The crystal-embroidered sock, adorned with rhinestones, was part of a music memorabilia sale held in the southern French city of Nîmes.
According to auctioneer Aurore Illy, the sock was discovered by a technician near Jackson's dressing room after a concert in July 1997 during his 'HIStory World Tour.'
Initially expected to sell for between €3,000 and €4,000, the item sparked bidding interest and ultimately fetched nearly double its estimate. The off-white sock, now stained and yellowed with age, remains a rare piece of pop culture history. Organisers of the auction described it as a 'cult object' for fans of the late entertainer.
Jackson, known for his flashy stage outfits and iconic performances, wore glittery white socks during renditions of his hit 'Billie Jean.' Footage from the 1997 tour shows him dancing in the same style of sock during his performances, adding sentimental and historical value to the auctioned item.
While this sale may seem extravagant, it pales in comparison to previous auctions of Jackson memorabilia. In 2009, a crystal glove he wore during his first televised 'moonwalk' performance sold for $350,000 to a Macau gaming resort. A fedora he tossed into the crowd before that iconic moment fetched over $80,000 in Paris in 2023.
Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, remains one of the most influential figures in global pop music. Often referred to as the "King of Pop," he is celebrated for revolutionising the music industry through genre-blending innovation, groundbreaking music videos, and signature dance moves like the moonwalk.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
