Kim Kardashian's $4.8 million Met Gala dress drama: How Marilyn Monroe's iconic gown was damaged forever
The $4.8 Million Dress: A Piece of History
Damage to the Iconic Gown: The Aftermath
The Dress Remains at Ripley's Museum
The 2025 Met Gala brought together the world's biggest stars at the Metropolitan Museum in New York on Monday evening. Celebrities from Hollywood and beyond strutted down the blue carpet, flaunting stunning designer outfits that fit the event's extravagant theme. But, as grand as these looks were, none could quite outshine the jaw-dropping outfit worn by a reality TV star three years ago.In 2022, the Met Gala's theme was "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," which invited celebrities to wear outfits that embodied a piece of American history. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian had a brilliant idea. She made a grand entrance in the iconic sequinned dress once worn by Marilyn Monroe, which was famously donned by the actress at President John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration in 1962. Marilyn's sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday" to the President in that dress not only sparked a scandal but also became one of pop culture's most defining moments.The original gown, crafted from sheer, skin-toned marquisette fabric and adorned with over 2,500 hand-sewn rhinestones, was designed by Jean Louis and sketched by Bob Mackie. In 2016, Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison acquired it at auction for an eye-popping $4.8 million. The dress was then kept in the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum. For the 2022 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian received special permission from Ripley's to wear the iconic piece, and she certainly turned heads while doing so.The original gown was designed specifically for Marilyn Monroe, and it's said she was 'sewn into' it, highlighting the flawless fit. The dress was intended to be worn just once. However, with Kim Kardashian's body type and measurements differing greatly from Marilyn's, the gown naturally stretched when worn for a second time. In 2024, a photo shared by a Marilyn Monroe fan club exposed the full extent of the damage, showing holes, stretched fabric, and tears throughout the gown.Many insiders claimed the damage to the dress was permanent, a statement Kim Kardashian strongly denied. Ripley's also responded, stating, "Great care was taken to preserve this piece of pop culture history. With input from garment conservationists, appraisers, and archivists, the garment's condition was a top priority." Despite these claims, the damage was visible, and the dress remains on display at Ripley's museum.
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