EXHIBIT 99

                                  June 10, 2005


Masco Corporation
21001 Van Born Road
Taylor, Michigan  48180-

         RE:      MASCO CORPORATION
                  REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM S-3
                  (REG. NO. 333-100641)

Dear Sirs:

         I have acted as your counsel in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-100641) under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), registering securities of Masco Corporation
(the "Company"), including among other securities, debt securities, which
registration statement has heretofore become effective. Such registration
statement as amended and supplemented, including documents incorporated therein
by reference, are herein referred to as the "Registration Statement." I have
also acted as your counsel in connection with issuance and sale of $500,000,000
aggregate principal amount of the Company's 4.80% Notes Due 2015 (the
"Securities") in an underwritten public offering pursuant to an Underwriting
Agreement dated as of June 7, 2005 between the Company and the underwriters
named therein. The Securities are to be issued under an Indenture dated as of
February 12, 2001 between the Company and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National
Association (successor in interest to Bank One Trust Company, National
Association), as Trustee (the "Indenture"). The prospectus dated December 11,
2002 and the prospectus supplement dated June 7, 2005 relating to the Securities
(the "Prospectus Supplement") in the forms filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424 of the Act, including documents incorporated therein by reference, are
herein referred to as the "Prospectus."

         I, or attorneys under my supervision upon whom I am relying, have
examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my
satisfaction, of such documents and corporate records, as I have deemed
necessary or advisable for the purpose of this opinion, and I have participated
in the preparation of the Registration Statement. Based upon the foregoing, I am
of the opinion that:

         (1) The Company has been duly incorporated and is a validly existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;






         (2) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company; and

         (3) The issuance of the Securities has been duly authorized by
appropriate corporate action, the Securities have been duly executed,
authenticated and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and sold as
described in the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus and Prospectus
Supplement relating to the Securities, and the Securities are valid and binding
obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 99 to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K. I also consent to the reference to me
under the caption "Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus.



                                                    Very truly yours,

                                                    /s/ John R. Leekley

                                                    John R. Leekley
                                                    Senior Vice President
                                                       and General Counsel