5 of the most expensive Michael Jackson memorabilia ever sold: Kim Kardashian bought an outfit for North and Lady Gaga owns 55 garments – but which Hong Kong tycoon has the Moonwalk glove?

Aug 18 , 2022

Lady Gaga is a massive Michael Jackson fan, buying 55 pieces of memorabilia related to the late King of Pop. Photos: @hisflannelcure/Twitter

Kim K tailored the velvet jacket that Jackson wore to Elizabeth Taylor’s birthday for her daughter North, and bought the fedora hat he wore in Smooth Criminal’s MV

Lady Gaga splashed her cash on 55 pieces and donned the same iconic jacket for a Hillary Clinton rally that he wore to the White House – but who bought the Thriller jacket for US$1.8 million?

Throughout his legendary lifetime, Michael Jackson accumulated not only unparalleled levels of fame and success, but also vast material wealth.

Some of the late, so-called King of Pop’s most prized possessions are commonly known. Of these, the most renowned would arguably include his famed Neverland Ranch, its menagerie of zoo animals as well as a host of artworks and classic film relics.

Moreover, by the time of his tragic passing 13 years ago, the Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough singer had amassed an unrivalled personal collection of fashion and pop culture memorabilia.

Michael Jackson’s memory lives on over a decade since his passing. Photo: @__m.j.the.king__/Instagram

Considering the superstar’s universal popularity, it’s unsurprising that many of these items have since been auctioned off for huge sums of money.

In celebration of Jackson’s birthday later this month, on August 29, (he would have turned 64 this year), let’s look at some of the most impressive items auctioned off to some of the world’s most famous faces and wealthiest individuals.

1. Michael Jackson’s glove from his 1983 performance of Billie Jean: US$420,000

A collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia, including the now iconic rhinestone-studded glove he wore when he performed his first moonwalk dance in 1983, being sold at auction. Photo: AP

When he first introduced the world to his now-quintessential dance move, the Moonwalk, Jackson was performing on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever 1983 television special. During the momentous performance, the Billie Jean singer was famously wearing a single, sparkly white glove.

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Motown 25 | World Premiere (4K Best Quality Ever)

Fast forward 26 years later to November 2009, only a few months after Jackson’s death, and the iconic glove was included in an auction of some of the pop star’s most notable possessions. Taking place at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York, the Julien’s Auction sell-off saw the glove receive a winning bid from Hong Kong businessman Hoffman Ma.

Hoffman Ma of Ponte 16 in Macau, speaks to the media after purchasing Michael Jackson’s iconic sequinned glove for US$420,000 (including the 25 per cent buyer’s premium) from Julien’s Auctions in November 2009, at Hard Rock Cafe in New York. Photo: AP

Per SFGate, Ma bid on the sequinned glove on behalf of Ponte 16 Resort Hotel in Macau and ultimately spent US$420,000 (including taxes and buyer’s premium) on an item that many fans and experts consider the “Holy Grail” of Jackson memorabilia.