Who doesn’t love a good story about Marilyn Monroe? The legendary star’s 24-carat necklace, famously worn during her unforgettable performance of "Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend" in the 1953 movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, has made headlines once again. Christie’s in Hong Kong recently auctioned off this iconic piece for a whopping 1 million pounds, which translates to roughly $1.28 million. That’s some serious bling, folks!
Let me tell you, this isn’t just any necklace. When Marilyn first laid eyes on the dazzling canary-yellow pendant, she reportedly squealed in pure delight, calling it "gorgeous!" This gem, mined in India way back in the 15th century, had quite the journey before landing on Marilyn’s neck. It was Samuel H. Deutsch, the president of a Cleveland-based diamond-cutting firm, who first acquired it in 1944. But its story doesn’t end there.
A Journey Through Auction Houses
After being sold to a Detroit jeweler in 1953, the necklace eventually found its way to Christie’s auction house, where it was sold for $297,000 in 1990. Fast forward to today, and it fetched over a million pounds. Now, here’s the kicker: the identity of the latest buyer remains a mystery. But jewelry experts suggest this might have been a fantastic deal. Why? Because items tied to celebrities often skyrocket in value over time. Marilyn’s status as an eternal icon only amplifies the allure of her belongings.
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From Necklaces to Dresses: Marilyn's Timeless Legacy
Marilyn wasn’t just famous for her dazzling jewelry. Her legendary status extends to other iconic pieces, like the dress she wore when she famously serenaded President John F. Kennedy with "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" in 1962. That dress, originally priced at $12,000, sold for a jaw-dropping $4.8 million at auction. And let me tell you, it wasn’t your average dress. It was so snug that Marilyn had to be sewn into it before her performance. Nowadays, fans can marvel at this legendary gown at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum in Los Angeles.
