NIMES, Nigeria — A single glittery sock once worn by pop icon Michael Jackson during his 1997 concert in France has sold for €7,688 (about $8,822) at auction, according to French auctioneer Aurore Illy.
The rhinestone-studded white athletic sock was discovered by a technician near Jackson’s dressing room following a performance in the southern city of Nîmes during the HIStory World Tour.
The item had originally been valued between €3,000 and €4,000.
“It really is an exceptional object — even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans,” Illy told AFP.
Photos posted on the specialist auction site interencheres.com show the sock now aged and stained, with yellowing rhinestones — yet still unmistakably linked to Jackson’s signature style.
Jackson famously wore glittery socks and gloves during performances of hits like “Billie Jean.”
The sock in question is believed to have been worn during such a performance in Nîmes, where Jackson thrilled thousands of fans.
While this sale might seem modest compared to other Jackson memorabilia — such as a glove that fetched $350,000 in 2009 or a hat that sold for over $80,000 in Paris last year — it underscores the continued fascination with the late star’s legacy.
Michael Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50 from a drug overdose.
Though his reputation has been marred by allegations of child sexual abuse — which he and his estate have consistently denied — his global fan base remains fiercely loyal, and collectors continue to pay handsomely for artefacts linked to his life and career.
