1. Britney Spears’ Schoolgirl Outfit – >$60,000
That K‑mart‑sourced schoolgirl outfit from “…Baby One More Time” became iconic overnight. Britney’s idea, inspired by a Grease‑style school uniform, helped shape the image of ’90s teen pop and cemented her status as a pop culture lodestar.. The costume features a cropped white shirt, grey cardigan, mini pleated skirt, and thigh‑high socks, king of Y2K school video fashion. In recent years, this very ensemble changed hands for over $60,000, often spotlighted in museum exhibits or private collections dedicated to music fashion history. It’s more than nostalgia, it’s a symbol of the bold, rebellious energy she infused into pop and style at just 16.
2. Bruce Lee’s Nunchaku – $77k+
Bruce Lee’s on-screen nunchaku, used in test fight footage and promo shoots, aren’t just show props; they’re martial arts legends in hardwood form. Sourced directly from his personal collection and used on Game of Death and Enter the Dragon sets, one pair fetched HK$450,000 (≈ US $58k) in a 2013 auction. Later, a more authenticated pair from Julien’s Auctions sold for about US $83,200.. Each gouge, dent, and patina tells the story of Lee’s movements and philosophy, making it a martial arts and cinema treasure.
3. Whitney Houston’s Bible – >$95,000
Whitney Houston’s beloved Bible, said to be with her during moments of spiritual reflection. It features her handwritten notes, including documentation of her marriage to Bobby Brown and the birth of her daughter Bobbi Kristina. It was left behind by the singer when she moved out of her Newport Beach luxury rental in 2011. Her former landlord, who found the Bible in a box along with some clothes and CDs, is selling it through Moments in Time. It’s unclear if the Bible has been sold, but it was listed for $95,000 in multiple reports from June 2018, proving collectors prize arennot just stage costumes and awards, but intimate objects tied to a star’s inner world. Holding it, fans feel closer to Whitney, her hopes, prayers, and quiet strength, offering a poignant glimpse behind the curtain of fame.
4. Elvis’s Rhinestone Jumpsuit – $300,000
Elvis’s famed “Peacock” jumpsuit, adorned with teal and blue rhinestones forming a dazzling peacock motif, was worn during his mid‑’70s Las Vegas shows. Designed by Bill Belew, it featured over 6,500 individual stones and an elaborately embroidered leather belt echoing the U.S. Great Seal.. This flamboyant stage costume perfectly captured the glittering excess of his late‑career image, blending showmanship with star power. Auctioned in 2008, the suit fetched around US $300,000, setting the record at the time for his most expensive jumpsuit sale, especially impressive considering some versions went for as “low” as $250,000. It’s much more than a worn outfit, it’s a glittering emblem of The King’s legendary stage presence and a colorful piece of rock ‘n’ roll history.
5. Kurt Cobain’s MTV Sweater – $334,000
The olive‑green cardigan Kurt Cobain wore during Nirvana’s legendary MTV Unplugged session in November 1993 is as raw and unfiltered as his performance. The sweater, never washed, retains burn holes, cigarette burns, and stains, physical marks that make it all the more authentic.. Originally expected to sell for $40,000–$60,000 in 2015, it fetched $137,500 at a Los Angeles sale.It was then later resold in October 2019 at Julien’s “Icons & Idols: Rock ’n’ Roll” sale in New York for $334,000, making it the most expensive sweater ever auctioned at that time. In those unplugged performances, just six months before his death, the sweater became a visual echo of Cobain’s vulnerability and authenticity. It embodied the emotional candidness that defined the moment.
6. Michael Jackson’s Sequin Glove – $420,000
The single white glove encrusted with sequins that Michael Jackson donned during his historic “Motown 25” performance, where he first debuted the moonwalk in 1983, became an instant icon. Julien’s Auctions later sold this glove for US $420,000 in 2009, becoming a record‑setting price at the time and cementing its place among the most coveted pieces of pop culture memorabilia.. It’s a symbol of transformation, from performer to icon, from shy young artist to pop legend. That glove wasn’t just an accessory; it was a statement. During that unforgettable live broadcast, Jackson transformed contemporary dance and performance.
7. Princess Diana’s Velvet Gown – $600K+
This elegant deep-purple velvet gown, designed by Victor Edelstein and famously worn during Diana’s 1991 portrait session, embodies royal grace and timeless style. It outshone expectations at Sotheby’s in January 2023, rising to $604,800, far surpassing its $120K estimate.. The gown’s rich color, expert tailoring, and its link to Diana’s enduring fashion legacy made it a highly coveted piece. Each stitch whispers of early ’90s couture, and Diana’s poise cemented it as an iconic garment. Beyond its aesthetic charm, this dress marks Diana’s confidence after her divorce, a moment when she evolved privately and publicly. Collectors prize it as a symbol of that pivotal era. Its sale reaffirms how her wardrobe continues to transcend mere clothes, carrying her spirit into both hearts and headlines.
8. Audrey Hepburn’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Dress – ~$1M
This Givenchy-designed black dress is the one worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film’s opening sequence. It was sold at Christie’s London on December 5, 2006, for £467,200 (approximately US $800,000 at the time). It was well below $1 million but already had a record for a film-worn dress. The dress itself is a character, immortalized on screen and at auction, carrying with it the aura of Tiffany’s sophistication and Hepburn’s elegance. It’s undeniably iconic and a cinematic artifact.
9. Ringo Starr’s 1963 Drum Kit – $2.2M
Ringo Starr’s 1963 Ludwig “Oyster Black Pearl” drum kit wasn’t just an instrument, it was the heartbeat behind The Beatles’ early hits. He played it on classics like “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, over 200 performances between 1963–64, it was sold at Julien’s in late 2015 to Jim Irsay for approximately US $2.2 million, smashing the pre-sale $300K–$500K estimate and setting a world record for a drum kit. It’s a reminder that some artifacts aren’t just owned, they’re relived, note by note.
10. Marilyn Monroe’s Birthday Dress – $4.8M
The legendary dress was worn by Marilyn Monroe to serenade President Kennedy at his May 1962 birthday. After a record-breaking sale at Christie’s in 1999 for US $1.26M, the dress soared to US $4.8 million in November 2016 at Julien’s, bought by Ripley’s Believe It or Not, a jaw‑dropping sum that reflects her luminous allure. When Marilyn put it on, she became an icon of seduction, and politics, anchoring her status in pop culture’s hall of fame.
This story 10 Pieces of Iconic Celebrity Memorabilia That Sold for a Fortune, Ranked by Value was first published on Daily FETCH
