Sold at $4.8 million, the sheer, flesh-colored design, composed of 2,500 hand-stitched crystal dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in her Happy Birthday performance during the Pres. John F. Kennedy's 45th birthday is said to be the most expensive dress in history. The Ripley's Believe It Or Not won the auctioned dress during the Julien's Auction, which had a pre-sale estimate of US $3 million-worth.
According to The Guardian, Vice President of Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Edward Meyer, consider it as the most iconic in pop culture during an interview with Press Association. He also added, "In the 20th century, I cannot think of one single item that tells the story of the 1960's as well as this dress. It's a new world record for the dress." Moreover, Julien's Auctions Executive Director, Martin Nolan also said, "This dress, this story, this momentous occasion represents a defining moment in history." He believes that this dress will remind the world of why Marilyn Monroe is an icon.
They are going to display the iconic dress in the Ripley's Believe it or Not in Hollywood, and it will be showcased in their different branches across the globe. The "Happy Birthday" dress overshadowed Monroe's "Seven Year Itch" dress during the Christie's Auction. News.com.au reports, that a custom-made mannequin was created with the exact body measurements of Monroe to properly showcase the beauty of the auctioned dress.
In front of 15,000 guests, Marilyn Monroe with her trademark tones sang her own version of the "Happy Birthday" song during a democratic fundraising event at New York Madison Square Garden. The famous Hollywood star, later on, found dead at the age of 36 less than three months after her performance due to a drug overdose. Rumour has it that she and JFK had a love affair, but is not confirmed. Over the three-day auction, hundreds of Monroe's items were displayed and sold.
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