18 Odd and Expensive Celebrity Auction Purchases

You may not realize it, but auctions give us a rare chance to see what captures the attention of the world’s most famous figures. For celebrities, the items they bid on often reflect a fascination with history, pop culture, or objects that carry unusual stories. Given that they aren't counting every penny, the prices for these pieces may be staggering, but the choices reveal even more about these celebrated names.

In this collection, 247 Tempo brings you some of the strangest and most extravagant items ever purchased by celebrities under the auction gavel. Each story mentions the year of the purchase, how much was spent, and the context that made the item significant. The result? This is a behind-the-scenes look at the eccentric side of celebrity purchases.

Sources consulted for this slideshow include Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Julien’s Auctions, The Guardian, CNN, BBC News, and Rolling Stone, among many others that report on high-profile celebrity auctions. Get your bids ready!

• Year: 2012
• Cost: $240,000

Gaga purchased multiple items from Michael Jackson's estate, including the red and black leather jacket worn in the Thriller video. She has long credited Jackson as a key influence on her own work. The jacket remains one of the most iconic pieces of music memorabilia ever sold.

• Year: 2007
• Cost: $276,000

Cage ended up outbidding Leonardo DiCaprio for a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus skull. Later, it was discovered that the fossil had been stolen from Mongolia, so Cage returned it without question. The bizarre purchase is now infamous in auction lore.

• Year: 2006
• Cost: $96,000

Elton John purchased Hepburn’s personal copy of this iconic script at Christie’s Auction House. The script actually included her handwritten notes, making it a piece of Hollywood history. His purchase showed his passion for both film and memorabilia, something not many realize about him.

• Year: 2018
• Cost: $65,000

While not a purchase, Crowe auctioned many of his own items in his aptly titled 'Divorce Auction,' including a replica Roman chariot used in his famous film, Gladiator. While only worth an estimated $10,000, it was sold for much more.

• Year: 1997
• Cost: $150,000

Cage, a lifelong comic book fan, bought Superman’s debut issue. The comic was later stolen and recovered years afterward in a storage locker, much to Cage's relief. Today, it’s considered one of the most valuable comics in existence.

• Year: 2011
• Cost: $65,000

Kim purchased three jade Lorraine Schwartz bracelets once owned by Elizabeth Taylor at a Christie’s auction. She has often called Taylor her idol, which is why the purchase symbolized her admiration and connection to classic Hollywood.

• Year: 2007
• Cost: $75,000

After losing out on the Tyrannosaurus skull to Nicolas Cage, DiCaprio purchased a Mongolian dinosaur fossil at auction. However, he eventually returned it after questions of legality, just like Cage was forced to do with his dinosaur fossil, too.

• Year: 2012
• Cost: $133,000

Gaga acquired a number of McQueen’s pieces at auction after the designer’s death, honoring his artistic legacy. However, one dress, purchased for a record-breaking $133,000, stood out above all the rest. She has often worn McQueen onstage and at public events, making the purchases deeply personal, as they were friends during his life.

• Year: 2006
• Cost: $10 million

Cage actually purchased multiple castles, including a Bavarian castle, through an auction-style sale. He intended to restore it, but later sold it due to financial troubles and it needing too much work. Regardless, the extravagant property showed his flair for dramatic purchases.

• Year: 1999
• Cost: $662,500

Mariah Carey purchased Monroe’s baby grand piano at a Christie’s estate auction, after it was previously owned by Cher. She admired Monroe deeply and wanted to preserve part of her history forever.

• Year: 2007
• Cost: $1 million

One of Banksy’s famous works was actually purchased by Brad Pitt at a Sotheby’s auction. His interest in contemporary art is well known, with this purchase marking him as a serious collector of high-value pieces.

• Year: 2001
• Cost: $95,000

Nicholson bought part of Kerouac’s 'On the Road' manuscript at an early 2000s auction. The Beat writer was a cultural hero of his, which is why the purchase showed off the actor's ties to countercultural movements.

• Year: 2012
• Cost: $190,000

Alongside the Thriller jacket and many others, Gaga acquired Jackson’s famous Swarovski crystal glove at Julien’s. It became one of the most recognizable items in her extensive memorabilia collection, something she said she intended to keep safe for fans.

• Year: 2015
• Cost: $22,000

Stallone bought back his own 'Rocky' boxing gloves at auction. He wanted to preserve them after they had been resold multiple times, and the purchase ensured the gloves would remain in his family archive.

• Year: 1990s
• Cost: $15,000

Depp bought Kerouac’s old trench coat and a few other pieces at auction, having long admired the Beat Generation and once portraying a main character in Hunter S. Thompson's classic film, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

• Year: 1985
• Cost: $47-$50 million

Jackson bought the ATV catalog, which actually included the Beatles’ publishing rights. The purchase sparked years of debate and ultimately led to significant strain in Jackson's relationship with Paul McCartney.

• Year: 2000
• Cost: $66,000

Like his purchase of the Breakfast at Tiffany's script, Elton John also bought a jeweled replica of Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. The proceeds went to charity, as John has often used his collecting to support fundraising events.

• Year: 2004
• Cost: $1 million

One of Clapton’s guitars was available at a Christie’s auction, which Mick Jagger ultimately won. The guitar was previously used for several of Clapton’s tours, and it joined Jagger’s own storied collection of rock artifacts.