Judge halts auction of Madonna's Tupac love letter and previously worn underwear

An auction of Madonna's personal items, including a love letter from her ex-boyfriend Tupac Shakur and a pair of previously worn knickers, has been halted by a judge.

Judge halts auction of Madonna's Tupac love letter and previously worn underwear

An auction of Madonna's personal items, including a love letter from her ex-boyfriend Tupac Shakur and a pair of previously worn knickers, has been halted by a judge.

Manhattan state Supreme Court Judge Gerald Leibovitz ordered Gotta Have It! Collectibles to pull 22 items from its rock-and-roll-themed auction scheduled for Wednesday, including a hairbrush containing her hair.

The Material Girl had earlier sought an emergency court order saying she was "shocked to learn" of the planned online auction of the Tupac letter and had no idea it was no longer in her possession.

"The fact that I have attained celebrity status as a result of success in my career does not obviate my right to maintain my privacy, including with regard to highly personal items," Madonna said in court papers.

"I understand that my DNA could be extracted from a piece of my hair. It is outrageous and grossly offensive that my DNA could be auctioned for sale to the general public."

Court papers said the Tupac letter was expected to fetch up to $400,000.

Tupac, one of the best-selling rappers of all time, dated Madonna in the early 1990s and died of injuries suffered in a Las Vegas drive-by shooting in 1996.

Madonna, behind such hit songs as Like A Virgin and Vogue, has sold hundreds of millions of albums.

Other Madonna items scheduled to be auctioned were private photographs taken at a bachelorette party at her Miami home, personal letters and cassette tapes of unreleased recordings.

Madonna's court papers name Darlene Lutz, a former friend, art consultant and "frequent overnight guest" in Madonna's home when she was "not in residence," as behind the sale of the property.

A spokesman for Ms Lutz and the auction house said the allegations will be "vigorously challenged and refuted" in court.

"Madonna and her legal army have taken what we believe to be completely baseless and meritless action to temporarily halt the sale of Ms Lutz's legal property," spokesman Pete Siegel told the New York Post.

"We are confident that the Madonna memorabilia will be back."

AP

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

British Academy Film Awards 2024 Christopher Nolan and wife Emma Thomas to receive knighthood and damehood
Alessandro Michele Former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele named Valentino creative director
The 88th Academy Awards - Vanity Fair Party - Los Angeles Whoopi Goldberg: Script for Sister Act 3 is in the works
Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited