Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white dress from her performance of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” in 1962 is estimated to be worth approximately $4.8 million. On November 17th, 2016, the dress was auctioned off by Julien’s Auctions and sold for a record-breaking $4.81 million.
The dress was designed by late French designer Jean Louis and was worn by Monroe in her 1962 performance as part of unified Democratic fundraisers organized by then Attorney General of the United States, Robert F. Kennedy.
The ivory-colored dress is said to have been a form-fitting symbol of her public persona, featuring thousands of hand-sewn crystals, rhinestones and sequins. The dress is often considered to be one of the most iconic dresses of all time and the most valuable piece of Hollywood memorabilia ever sold.
It is currently owned by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums.
Why was Kim allowed to wear Marilyn’s dress?
Kim was allowed to wear Marilyn’s dress because it was part of a special exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the actress’s birth. This exhibition celebrated Monroe’s impact as a cultural icon and fashion trendsetter, and the blue dress that Kim wore was a recreation of one of the most iconic numbers from her movie, The Seven Year Itch.
As part of the exhibition, museum visitors were allowed to take photographs and videos of the dress, allowing Kim to capture the moment for posterity. The MET also gave Kim permission to take home the reproduction of the dress, allowing her to add it to her personal collection as a memento of the experience.
What was the most expensive dress Marilyn Monroe?
The most expensive Marilyn Monroe dress ever to be sold was her iconic sheer beaded “Happy Birthday” dress, which became world famous when she sang for President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The dazzling, skintight, beaded number was designed by Jean Louis and sold for a staggering $4.8 million at a Los Angeles auction in 2016.
The outfit included an underslip and gloves, both embellished with sequins. It was purchased by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! founder Robert Ripley in the 1950s and was hidden away in the archives since then.
Made of over 2,500 hand-sewn crystals and what is reportedly the world’s first use of nude tulle, stitched with sequins and rhinestones, it’s no surprise that this dress remained the most beloved and expensive of all of Marilyn Monroe’s outfits.
Who owns the original Marilyn Monroe dress?
The iconic Marilyn Monroe dress has been owned by multiple parties over the years. In 1955, the iconic white dress from Monroe’s most famous film, The Seven Year Itch, was originally created for her character’s wardrobe in the movie.
After Monroe wore the dress in the infamous subway grate scene, the dress was sold for $4,000 to costume designer William Travilla. He subsequently kept the dress in his personal collection and it was not seen in public for over fifty years.
In 2011, the dress was sold at a Los Angeles auction to an anonymous buyer for a staggering $5.6 million. The anonymous buyer turned out to be Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the international museum chain, which announced it would use the dress as its centerpiece in an interactive exhibit across all of its museums.
For those wishing to see the icon dress in person, only two original replicas of the dress exist. They are on display at the Museum of Hollywood Costume in Madrid and the Queen of Hollywood Museum in Guadalajara.
Who kept Marilyn Monroe’s money?
Marilyn Monroe’s money was kept primarily by her accountant, Inez Melson. As Monroe’s secretary and business manager, Melson acted as her closest confidante, assisting with the management of her finances and investments.
In the 1960s, Monroe placed her finances, including her investments, in Melson’s hands and reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from a major Hollywood studio to build a financial security system for her alone.
Melson worked as Monroe’s confidante and business manager until her death in 1962. Monroe’s estate was managed by Melson, who acted as the executor of her will. Her estate totaled an estimated $27 million, a considerable amount for the time.
Melson was especially influential in protecting Monroe’s interests and copyrights, ensuring that her name and image continued to be used and protected by her designated beneficiaries. In the decades following Monroe’s death, Melson stayed abreast of changes in the managing of Monroe’s estate, resolving disputes and protecting the Monroe name and image from unauthorized use.
What was Marilyn Monroe’s most expensive dress?
Marilyn Monroe was most famous for her iconic white dress, immortalized in the iconic photograph of her standing over the subway grate. However, her most expensive dress was a formal evening gown designed by Jean Louis and Carroll Reed for her 1954 musical comedy film, There’s No Business Like Show Business.
The dress, which was encrusted with over 2,500 rhinestones, sequins, and pearls, cost $1,280 in 1954, which is around $12,800 in today’s money. She also wore the dress to a premiere in Tokyo and a special screening of her film in New York.
Even after all these years, the dress is still a sought after collector’s item, with replicas and modern versions widely available.
How much did the Happy Birthday Mr President dress sell for?
The iconic “Happy Birthday Mr President” dress was sold at a Los Angeles auction on August 9, 2016, for a whopping $4.8 million. The Jean-Louis Berthault white chiffon halter gown made of 1950s-era fabric was worn by Marilyn Monroe in her storied rendition of the song to President John F. Kennedy.
The dress was considered to be one of the most iconic in the history of pop culture, and the stunning price reflected its iconic status. The item was sold as part of an extensive collection of Monroe’s costume and personal items, known as the “Something’s Got to Give” auction.
Other items included her mink stole, her engagement ring from Joe DiMaggio, and even funny photos related to her wedding from Johnny Hyde.
What diet did Kim follow to fit into Marilyn’s dress?
Kim’s diet to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress was one that was centered around portion control and low-calorie dishes. She began by cutting out all sugary and processed foods and drinks as they tend to be packed with empty calories.
She also limited her intake of red meat and dairy products. Instead, she focused on eating primarily lean proteins like chicken, fish, and turkey along with nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. To go along with this, she cut back on meals that were higher in carbohydrates, and instead chose to opt for whole grains, legumes, and quinoa.
To further her efforts, Kim also began an exercise regimen that focused on cardio and strength training which she paired with yoga and pilates. Kim also made sure to get plenty of rest to ensure her body was functioning optimally.
With a few months of hard work and dedication, Kim managed to fit into Marilyn’s iconic dress, proving that anything is possible with the right approach.
How much weight did Kim Kardashian lose to fit into Met dress?
Kim Kardashian reportedly lost a whopping 20 pounds to fit into the designer dress she wore to attend the Met Gala in 2018. She worked hard to fit into the Thierry Mugler dress, which was dubbed the ‘Snakeskin Dress’ due to its sheer and sheer feathers.
Kim admitted to fans in an interview she drastically cut back on carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol, as well as working out with a personal trainer five days a week. While her diet and work out plan played a major role in her weight loss, she also got help from the medical professionals she recognized in the media.
As such she was injected with a mixture of vitamins, amino acids and minerals to help jump-start her quick weight loss. Although she achieved her goal of fitting into the dress, Kim continues to be mindful of her health, diet and fitness.
