Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers Auctioned for $28 Million

A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz' sold for a record-breaking $32.5 million at a Heritage Auctions event in Dallas, far exceeding their estimated value of $3 million. The slippers were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005 and remained missing for over a decade until the FBI recovered them in 2018. Terry Jon Martin, the thief, was recently sentenced to time served after pleading guilty, claiming he was misled into believing the shoes contained real jewels. The auction garnered significant interest, attracting over 800 bidders and nearly 43,000 web page views. This sale not only marks the highest price for entertainment memorabilia but also underscores the enduring cultural significance of the 1939 classic film. Three other pairs of the iconic slippers are known to exist, with one pair housed at the Smithsonian.