A worn and stained sock once belonging to Michael Jackson has sold for €7,688 (approximately $8,822) at an auction in Nîmes, southern France, drawing international attention from collectors and fans of the late music icon.
The sock, covered in rhinestones and now discolored with age, was originally expected to fetch between €3,000 and €4,000, according to the auction listing on specialist site interencheres.com. Instead, it sold for nearly double its estimated value, highlighting Jackson’s enduring global appeal.
According to auctioneer Aurore Illy, the sock was discovered by a technician after one of Jackson’s concerts during the HIStory World Tour in July 1997. It had reportedly been discarded near the artist’s dressing room following the performance in Nîmes.
“It really is an exceptional object — even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans,” Illy told AFP. The item was authenticated and accompanied by documentation linking it to Jackson’s wardrobe.
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The sock is believed to be one of the white athletic socks adorned with rhinestones that Jackson famously wore during his performances of hits like “Billie Jean.” Video clips from the 1997 tour show Jackson wearing identical socks while executing his iconic moonwalk and dance routines.
Decades later, the off-white fabric is visibly stained, and the once-sparkling rhinestones have yellowed. Yet these signs of wear only added to the authenticity and desirability of the item for bidders.
Michael Jackson, who passed away in 2009, continues to be one of the most collectible figures in pop culture. From performance outfits to handwritten lyrics, items tied to his legacy regularly draw high prices at auctions worldwide.
This latest sale underscores the deep connection fans still feel to the “King of Pop,” where even a discarded sock becomes a prized piece of music history.