Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' dress goes on display in San Francisco today - SFGate

8/3/2017

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Marilyn Monroe walks with friends on the evening that she sang Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy on his 45th birthday. She wears a form-fitting gown designed by Jean Louis, head designer for Columbia Pictures at the time. The see-through flesh-hued gown, sans undergarments, is embroidered with rhinestones. But she did accessorize with with earrings, a fur wrap and heels. less

In this May 19, 1962 photo provided by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, actress Marilyn Monroe wears the iconic gown that she wore while singing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, during a reception in New York City. Standing next to Monroe is Steve Smith, President Kennedy's brother-in-law. J less

Photo: Cecil Stoughton, Associated Press

In this May 19, 1962 publicity photo provided by Running Press, Peter Lawford, right, tends to Marilyn Monroe's fur as she prepares to sing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy at a Madison Square Garden gala in New York. less

Actress Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday at the Democratic rally for President John F. Kennedy's birthday.

Photo: The LIFE Picture Collection/Gett

The dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President" to US President John F. Kennedy in May 1962, is displayed in a glass enclosure at Julien's Auction House in Los Angeles, California on November 17, 2016, ahead of its auction. less

Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP/Getty Images

This undated photo provided by Julien's Auctions shows the flesh-colored dress Marilyn Monroe wore during her rendition of "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy.

Photo: Associated Press

This undated photo provided by Julien’s Auctions shows the back view of the flesh-colored dress Marilyn Monroe wore during her rendition of “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. Julien’Äôs Auctions is offering the sequined stunner in Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2016. less

Photo: Julien’s Auctions Via AP

Man views the "Happy Birthday Mr. President" dress 26 July 1999 at Christies in New York.

Photo: HENNY RAY ABRAMS, AFP/Getty Images

The dress Marilyn Monroe wore while singing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy went on display in San Francisco Thursday morning.

Monroe's iconic gown will remain at the Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Fisherman's Wharf for just 3o days before embarking on a nationwide tour. The company purchased the bejeweled garment for a staggering $4.8 million in November – the highest price fetched for a dress at auction ever (Monroe's white dress from "The Seven Year Itch" held the previous record, after selling for $4.6 million in 2011).

"It is such an iconic piece of history," said Ripley's spokesperson Suzanne Smagala-Potts of the dress, which costume designer Bob Mackie created in 1962 for Kennedy's 40th birthday gala at Madison Square Garden.

ICYMI: Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress sells for $4.8 million

On that now legendary night, Monroe slunk onstage in a fur coat before revealing the form-fitting garment beneath.

"Everyone thought she was naked," Darren Julien, president of the auction house that sold the dress, recalled in an interview with the Telegraph. "Marilyn called it 'skin and beans' – she wanted the shock factor."

Further contributing to the notoriety of the garment, the Kennedy gala was one of Monroe's last public appearances; she died three months later of a drug overdose at age 36.

Monroe has San Francisco ties – she married baseball legend Joe DiMaggio in 1954 at San Francisco City Hall. For this reason, coupled with the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Ripley's museum, the city will welcome the dress first.

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.

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