The skin-tight, beige and rhinestone dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President” to John F. Kennedy has sold at auction in West Hollywood for $4.8 million dollars.
The dress was sold on the first day of a three-day auction of Monroe’s personal and career items at Julien’s Auctions.
The skintight, sheer, flesh-colored dress designed by Jean Louis that sparkled with more than 2,500 hand-stitched crystals was presented on a custom- made mannequin designed to match Monroe’s exact body measurements in the Thursday night auction.
Monroe wore the dress on May 19, 1962, at a Democratic Party fundraiser and early 45th birthday celebration for Kennedy at the since-demolished third version of Madison Square Garden.
Other items sold Thursday included:
— a cocktail dress Monroe wore in the film “Some Like it Hot” sold for $450,000;
— the gown Monroe wore to the 1955 premiere of the film “The Rose Tattoo” sold for $125,000;
— a costume Monroe wore in the film “Bus Stop,” along with a studio image and tear sheet sold for $100,000;
— a gown Monroe wore in “There’s No Business Like Show Business” sold for $81,000;
— a gown Monroe wore in the Prince and the Showgirl” and window card sold for $75,000; and
— the negligee Monroe wore in the film “Niagara” sold for $59,000.
The auction will continue through Saturday.
