A white sock worn by the legendary Michael Jackson during a 1997 performance has made headlines after selling for €7,688 (approximately $8,911) at an auction in southern France. The sock, covered in rhinestones and stained from its time on stage, was sold on Wednesday and has captivated fans of the King of Pop.
The item was worn during Jackson’s HIStory World Tour, which spanned 35 countries and featured 82 shows. It was discovered backstage in Nîmes after one of his performances, according to the auction house. The sock had been preserved in a frame for 28 years, highlighting its significance among collectors.
Aurore Illy, the auctioneer, described the sock as “an exceptional object — even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans,” during a statement to AFP. Auctioneers had initially estimated the sock’s value between €3,000 and €4,000, but the final sale price nearly doubled those expectations, showcasing the enduring allure of Jackson’s memorabilia.
Jackson’s legacy, while controversial due to longstanding allegations of child molestation—claims he and his estate have denied—continues to thrive in the collectibles market. The interest in his artifacts remains strong among fans and collectors alike. For instance, in 2009, a casino in Macau purchased the glittery glove Jackson wore during his first televised moonwalk in 1983 for $350,000. More recently, a Paris buyer paid over $80,000 for a fedora worn by Jackson during that same performance.
The auction of Jackson’s sock serves as a reminder of his lasting impact on music and pop culture, despite the controversies that have surrounded his life. In 2023, a black-and-white leather jacket from his 1984 Pepsi advertisement sold for an impressive $306,000, further illustrating the high value placed on items associated with his storied career.
Michael Jackson passed away in 2009 at the age of 50 from a fatal drug overdose, but the fascination with his life and work endures, as evidenced by the recent auction results. As fans continue to seek out memorabilia, it seems the King of Pop’s influence remains as strong as ever.
