A pair of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz,” sold at auction for $32.5 million, making them the most valuable movie memorabilia ever sold. Only four pairs of the slippers from the 1939 film are known to exist, with this pair being stolen and recovered in a sting operation by the FBI in 2018. The shoes helped Heritage Auctions break a record for entertainment auction sales, with the total reaching almost $40 million. The hat worn by the Wicked Witch in the movie also sold for $2.9 million at the same auction. The thief who stole the slippers confessed to the crime in court documents and was sentenced to time served due to poor health. The Judy Garland Museum was one of the bidders in the auction, but they missed out on acquiring the iconic shoes for their collection, despite efforts from the City of Grand Rapids and Minnesota lawmakers to help fund the purchase. Overall, the auction was a significant event in the world of movie memorabilia, showcasing the enduring legacy and value of these iconic pieces of Hollywood history.
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