Kim Kardashian buys Princess Diana’s famous cross necklace

Billionaires

Kim Kardashian purchased Princess Diana’s Attallah Cross necklace for nearly US$200,000, auction house Sotheby’s announced Wednesday, adding to a growing collection of historic pieces owned by the star.

Kim Kardashian Purchases Princess Diana’s Famous Cross Pendant.
Kim Kardashian purchased Princess Diana’s Attallah Cross necklace for nearly US$200,000. Images: Getty

Key Facts

The piece of jewellery, made of amethysts and diamonds, was last worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1987.

A representative for Kardashian beat out three other bidders, for “more than double its pre-auction estimate,” Sotheby’s said.

The necklace was created in 1920 and weighs over 5 karats.

Crucial Quote

“We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life within the hands of another globally famous name,” said Kristian Spofforth, the head of jewelry at Sotheby’s London.

Forbes Valuation

US$1.8 billion. That’s how much Kardashian is estimated to be worth, according to Forbes.

Key Background

Kardashian reportedly purchased Jackie Kenndy Onassis’ watch in 2017 for over US$379,000. She wore the watch when she met with former President Donald Trump at the White House in 2018, telling Vogue it “gave me some power.”

In May, Kardashian wore a dress to the Met Gala which was designed for Marilyn Monroe and worn in 1962 when the movie star sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy.

She borrowed the dress from Ripley’s, and only wore it on the red carpet—she changed into an exact replica for the party.

That didn’t stop critics from claiming she damaged the garment, though Ripley’s and Kardashian denied this.

Later that night, she changed into another borrowed dress worn by Monroe, this time a Norman Norell dress also from 1962. Kardashian was gifted a lock of Monroe’s hair by Ripley’s—though there are doubts about its authenticity.

Tangent

In 2016, Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in Paris.

The thieves took her 20-carat Lorraine Schwartz engagement ring which was given to her from her former husband Kanye West.

After the incident, Kardashian said she no longer wears or keeps expensive jewellery around.

“If I’m wearing something, it’s borrowed. It’s fake,” she said in 2021. “No expensive items ever come to my home. I have it all taken from security before I even enter my home. I can’t sleep if I have jewellery in my safe, or money, or anything at my house.”

A suspect in Kim Kardashian West’s Paris robbery is arrested in Paris in 2017. Image: Getty

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This article was first published on forbes.com

Avatar of Marisa Dellatto
Forbes Staff
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