeting with Donald Trump in the ’80s, revealing a moment that left her feeling uneasy and reflecting on the impact of her experiences with some of America’s most notable leaders.
In her newly released memoir, The Wall of Life, Shirley MacLaine candidly recalls her interactions with 13 of the last 14 U.S. presidents, detailing both memorable and uncomfortable moments throughout her illustrious career. Among these recollections, one encounter with Donald Trump in the 1980s stands out as particularly unsettling.
MacLaine’s brush with Trump occurred when she visited 666 Fifth Avenue, a building owned by Trump at the time, to view a vacant apartment. “I went up to look at it, and walked in because I knew it was available, and he was there,” she shared in an interview with PEOPLE. “We met in a room where no one else was. In his head, I could see he was undressing himself and me, and I got out of there very fast. Didn’t take the apartment either — and it was too expensive.”
The actress, known for her bold personality and willingness to share her opinions, also recounted her experience performing at John F. Kennedy’s birthday celebration in 1962, where Marilyn Monroe famously serenaded the president. Yet, despite her numerous encounters with powerful figures, she admitted that the meeting with Trump was particularly uncomfortable. Notably, MacLaine has never met Richard Nixon, stating, “I thought he was ridiculous and wouldn’t want to have met him.”
In addition to her political encounters, MacLaine shares humorous anecdotes in her memoir, including an unsuccessful proposition to actor Morgan Freeman, who politely declined her advances. She also revealed her regret over turning down the iconic role of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a part that ultimately propelled Audrey Hepburn to stardom. “I turned it down because I didn’t want to have to worry about my weight to be able to wear all those outfits and do all those fittings… I legendarily hated fittings. I also didn’t think it was a very good script,” she explained.
As Trump continues to navigate his own controversies in the public eye, including the recent film The Apprentice which portrays his rise in the New York real estate scene, MacLaine’s reflections on their meeting add another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding the former president.
Shirley MacLaine’s The Wall of Life: Pictures and Stories from this Marvelous Lifetime is now available in bookstores, offering readers a glimpse into her fascinating life filled with candid stories and encounters with some of the most influential figures in American history.
