A Look At Kim Kardashian's Obsession With Auctions

Kim Kardashian is known for taking fashion risks that are sometimes deemed highly controversial. At the 2022 Met Gala, Kim walked the red carpet wearing Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe's 1962 sheer, beaded, Jean Louis' gown famously named the "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress.

Kim only wore the tight-fitting dress for a few minutes as she walked the carpet with her ex, Pete Davidson. She later changed into a replica for the rest of the night. However, the reality TV star and Ripley's Believe It Or Not! which loaned her the dress, came under fire.

For those who aren't aware, The Kardashians star has quite the obsession with wearing and buying items once owned by Hollywood's elite. Although she was loaned Marilyn's dress for a few minutes, Kim has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to own items from the likes of Michael Jackson to Princess Diana.

6 Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" Hat And Velvet Jacket

Alleged Amount Paid For Both Items: Over $120,000

The Kardashians pull out all the stops when it comes to Christmas. From their lavish Christmas parties to decorating their homes, these reality stars rule the holiday. This same extravagant mindset is also set forth when it comes to gift giving. For Christmas in 2019, Kim Kardashian gifted her daughter, North West, music icon Michael Jackson's velvet black jacket that he wore for Elizabeth Taylor's 65th birthday celebration in 1997.

In an Instagram Story (via People) Kim revealed that she won the jacket at an auction. "North is a really big Michael Jackson fan," she shared. Kim also told her followers that she had the jacket "tacked up" so that her daughter could wear it.

Along with the jacket, Kim also won the King of Pop's white fedora, which he wore for the 1988 music video for "Smooth Criminal." Another gift for North, the hat still had makeup stains on it. According to Blast, Kim won both items for over $120,000.

5 Elvis Presley's Rings

Amount Paid For Both Items: $18,750

Kim was on a spending spree during the Christmas holiday in 2019 because not only did she shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars for Michael Jackson memorabilia, she also paid $15,000 for two rings worn by the late Elvis Presley.

According to the Blast, on her Instagram Stories, the SKIMS founder won, at auction, a gold ring with a ruby stone and a gold and diamond ring once worn by the King of Rock and Roll. Kim gifted the items to her brother, Rob Kardashian.

"I'm obsessed with auctions and my brother is the biggest Elvis Presley fan so I got him two of Elvis' rings for Christmas!"

According to Julien's Auction, which is where she purchased the items, the gold and diamond ring was "worn by Elvis Presley for six months after purchasing it at Thunderbird Jewelers in Las Vegas." It sold for $10,000. Whereas the ruby ring was given to Elvis' martial arts teacher. Kim bought it for $8,750.

4 Jacqueline Kennedy's Cartier Watch

Amount Paid For Item: $379,500

No price was too high for Kim when she ended up being the top bidder for Jacqueline Kennedy's Cartier watch. According to The Adventurine, in 2017, Kim was among 11 other people who were in a bidding war for the timepiece, which Jacqueline wore frequently. Kim came out on top and paid a whopping $379,500 for the watch.

In an interview with Vogue, Kim revealed that she wore the watch when she visited the White House to meet with president Donald Trump in 2019. "I bought Jackie Kennedy Onassis' watch at auction. I wore it when I went to the White House. It gave me some power: Let's get in there and let's get this done!"

3 Elizabeth Taylor's Diamond Bangles

Amount Paid For Items: $65,000

In 2011, Kim was one of the winning bidders for the late Elizabeth Taylor's pieces of jewelry that went up for auction. According to Forbes, Kim won three jade and diamond bangles by Lorraine Schwartz which were worn by Elizabeth, who she idolizes. The reality star spent $65,000 on all three pieces, despite all three with a starting bid of $8,000.

"If you have a piece of jade, the energy goes into the piece and you absorb the energy. So I can feel Elizabeth in this piece," Kim had reportedly said.

2 Janet Jackson's "If" Music Video Outfit

Amount Paid For The Items: $25,000

In May 2021, Julien's Auction announced that the outfit Janet Jackson wore for her 1993 "If" music video was sold for $25,000. It was later learned that Kim Kardashian was the auction winner. The outfit featured her iconic black crop top with boning at the chest and matching black flare pants.

According to People, it wasn't until June of this year that Kim decided to wear the outfit to Janet's concert. Over on Instagram, the reality star teased her fans with her look, stating, "Can you guys tell where I'm going tonight? I bet you will never guess..." She later showcased her entire ensemble with "If" playing in the background.

In fact, Janet reposted Kim's concert look and shared, "Thank you so much @kimkardashian. I hope 'If' gives you as much pleasure as it did me."

1 Princess Diana's Attallah Cross

Amount Paid For Item: Around $212,000

In November, Kim stepped out for the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles and turned heads with her massive cross necklace. The necklace was famously loaned several times to the late Princess Diana and was the first time the necklace was seen out in public since Diana's tragic death. Kim was now the owner of the extravagant item which she purchased at Sotheby's auction for over $200,000.

According to CNN, the piece is known as the Attallah Cross and was created by luxury jeweler Garrard in the 1920s. The pendent features "square-cut amethyst stones in the shape of a cross, decorated with circular-cut diamonds in a distinct flowery design." The "people's princess" has worn the necklace on multiple occasions, but most famously when she paired it with a Catherine Walker dress while attending a charity gala in 1987.

Per usual, Kim faced backlash for how she styled the necklace with a very exposed white gown.