Marilyn Monroe's iconic nude dress has been auctioned for a record breaking price of $4.8 million

Marilyn's performance at the event was one of her last public appearances as she died of a drug overdose just a few months later.

When it went under the hammer at Julien's Auctions in Los Angeles on Thursday (17.11.16), the dress - which is said to be so tight Marilyn had to be sewn into it - was snatched up by museum chain Ripley's Believe It or Not for the eye-watering total of $4.8 million, breaking the record for the most expensive dress sold at auction.

Edward Meyer, vice president of the museum chain, dubbed the dress the "most iconic piece of pop culture that there is".

And the dress is likely to stay at the Hollywood branch of Ripley's Believe It or Not before moving to different branches across the world.

Martin Nolan, ex ecutive director of Julien's Auctions, said of the gown: "This dress, this story, this momentous occasion represents a defining moment in history. This auction will remind the world why Marilyn Monroe remains an icon."

The record for the most expensive dress was previously held by a different dress of Marilyn's, this time being the famous billowing white dress which she wore in 'The Seven Year Itch', which sold for $4.6 million in 2011.