Marilyn Monroe's Underwear Sold for $44,800 at Auction

Julien's Auctions

Her Fancy Pants Were Worn in the 1954 Movie River of No Return

$44,800 for used underwear? No. No?  Even if the undies belonged to Marilyn Monroe?

That's precisely what one collector paid for Monroe's pantaloons at a recent Beverly Hills auction. Auctioneer Darren Julien says long, fancy underwear was worn by Monroe in the 1954 flick River of No Return, and the thought of owning a piece of classic Hollywood memorabilia was worth the hefty price tag to one bidder.

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Julien, whose Hollywood auctions have included items from the estates of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, says the bloomers came from the estate of Monroe's longtime personal makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder.

Another bidder paid $32,500 for Monroe's junior high school diploma, and the complete lineup of Monroe items -- which included photos, personal letters and other clothing -- in Julien's recent Hollywood Legends auction brought in a total of $400,000.

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More results from the Hollywood Legends auction:

-- A Superman suit worn by Christopher Reeve in Superman IV fetched $35,200;

-- A rocking chair owned by John F. Kennedy brought in a winning bid of $86,100;

-- A Catherine Walker dress worn by Princess Diana in 1992 fetched $108,000;

-- A jacket worn by Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind fetched $57,600;

-- A Dior gown worn by Grace Kelly brought in a winning bid of $72,000;

-- And a hat and can used by Charlie Chaplin brought in $99,200.