Judy Garland’s Ruby Slippers Sell for Record-Breaking $32.5 Million

In a historic moment for Hollywood, Judy Garland’s iconic ruby slippers from the 1939 classic film “The Wizard of Oz” have sold for a staggering $32.5 million, setting a new record for the highest price paid for Hollywood memorabilia.

The sale, which took place at Heritage Auctions over the weekend, exceeded expectations and shattered previous records. The identity of the winning bidder remains anonymous.

The ruby slippers, one of only four known surviving pairs, are a cultural treasure and a symbol of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Their unique red sequins and unparalleled legacy sparked intense bidding, culminating in the record-breaking price.

The slippers’ journey has been remarkable. Stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, they remained missing for over a decade. In 2018, the FBI recovered the prized shoes through an undercover operation, returning them to the public eye.

This sale surpasses the previous record set in 2011 when Marilyn Monroe’s dress from “The Seven Year Itch” sold for $4.6 million. The remaining three pairs of ruby slippers, including the auctioned pair, are now in private collections, with one pair residing in the Smithsonian.