PARIS: A pair of rhinestone-adorned socks once worn by music legend Michael Jackson have sold for over $8,800 at an auction in France—nearly triple their initial estimate, according to auction house Aurore Illy.
The white athletic socks, famously decorated with rhinestones, were worn by Jackson during a 1997 performance of Billie Jean on his HIStory World Tour in Nîmes, southern France. A backstage technician reportedly discovered them near the pop star’s dressing room after the concert. The socks remained preserved in a framed display for 28 years before being offered for sale.“These socks are a truly extraordinary item for fans,” said Aurore Illy, a representative of the auction house. “They carry both historical and emotional value, especially considering the global legacy of Michael Jackson.”
According to the auction listing on Interencheres.com, the socks were featured in Jackson’s iconic Billie Jean performance—a song often linked with his legendary Moonwalk dance. A photo accompanying the listing showed visible staining and yellowing of the rhinestones, testifying to their age and authenticity.
Originally expected to fetch between €3,000 and €4,000 (approximately $3,400 to $4,500), the socks ultimately sold for €7,688—about $8,822 or over Rs2.26 million in Pakistani currency.
This sale adds to a growing list of high-value Jackson memorabilia. In 2009, a glittery glove he wore during his first televised Moonwalk in 1983 was purchased by a Macau resort for $350,000. More recently, in 2023, a hat worn just before that same performance sold in Paris for over $80,000. A leather jacket Jackson wore in a 1984 Pepsi commercial was also auctioned for over $300,000.
Despite ongoing controversies and posthumous scrutiny—including allegations of child abuse, which Jackson and his estate have consistently denied—demand for the singer’s memorabilia remains strong. Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50 from a drug overdose, but his influence and global fan base continue to drive interest in his legacy.
