Dorothy's Iconic Ruby Slippers Auctioned for a Staggering $28 Million – What You Didn't Know!

In a stunning turn of events, a pair of ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland in the beloved 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz" has been sold for an eye-watering $28 million at a recent auction in the United States. This remarkable auction, held by Heritage Auctions, saw an online bidding frenzy that began a month prior, with estimates originally predicting the shoes would fetch around $3 million. The final selling price has now officially positioned the slippers as the most valuable movie memorabilia ever auctioned.

These sequined pumps are one of only four surviving pairs from the film, a treasure that has become a pop culture icon recognized worldwide. The shoes’ enormous price tag reflects not only their vintage glamour but also the unique history that comes with them. After being stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005, these slippers were at the center of a dramatic tale involving theft, deception, and their eventual recovery in 2018 through an FBI sting operation.

The audacious theft was committed by professional criminal Terry Jon Martin, who smashed the glass display case in hopes of finding genuine rubies encased in the shoes, mistaking their insured value of $1 million as an indication of true gemstone quality. In a twist of fate, once he realized the slippers were merely covered in glass, he passed them on to an accomplice, a decision that left the shoes missing for over a decade. When asked about the strange series of events, John Kelsch, of the Judy Garland Museum, expressed his ongoing curiosity about the slippers’ journey during those lost years.

Notably, these iconic shoes not only signify the film's rich legacy but also intertwine with the recent resurgence of interest in the musical genre, amplified by the new prequel film "Wicked." Originally created to utilize the advancing Technicolor film technology, the ruby slippers have captured the imagination of audiences around the world for decades. In "The Wizard of Oz," a pivotal moment arises when Dorothy, played by the then-16-year-old Garland, clicks her heels together three times to recite the famous words, “There’s no place like home,” marking the end of her enchanting adventure in Oz.

Ownership of one of the other surviving pairs of slippers rests with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, demonstrating the cultural significance these shoes hold. As fans flock to new experiences inspired by “The Wizard of Oz,” the auctioning of this particular pair serves as a reminder of the enduring power of cinema and its memorabilia. This moment not only celebrates the artistry of a celebrated film but also continues to ignite the imaginations of new generations eager to embark on their journeys down the yellow brick road.