Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' Dress Sold to Ripley's for $4.8 Million
The actress wore the gown in 1962 at JFK's early 45th birthday celebration.
— -- Marilyn Monroe's iconic sequin gown that she wore while singing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy has been sold at auction for $4.8 million.
Julien's Auctions said in a Nov. 17 news release that the flesh-colored dress, worn by the legendary actress, now belongs to Ripley's Believe It or Not.
Monroe wore the garment on May 19, 1962, at a Democratic fundraiser and early 45th birthday celebration for JFK.
The custom Jean Louis creation sparkled with 2,500 hand-stitched crystals and was so tight that the blonde bombshell had to be sewn into it at last minute, Julien's reported. The dress was presented on a mannequin that matched Monroe's exact body measurements.
"All in all, Marilyn’s performance lasted approximately 30 seconds, but more than five decades later, it remains the most famous version of 'Happy Birthday' ever," Julien's wrote in the release. "The dress, the performance, Jacqueline Kennedy’s absence and photographs from the evening would spark ravenous rumors of an affair between the president and Marilyn."
Julien's Auctions sold the dress during the first day of its three-day "The Collections of Marilyn Monroe" auction. Among other items sold was Monroe's "Some Like it Hot" cocktail dress which fetched $450,000.
The event will continue through Saturday, Nov. 19.
