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On Nov. 17, The beige rhinestone-encrusted dress Marilyn Monroe wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy sold for $4.8 million.
Cecil Stoughton/AP
It was purchased by the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum chain at Julien's Auctions' "The Collections of Marilyn Monroe" sale in Los Angeles.
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In 1999, the dress sold for $1.27 million at a Christie's auction, where it set the previous record.
Julien's Auctions
Darren Julien, president and CEO of Julien's Auctions, had estimated the dress could sell for more than twice as much as it did in 1999. The upper estimate was set at $3 million.
Julien's Auctions
This beaded cocktail dress was worn by Monroe in "Some Like It Hot" sold for $450,000.
Julien's Auctions
These Salvatore Ferragamo heels were exhibited as part of the "Shoes: Pleasure and Pain" exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum in 2015. They sold for $34,000.
Julien's Auctions
Monroe swooned to Rachmaninoff wearing these gloves in "The Seven Year Itch." The sold for $25,000.
Julien's Auctions
The auction will continue until Nov. 19. Remaining items include this diamond Art Deco watch.
Julien's Auctions
This used tube of Revlon lipstick is expected to sell for up to $5,000.
CNN  — 

The dress Marilyn Monroe wore to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy has sold for $4.8 million, breaking its own record as the most expensive personal item of clothing.

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On Nov. 18, it was purchased by the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum chain at Julien’s Auctions’ “The Collections of Marilyn Monroe” sale in Los Angeles.

“Tonight was one of the most important moments in our history as a company,” Darren Julien, president and CEO of Julien’s Auctions, said in a statement. “We were incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to offer this amazing dress from the most legendary screen star of all time.”

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Created by Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis, the dress sold for $1.27 million at a Christie’s auction in 1999, setting a new record for the most expensive personal item of clothing ever to be sold at auction.

Monroe wore the famous dress at a 45th birthday celebration for Kennedy held at New York’s Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962. It’s said the dress was so tight that she had to be sewn into it before getting on stage to sing “Happy Birthday.”