A single rhinestone-covered sock once worn by the late pop legend Michael Jackson during a 1997 concert in Nîmes, France, has been sold at auction for €7,688 (approximately $8,822 or Ksh.1.04 million), according to French auctioneer Aurore Illy.

The white athletic sock, now off-white and aged with yellowing rhinestones, was discovered by a technician near Jackson’s dressing room after his performance during the “HIStory World Tour.” The sock was notably worn during Jackson’s rendition of “Billie Jean”, a performance where glittery socks and his signature moves, including the moonwalk, took center stage.

Initially valued at €3,000–€4,000, the sock was hailed as a “cult object” by Illy and attracted intense interest from collectors and fans alike. It was listed on Interencheres, a specialist auction site known for unique memorabilia.

This is not the first time Jackson’s performance wear has captured headlines: in 2009, a Macau resort purchased his famed moonwalk glove for $350,000. More recently, a hat he wore moments before his first moonwalk sold for over $80,000 in Paris in 2023.

Despite controversies surrounding his legacy, Michael Jackson continues to command a devoted global fan base and a thriving market for memorabilia tied to his iconic career.