One of the sparkly socks worn by the late pop star Michael Jackson during a concert in France in 1997 fetched more than $8,800 at auction in Nimes, French auctioneer Aurore Illy said.
The sock, found outside Jackson's dressing room by a technician following his show in Nimes during the HIStory World Tour, was subsequently determined to be one of the white athletic socks the singer was known to don on stage, bedazzled with glittering diamantes. Similar socks can be seen in video footage of his iconic "Billie Jean" number on that tour with Jackson wearing them.
Over two decades on, the sock is worn stained and with its diamantes showing noticeably yellowed with age. Nevertheless, Illy termed the piece "exceptional" and "cult" for loyal Jackson fans.
Initially estimated to sell for between €3,000 and €4,000 (around $3,400–$4,500), the sock went under the hammer for €7,688 (around $8,822), more than double expectations, as cataloged by specialist auction house Interencheres.
It's not the first time Michael Jackson memorabilia have brought in big bucks. Back in 2009, a sparkly glove he used during his first-ever moonwalk back in 1983 was bought by a Macau casino resort for $350,000. Recently, in 2023, a hat Jackson wore moments before the historic performance sold for more than $80,000 in Paris.
Jackson, who passed away in 2009 from a drug overdose at the age of 50, remains extremely popular with his fan base. His legacy, though, is muddied by long-standing allegations of child molestation that he and his estate repeatedly denied.
Notwithstanding the scandals, fans and collectors remain very interested in owning a part of Jackson's legendary musical heritage.
