The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz are arguably among the most famous shoes ever made. These iconic, sequined shoes were not only central to the plot of the beloved musical but have also become the most valuable pieces of film memorabilia in the world.
While many believe only one pair of the slippers exists, multiple pairs were created for the production to accommodate different scenes and stunts. It is believed that at least seven pairs were made, with only four known to have survived today.
One of the most famous pairs is on permanent display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., where they are one of the most beloved and visited artifacts. These shoes, which were donated to the museum in 1979, were worn during Garland’s dance routines and are a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of Hollywood’s golden age.
Another pair, however, has a more dramatic history. Stolen in a daring heist from the Judy Garland Museum in Minnesota in 2005, the slippers vanished for 13 years before being recovered by the FBI in a 2018 sting operation. This pair, which had been on loan from a private collector, made headlines again in December 2024, when they sold at auction for a record-breaking $28 million, becoming the most expensive piece of movie memorabilia ever sold.
The shoes, which were originally silver in L. Frank Baum’s novel, were changed to ruby red by MGM filmmakers to take full advantage of the new Technicolor film process. Costume designer Gilbert Adrian created the shoes from white silk pumps, which were dyed red and covered with thousands of burgundy sequins and red leather bows. The result was a dazzling visual that has captivated generations of film lovers.
