Inside Kim Kardashian’s Expensive Obsession With Dead Celebrities’ Personal Items
Over the years, Kim Kardashian has built a collection of items that belong to major celebrities. In 2022, she caused controversy when she wore Marilyn Monroe’s dress to the Met Gala. Since then, she has faced further criticism for purchasing items that belonged to celebrities. Still, she continues to drop major money on celebrity-connected items.
Kim Kardashian has a lock of Marilyn Monroe’s hair
After Kardashian wore Monroe’s dress to the Met Gala, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! gifted her a lock of Monroe’s hair. An expert later claimed that the hair was a fake, leading Ripley’s to defend it.
“Ripley’s exhibit collection contains six different samples of Marilyn Monroe’s hair — all authenticated and truly Marilyn’s,” they said in a statement to People. “The hair gifted to Kim was given by Marilyn Monroe to Robert Champion. This clipping was authenticated by John Reznikoff, one of the most respected and trusted experts in the field of hair collecting.”
Kim Kardashian owns another public figure’s watch
While the hair clipping was free, Kardashian has shelled out thousands on other items. She purchased a watch belonging to Jackie Kennedy Onassis in 2017. The gold Cartier with a black band cost her $395,000 at an auction. Kardashian said she wore it to the White House when she met with Donald Trump.
“I bought Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s watch at auction,” she told Vogue. “I wore it when I went to the White House. It gave me some power: Let’s get in there and get this done!”
She purchased Princess Diana’s jewelry
In 2023, Kardashian purchased the Attallah Cross that Princess Diana owned. The piece cost her $197,453.
“This is a bold piece of jewelry by its size, color, and style which cannot fail to make a vibrant statement, whether it be of faith or fashion — or indeed both,” Sotheby London’s Head of Jewelry, Kristian Spofforth, said in a statement, per People. “We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life within the hands of another globally famous name.”
The cross, which features amethysts bordered by diamonds, weighs 5.25 carats.
She gifted her daughter items owned by Michael Jackson
In 2019, Kardashian gifted her daughter, North, a velvet jacket worn by Michael Jackson. She also gave North the white fedora that he wore in the “Smooth Criminal” music video. The hat still has some of the artist’s makeup staining it.
“For Christmas, Kanye and I gave North this jacket, and this was Michael Jackson’s jacket that he wore with Elizabeth Taylor,” she wrote on social media. “North is a really big Michael Jackson fan, and we knew she would love this.”
The items cost over $65,000.
She owns an outfit worn by Janet Jackson
Kardashian expanded her collection of items owned by the Jackson family when she purchased the outfit worn by Janet Jackson in the music video “If.”
“Happy birthday queen!” Kardashian wrote in a message to her on Instagram. “For @janetjackson’s bday bc I’m such a fan I can’t believe I won this outfit on @juliens_auctions.”
She spent $25,000 on the outfit.
Kim Kardashian also bought Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry
In 2011, Kardashian purchased three jade bracelets designed by Lorraine Schwartz. Elizabeth Taylor previously owned the items.
“She loved those bangles for a long time,” Schwartz told Forbes. “She bought them because they’re Elizabeth’s.”
While the items were initially expected to sell for $8,000, she got them for $64,900.
“If you have a piece of jade, the energy goes into the piece and you absorb the energy,” Kardashian said. “So I can feel Elizabeth in the piece.”
