Judy Garland’s ruby slippers sold at record-breaking price in recent auction
Credit:Shutterstock:James Kirkikis
Judy Garland’s ruby slippers worn in the film, ‘Wizard of Oz‘ have sold at auction for a record-breaking price of $32.5 million (€30.5 million).
Quite possibly some of the most expensive shoes in the world. Certainly some of the most magical. Judy Garland’s ruby slippers have fetched a record €30.5 million on auction. The iconic shoes are one of four surviving pairs and have skyrocketed in value thanks to the recent release of the blockbuster film, “Wicked.”
The shoes, aside from their newest launch to fame with the record-breaking auction, have also faced some tragedy. The red, sparkly slippers were actually stolen in 2005 and only recovered by the FBI in 2018.
Judy Garland’s ruby slippers sell for $32.5 million (€30.5 million)
Now, in a recent auction, a worthy owner, willing to pay a price of $32.5 million (€30.5 million) has managed to get their hands on the historic gem. The unforgettable pair of shoes were worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz. They carry a lifetime of childhood memories and mark an era. They finally found their new home at an auction on Saturday, completely obliterating Heritage Auctions’ $3 million (€2.8 million) estimate. The bidding was rapid fire as fans of the classic film managed to triple the expected amount within minutes with online bids initially at $1.55 million (€1.45 million).
Following the eye-popping sale of the ruby slippers, bidders and spectators in the room and online were flabbergasted to discover that this new auction price had overtaken the previous record for a piece of entertainment memorabilia by a landslide. The iconic white dress famously worn by Marilyn Monroe on a windy subway gate, sold for $5.52 million.
In 2005, the ruby slippers were unscrupulously pinched from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, by Terry Jon Martin. He was caught in 2023 after the shoes were recovered safely in 2018. Despite being in poor health, the perpetrator served time in January for the crime.
Pricey ruby slippers remembered for “There’s no place like home”
The shoes belonged to memorabilia collector, Michael Shaw, and the museum at the time had been loaning them. They were not the only pair of shoes to be worn by Garland during the filming of the Wizard of Oz. However, only four pairs currently remain. Everybody remembers the famous moment, where Judy Garland who plays Dorothy, clicks her heels three times, saying, “There’s no place like home,” in a glorious rendition of Frank L. Baum’s stories describing the magical kingdom of Oz and the desire to return back home to Kansas.
In the auction, other items on offer included Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch hat, which sold for $2.93 million (€2.75 million).
The sale underscores their enduring cultural significance, cementing them as one of the most valuable pieces of Hollywood memorabilia ever sold. The auction drew bidders from around the globe, reflecting the timeless allure of Garland’s portrayal of Dorothy and the magical journey she embodied. Fans and historians alike continue to be mesmerized by the slippers, which remain a poignant symbol of the golden age of cinema.Judy Garland’s Ruby Slippers Shatter Records in Stunning Auction Sale!
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