Asingle sparkly sock that late pop icon Michael Jackson donned during a concert in France in the 1990s fetched over $8,000 on Wednesday, according to a French auction house.

Michael Jackson's dirty sock sells for over $8,000 in France

A technician discovered the worn sock discarded next to Jackson’s dressing area following the performance in the southern city of Nimes in July 1997, auctioneer Aurore Illy informed AFP.

The self-proclaimed “King of Pop” sported white athletic socks embellished with rhinestones during his “HIStory World Tour” in 1997, as noted by the specialist website interencheres.com.

Jackson is visible wearing these socks in footage of him singing his famous song “Billie Jean.” Many years later, the off-white piece of clothing is stained, and the rhinestones on it have yellowed over time, as seen in a photo shared on the website.

Originally estimated to be worth between 3,000 and 4,000 euros ($3,400-4,500), the sock ultimately sold for 7,688 euros ($8,822) at the auction house in Nimes.
Michael Jackson's Sock Auctions for $8,000 Different socks worn by the pop star on show at the Fashion Museum in Santiago, Chile in 2009 © MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP
A gaming resort in Macau purchased a glittery glove worn by Jackson during his inaugural “moonwalk” performance in 1983 for $350,000 in 2009. A hat he used just before that iconic performance sold for over $80,000 in Paris in 2023.

Jackson passed away from a fatal overdose in 2009 at the age of 50.

He continues to maintain a large fan following, despite the child molestation allegations made against him during his life and posthumously, which he and his estate have refuted.

MARSEILLE: A single glittery sock that late pop superstar Michael Jackson wore during a concert in France in the 1990s sold for more than $8,000 on Wednesday, a French auctioneer said.

A technician found the used sock discarded near Jackson’s dressing room after the concert in the southern city of Nimes in July 1997, auctioneer Aurore Illy told AFP.

The self-styled “King of Pop” wore white athletic socks adorned with rhinestones during his “HIStory World Tour” in 1997, according to specialist website interencheres.com.

Jackson can be seen wearing them in clips of him performing his hit “Billie Jean”.

Decades later, the off-white item of clothing is covered in stains, and the rhinestones adorning it have yellowed with age, in a picture posted on the website.

“It really is an exceptional object — even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans,” Illy said.

The sock, initially valued at 3,000 to 4,000 euros ($3,400-4,500), sold for 7,688 euros ($8,822) at the Nimes auction house.

A Macau gaming resort in 2009 paid $350,000 for a glittery glove Jackson wore when he performed his first “moonwalk” dance in 1983.

A hat he wore just before that performance sold for more than $80,000 in Paris in 2023.

Jackson died of a fatal overdose in 2009 aged 50.

MARSEILLE, France – A single glittery sock that late pop superstar Michael Jackson wore during a concert in France in the 1990s sold for more than US$8,000 (S$10,000) on July 30, a French auctioneer said.

A technician found the used sock discarded near Jackson’s dressing room after the concert in the southern city of Nimes in July 1997, auctioneer Aurore Illy told AFP.

The self-styled “King of Pop” wore white athletic socks adorned with rhinestones during his HIStory World Tour in 1997, according to specialist website interencheres.com.

Jackson can be seen wearing them in clips of him performing his hit Billie Jean.

Decades later, the off-white item of clothing is covered in stains, and the rhinestones adorning it have yellowed with age, in a picture posted on the website.

“It really is an exceptional object – even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans,” Ms Illy said.

The sock, initially valued at €3,000 to €4,000 (S$4,400 to S$5,900), sold for €7,688 at the Nimes auction house.

A Macau gaming resort in 2009 paid US$350,000 for a glittery glove Jackson wore when he performed his first “moonwalk” dance in 1983.

A hat he wore just before that performance sold for more than US$80,000 in Paris in 2023.

Jackson died of a fatal overdose in 2009 aged 50.

He still has a huge fan base, despite child molestation accusations against him during his lifetime and after his death, which he and his estate have denied. AFP