Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers Sell for Record $32.5 Million

The iconic shoes from 'The Wizard of Oz,' stolen in 2005 and recovered in 2018, become the most valuable movie memorabilia ever auctioned.

The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz' fetched $28 million at auction, with total costs including fees reaching $32.5 million.
This sale surpasses the previous record for movie memorabilia, held by Marilyn Monroe's dress from 'The Seven Year Itch,' which sold for $5.52 million in 2011.
The shoes were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Minnesota in 2005 and recovered by the FBI in 2018 through a sting operation.
The thief, Terry Jon Martin, pleaded guilty in 2023, citing a belief that the shoes contained real rubies, and was sentenced to time served due to poor health.
The auction also featured other 'Wizard of Oz' items, including the Wicked Witch's hat, which sold for $2.93 million, as interest in the story grows with the success of the 'Wicked' film adaptation.