On May 19, 1962, Marilyn Monroe captivated the world when she stepped on stage at Madison Square Garden to serenade President John F. Kennedy with an iconic version of “Happy Birthday.”
But it wasn’t just her voice that left an impression. The dress she wore that night cemented its place in fashion and pop culture history.
Today, the “Happy Birthday” dress holds the title of the most expensive dress ever sold at auction, and it now lives at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
A Dazzling Collaboration
The glittering nude gown was designed by Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis, with the original sketch created by Bob Mackie, a then-recent college graduate who would go on to become a legendary fashion icon himself.
The “Happy Birthday” dress is adorned with over 6,000 hand-sewn rhinestones, giving Monroe the appearance of being “sewn into” liquid starlight.
Record-Breaking Auction History
In 1999, the “Happy Birthday” dress was purchased by collector Martin Zweig for $1.3 million. But on November 18, 2016, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, made history by placing the winning bid of $4.8 million, officially making it the world’s most expensive dress ever sold at auction.
But that's not all; in fact, since 2016, the “Happy Birthday” dress has only grown in the public eye. When the iconic piece of fashion history made an appearance at the 2022 Met Gala, its visibility—and value—skyrocketed!
Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions, told CNN Style that the dress could now fetch upwards of $10 million!
Honoring and Preserving History
Ripley’s regards the “Happy Birthday” dress as the single most iconic piece of clothing of the last century. Tied to both a U.S. president and a Hollywood legend, the gown encapsulates a moment where fame, politics, and spectacle collided.
Looking for more dress-related content? Check out Angelica Hicks , a visionary artist and fashion influencer, and her take on recreating the iconic “Happy Birthday” dress!