The Bible that Robert Kardashian gifted to OJ Simpson during his legal troubles has been auctioned off to the highest bidder, despite objections from Kim Kardashian.
Robert Kardashian, a close friend and attorney to former NFL player OJ Simpson, gave him a Bible with a touching inscription while Simpson was dealing with accusations regarding the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson.
In 1994, OJ Simpson faced charges for the alleged murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Though acquitted in the 1995 criminal trial, a civil court in 1997 held him accountable for the deaths.
The day after the charges, Robert Kardashian, who was Kim Kardashian’s father and passed away in 2003, presented OJ Simpson with a Bible.
The inscription inside read: “O.J. This book will help. God loves and he will speak to you with his words. Read this book everyday. God has a definite plan for your life. You are his child and he will use you again. I love you and God loves you.”
Robert Kardashian signed it “Robert,” dating it “June 18, 1994″ in the top corner.
Kim Kardashian attempted to purchase the Bible before it sold for $15,000, but the deal never materialized.
Malcolm LaVergne, executor of Simpson’s estate, explained to PEOPLE: “Why would I spend $15,000 of estate money — why would I spend $15,000 in attorney’s fees — to sell it to Kim for $15,000?”
“That’s a zero-sum game. That’s a bad business model. If Kim had offered $150,000 for it, we would’ve been in court getting this approved outside of the auction.”
The collectible marketplace Goldin announced that the Bible was sold for $80,276, including a buyer’s premium fee, with the auction concluding on March 29.
LaVergne stated that the buyer’s identity was unknown and not disclosed.
Although Simpson was cleared of the criminal charges, he later served nine years for his involvement in a failed armed robbery, gaining parole in 2017.
Robert Kardashian succumbed to esophageal cancer at 59 in 2003. OJ Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76, after battling prostate cancer.