A rhinestone-studded sock once worn by late pop icon Michael Jackson has sold for nearly $9,000 at an auction in France, underscoring the enduring appeal—and market value—of the star’s memorabilia more than a decade after his death.

The off-white, glittery sock was recovered in 1997 by a technician near Jackson’s dressing room after his concert in the southern French city of Nîmes. The item was part of his costume during the "HIStory World Tour," during which the singer famously wore white athletic socks adorned with rhinestones, particularly during performances of his signature hit, Billie Jean.

Now faded and stained, and with yellowing rhinestones, the single sock was described by auctioneer Aurore Illy as a “cult object” for fans of the King of Pop. Initially estimated to fetch between €3,000 and €4,000, it was ultimately sold for €7,688 (approximately $8,822) at the Nîmes auction house.

“It really is an exceptional object—even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans,” Illy told AFP, highlighting the nostalgia and rarity surrounding items linked to Jackson’s performances.

The sale adds to a long list of high-profile memorabilia auctions linked to the music legend. In 2009, a Macau casino famously paid $350,000 for the iconic glove Jackson wore when he first debuted the moonwalk during the 1983 Motown 25 television special. More recently, a fedora he tossed moments before that same moonwalk performance fetched over $80,000 at a Paris auction in 2023.

Michael Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50 from a fatal overdose of the anesthetic propofol, leaving behind a legacy marked by musical brilliance and controversy. Despite long-standing allegations of child molestation—which he and his estate have consistently denied—Jackson continues to command a massive global fan base, and artifacts tied to his career remain in high demand among collectors.

The auctioned sock serves as both a quirky piece of pop history and a testament to the fascination that still surrounds one of music’s most influential—and polarizing—figures.