“Marilyn’s legendary dress was untouched for decades—until Kim Kardashian wore it” 👗🔥 From its shocking debut in 1962 to a controversial Met Gala moment in 2022, this iconic gown’s journey has stunned fans—and sparked a fierce debate. Curious what really happened to it? Full story and rare photos in the article below 👇
Back in 1962, a sparkling dress captured the attention of an entire country. Most people know who wore it, but fewer know who made it, or what became of it decades later.
In May of that year, a familiar song took on a whole new meaning when Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday” in a sultry voice during a special event celebrating President John F. Kennedy. That moment has become one of the most iconic performances in American pop culture.
But part of what made the night unforgettable was the dress Marilyn wore — a gown that turned heads and quickly became one of the most talked-about outfits in fashion history. And years later, the same dress would make headlines again when it appeared at the 2022 Met Gala — on someone else.
The famous moment happened on May 19, 1962, during a political fundraiser at Madison Square Garden. Although it wasn’t Kennedy’s actual birthday, the event was held in his honor. Monroe stepped onto the stage, removed her white fur coat, and revealed a jaw-dropping gown that left the audience stunned. It was so sheer and form-fitting that many thought she might be wearing nothing at all.
The gown was made from a delicate, almost see-through fabric and was covered with more than 2,500 rhinestones. It was tailored so tightly to Monroe’s body that she had her undergarments sewn into it. The daring look was carefully crafted to be both shocking and glamorous.
Interestingly, the dress was the first design ever sketched by Bob Mackie, who was fresh out of college at the time. He worked under Jean Louis, a well-known designer who brought Mackie’s sketch to life. Reflecting on the design, Mackie said it gave the illusion of nudity without revealing too much — a mix of magic and elegance.
Marilyn reportedly paid $1,440 for the custom piece. But after that unforgettable night, its value skyrocketed. In 1999, it sold at auction for $1.26 million. Later, in 2016, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! purchased it for a staggering $4.8 million. Today, it’s still displayed at their Hollywood museum as one of the most valuable pieces of pop culture memorabilia ever.
It seemed impossible to imagine anyone else wearing that gown — until Kim Kardashian made her entrance at the 2022 Met Gala. With the event theme “Gilded Glamour,” Kim arrived in Monroe’s original dress, wearing it for just a few minutes before changing into a replica. Still, those few moments created a media storm and became one of the most talked-about appearances of the night.
However, controversy followed. Scott Fortner, the curator of the Marilyn Monroe Collection, shared images online comparing the dress before and after the Met Gala — showing visible damage. According to him, great care had always been taken to preserve the gown, with strict handling rules advised by experts in garment preservation.
Ripley’s also defended its efforts to protect the dress. They explained that Kardashian never had the gown in her possession without supervision and that two fitting sessions were held to ensure it was handled with extreme care. Even so, many questioned whether the risk was worth it, given the dress’s age and historical significance.
Now, fans and historians are left wondering: was it right to let someone else wear such a legendary piece of fashion history — or should it have remained untouched forever? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
