A single rhinestone-covered sock once worn by the late pop icon Michael Jackson during a 1997 performance in France has fetched Sh1 million (around $8,000) at auction.
Jackson’s glittering white athletic sock, famously worn by the celebrated singer during his “Billie Jean” performance on the HIStory World Tour stop in Nîmes, was sold by French auction house Artpèges in Paris on Wednesday.
Initially valued between KSh400,000 and KSh607,000 ($3,400–$4,500), the item sparked a bidding war among collectors, a testament to the King of Pop’s enduring appeal. The amount is almost double its pre-sale estimate.
According to France 24, the sock was reportedly found near a dressing room after the 1997 concert and kept in private hands until now. Despite being covered in stains and with some rhinestones yellowed with age, the sock remains a rare piece of Jackson memorabilia, clearly shown in the posted image on the auction site.
The sale comes as part of a long-running fascination with Jackson’s personal items. In previous auctions, a crystal-covered glove worn during his iconic 1983 “moonwalk” performance fetched a staggering KSh44.8 million ($350,000) after it was sold to a Macau-based gaming resort.
In 2023, a black fedora hat worn just before that same legendary moonwalk was auctioned in Paris for over KSh10 million ($80,000).
Though his legacy has long been marred by controversy, including persistent allegations of child molestation, allegations Jackson and his estate vehemently denied during his life and after his death, fans and collectors continue to revere his influence in pop culture.
Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50 following a fatal overdose of the powerful anaesthetic propofol, administered by his personal physician. Even in death, his memorabilia remains among the most sought-after in the world, reflecting the lingering fascination with the man whose music and persona changed the face of global entertainment.