Marilyn Monroe’s Most Intimate Outfit Auctioned For $4.8 Million

One of the most intimate items in the life of Marilyn Monroe went on the auction block — as Julien’s Auctions offered up the skintight dress that she wore while serenading John F. Kennedy with "Happy Birthday!" The outfit ended up selling for an astronomical $4.8 million — and there was a good reason the dress came with a mannequin that matches Marilyn's exact measurements!

The custom creation by designer Jean Louis creation was fitted very tight to show off Marilyn's legendary curves. In fact, Marilyn was literally sewn into the dress and couldn't wear anything underneath it! The crowd went wild when Marilyn unveiled herself at Madison Square Garden for a Democratic fundraiser on May 19, 1962, just ten days before JFK celebrated his 45th birthday — and mere weeks before Marilyn's suspicious suicide!

The dress is part of three days of Marilyn-related auctions by Julien's — including property from the estate of Marilyn's acting coach Lee Strasberg and longtime fan Frieda Hull. As noted by the auction house's own description: "The dress, the performance, Jacqueline Kennedy’s absence and photographs from the evening would spark ravenous rumors of an affair between the President and Marilyn."

But ,as described by the auction house, Marilyn's "intimate tone and projection of the words 'Mr. President' would stun the audience, excite the press and become a milestone in popular culture."