Jessica Chastain is one of the most acclaimed and successful actresses in Hollywood, with two Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe award to her name. She is known for her roles in films such as Zero Dark Thirty, The Help, Interstellar, and Molly’s Game. But behind her glamorous and impressive career, there is a dark and painful family history that she rarely talks about.
Jessica Chastain’s biological father was Michael Monasterio, a rock musician who died in 2013 from complications of bronchitis. He was 55 years old. But who was Michael Monasterio and what was his relationship with his famous daughter? Here is what we know about his life and death.
A Troubled Romance
Michael Monasterio was born on August 8, 1957, in Burlingame, California. He was the son of Edward Michael Monasterio and Alice Ann Thomas. He had a brother named Joey Monasterio, who also passed away in 2018.
Michael Monasterio had a passion for music and wanted to be a rock star. He played drums and guitar in various bands, but never achieved fame or fortune. He was also involved in drugs and alcohol, which affected his personal and professional life.
When he was 20 years old, he met Jerri Chastain, a 16-year-old high school student. They fell in love and had two daughters: Jessica Chastain, born on March 24, 1977, and Juliet Chastain, born on December 13, 1978. However, their relationship was not stable or happy. They broke up shortly after Juliet’s birth and never got married.
An Absent Father
Michael Monasterio did not play an active role in his daughters’ lives. He did not pay child support or maintain contact with them. He even refused to acknowledge Jessica as his daughter and did not put his name on her birth certificate. According to the New York Daily News, he chose not to have contact with Jessica and her family.
Jessica Chastain grew up without knowing her biological father. She considered her stepfather, fireman Michael Hastey, to be her real father. She also took his last name until she became an actress. She has never spoken publicly about Michael Monasterio or their relationship. She has also never shared any photos of them together.
A Failed Reconciliation
Michael Monasterio claimed that he had reconciled with his younger daughter Juliet when she grew up. He said that they shared a love of music and drumming. However, Juliet had a troubled life as well. She was addicted to drugs and suffered from depression. She committed suicide by gunshot at the age of 24 on May 20, 2003.
Michael Monasterio also tried to reach out to Jessica Chastain when she became a famous actress. He sent her letters and gifts, but she did not respond. He also expressed his pride and admiration for her work in interviews and social media posts. However, Jessica Chastain did not reciprocate his feelings or attempts to reconnect.
According to Star Magazine (via the Daily Mail), Michael Monasterio said that “it broke his heart that she never mentioned his existence.” He also said that he hoped to see her someday and hug her.
A Sudden Death
Michael Monasterio died unexpectedly on February 5, 2013, from complications of bronchitis. He was living in Sacramento, California, at the time of his death. He had three other daughters from his subsequent marriages and relationships: Nicole Monasterio, Laci Smoot, and Lisa D’Mato.
His family held a memorial service for him on February 23, 2013, in Sacramento. Jessica Chastain did not attend the service or send any condolences. A source close to her told the New York Daily News that “there are no plans to attend” the memorial because “he is not on Jessica’s birth certificate” and “there are no photos of Jessica and Michael together.”
Jessica Chastain has never commented on her father’s death or their estrangement publicly. She has focused on her career and her personal life instead. She married Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, an Italian fashion executive, in 2017. They have two children: Giulietta Chastain Passi de Preposulo, born in 2018 via surrogate, and Leonardo Chastain Passi de Preposulo, born in 2021 via surrogate.
Michael Monasterio’s cause of death was bronchitis, but his legacy is more complicated than that. He was a man who had dreams, talents, flaws, regrets, and love for his children. He was also a man who never got to know or be close to his eldest daughter, who became one of the most celebrated stars in the world. His story is a tragic one, but also a reminder of the importance of family and forgiveness.
