Monroe dress for Kennedy birthday song sold for $4.8 million

The iconic dress Marilyn Monroe wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to JFK sold for $4.8 million

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Officials say a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe as she famously sang "Happy Birthday" to President John. F. Kennedy has sold for nearly $5 million at a Los Angeles auction.

The dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang "Happy Birthday" to President John F. KennedyAP

Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress on display at Christie's in New YorkAP

Marilyn Monroe sings "Happy Birthday" to President Kennedy at his 45th birthday celebration at New York's Madison Square GardenAP

Peter Siegel with the dres worn by Marilyn Monroe at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962AP

Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' dress on display at Christie's in New YorkAP

Marilyn Monroe wears the iconic gown that she wore while singing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. KennedyAP

Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress on display at Christie's in New York.AP

Julien's Auctions says that the iconic, form-fitting gown was sold for $4.8 million Thursday night to Ripley's Believe It or Not.
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The company says in a news release that the actress wore the Hollywood designer Jean Louis creation - flesh-colored and sparkling with over 2,500 handstitched crystals - on May 19, 1962, for an early 45th birthday celebration for Kennedy at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Monroe's breathy rendition of the birthday song has been broadcast repeatedly since, adding to the lore surrounding the screen icon.

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It was just a few months later on Aug. 5, that the 36-year-old Monroe was found dead from what the Los Angeles district attorney's office ruled was an overdose of barbiturates.