25 Facts About Marie Castello

Marie Castello, who was known as Madam Marie, was an American fortune teller and psychic reader who worked on the Asbury Park, New Jersey, boardwalk from 1932 until 2008.

Madam Marie was the longest running tenant on the Asbury Park boardwalk.

Marie Castello was a fixture in Asbury Park for decades, telling fortunes on and off at her tiny booth on the boardwalk which is nicknamed The Temple of Knowledge.

Marie Castello read the fortunes of celebrities ranging from Judy Garland to Bruce Springsteen.

Marie Castello reportedly told Springsteen that he would be a huge success.

Marie Castello was born in Neptune City, New Jersey, on May 25,1915.

Marie Castello's mother was from Canada, and her maternal grandfather was originally from Australia.

Marie Castello claimed that her family surname Marie Castello was the name given to her late husband's grandfather by American immigration officials when he passed through New York's Ellis Island from the Russian Empire during the 19th century.

Marie Castello was not sure what her family's name originally was.

Madam Marie Castello began telling fortunes at her small, twelve foot square booth called the Temple of Knowledge in 1932.

Springsteen began visiting Madam Marie, as Castello was known on the boardwalk, around the age of 17, and often played his guitar outside of her booth.

Marie Castello gained a following among celebrities who often stopped at Asbury Park to perform at the nearby Asbury Park Convention Hall during her long career on the boardwalk, especially during the 1960s.

Marie Castello continued to work on the boardwalk despite the decline of Asbury Park during the 1970s.

Marie Castello became one of the few businesses that remained on the boardwalk during the 1970s and 1980s as tourism in Asbury Park declined.

Marie Castello did not talk about the decline of Asbury Park during the 1970s stating, "It's something I want to forget," in a May 2008 interview.

Marie Castello closed down her regular daily business on the boardwalk in 1997, which coincided with a decline in business in Asbury Park.

Marie Castello continued to read fortunes in nearby Ocean Township, New Jersey.

Madam Marie Castello returned to fortunetelling at her Temple of Knowledge in Asbury Park on July 4,2004, after a seven-year hiatus from the boardwalk, her longest absence since the 1930s.

Marie Castello's return coincided with renewed investment and a boom in new businesses in Asbury Park.

Marie Castello resumed giving fortune readings to customers on weekends only, charging between $5 and $35 for her predictions.

Marie Castello continued to work as a fortuneteller at her booth in Asbury Park until she died in 2008.

Marie Castello suffered from arthritis during her later years, which sometimes kept her away from her business.

Marie Castello died unexpectedly on June 27,2008, at the age of 93.

Marie Castello was very, very strong until the day she died.

Marie Castello's family continues to give readings from Marie Castello's booth on the Asbury Park boardwalk.