A single rhinestone-covered sock worn by late pop legend Michael Jackson has fetched an impressive €7,688 (approximately ₦15 million) at a recent auction held in France.
The rare piece of memorabilia, believed to have been used during Jackson’s 1997 HIStory World Tour, was discovered backstage by a stage technician after a concert in Nice. The auction took place on Tuesday, July 30, in Nîmes, southern France.
TJ Entertainment Nigeria reports that the item had been meticulously preserved inside a frame for nearly three decades. Initially estimated to sell for between €3,000 and €4,000, the sock exceeded expectations, underscoring the enduring allure of Jackson’s legacy.
The faded sock, now off-white in color and adorned with aging rhinestones, is believed to have been worn during a live performance of Billie Jean—a song widely associated with Jackson’s legendary moonwalk dance move. It was sold alongside an original backstage pass kept by the technician who recovered the item while dismantling stage equipment.
A Cult Item for Collectors
Auctioneer Aurore Illy described the sock as a “cult object” for fans of the late pop icon. “Despite its visible wear and tear, the sock’s historical and emotional value made it highly desirable to collectors,” she noted.
Over the years, Michael Jackson memorabilia has fetched significant sums on the international auction circuit. A few notable examples include:
- A glittering glove worn during his first televised moonwalk in 1983, which sold for US$350,000 to a Macau casino group.
- A fedora he threw into the crowd just before moonwalking on stage, sold in Paris in 2023 for US$80,000.
- A black-and-white leather jacket worn in a 1980s Pepsi commercial, which went for £250,000.
Legacy Beyond Music
Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, remains one of the most influential and best-selling artists of all time. His personal items, especially those connected to milestone performances, continue to attract serious interest from collectors and museums alike.
Industry analysts note that such sales are not just about fan nostalgia—they’re also viewed as high-value investments in music history.
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