A single glittery sock once worn by Michael Jackson during a 1997 concert in Nîmes, southern France, has been sold for €7,688 (approximately $8,822), according to French auctioneer Aurore Illy.
The rhinestone-studded white athletic sock was worn by the late pop icon during his HIStory World Tour. It was discovered discarded near his dressing room by a technician after the July 1997 performance, Illy told AFP.
Originally valued between €3,000 and €4,000, the item drew strong interest from collectors and fans alike. Despite being discolored and stained with age, the sock is considered a rare and “cult” object by Jackson enthusiasts.
“It really is an exceptional item, even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans,” said Illy.
Jackson famously wore glittering socks while performing his hit “Billie Jean,” and video clips from the HIStory tour show him donning the same style.
The sock joins a growing list of Jackson memorabilia that has fetched impressive sums at auction. In 2009, a Macau gaming resort paid $350,000 for the glove Jackson wore during his first televised moonwalk performance in 1983. More recently, a hat he wore just before that iconic moment sold for over $80,000 in Paris in 2023.
Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50 from a fatal overdose of prescription drugs. While his legacy remains controversial due to longstanding allegations of child abuse, claims he and his estate have consistently denied, his global fan base remains devoted, and his memorabilia continues to command high prices.
