A single sparkling sock once worn by pop legend Michael Jackson has fetched a whopping $8,822 at auction, highlighting the enduring legacy of the King of Pop.
The sock—stained, faded, and embellished with rhinestones—was worn during Jackson’s HIStory World Tour in 1997. It was discovered by a technician near his dressing room after a concert in Nîmes, France, and carefully preserved in a frame for 28 years before being put up for sale, according to auctioneer Aurore Illy.
Featured in clips of Jackson’s electrifying “Billie Jean” performance, the sock remains a symbol of his signature style. Despite its age—with visible stains and yellowed rhinestones—the item was deemed a “cult object” by Illy and captured the attention of collectors and fans worldwide.
Initially estimated between €3,000 and €4,000, the sock ultimately sold for €7,688 at the Nîmes auction house, as reported by interencheres.com.
This isn’t the first time memorabilia from Jackson’s iconic performances has sold for staggering sums. In 2009, a glittery glove worn during his first-ever moonwalk in 1983 went for $350,000 to a Macau casino. Similarly, in 2023, a hat worn just before that legendary performance sold for over $80,000, while a leather jacket from a 1984 Pepsi commercial fetched more than $300,000.