• Janet Jackson arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City. Getty Images
    Janet Jackson arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2008 in New York City. Getty Images
  • A pair of earrings which were a gift from Oprah Winfrey to Janet Jackson is on display during an auction preview at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California on February 10, 2021. Reuters
    A pair of earrings which were a gift from Oprah Winfrey to Janet Jackson is on display during an auction preview at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California on February 10, 2021. Reuters
  • Janet Jackson performing on stage at Wembley Arena, London, on April 20, 1995. Redferns
    Janet Jackson performing on stage at Wembley Arena, London, on April 20, 1995. Redferns
  • Janet Jackson arrives at the at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Mortons Restaurant in West Hollywood on March 21, 1999. Getty Images
    Janet Jackson arrives at the at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Mortons Restaurant in West Hollywood on March 21, 1999. Getty Images
  • Janet Jackson poses after winning the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award for 'Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?' at the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, California on February 14, 2008. Wireimage
    Janet Jackson poses after winning the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award for 'Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?' at the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, California on February 14, 2008. Wireimage
  • Janet Jackson arrives at the at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on February 27, 2005. Wireimage
    Janet Jackson arrives at the at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on February 27, 2005. Wireimage
  • A glove belonging to Janet Jackson is on display during an auction preview at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California on February 10, 2021. Reuters
    A glove belonging to Janet Jackson is on display during an auction preview at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California on February 10, 2021. Reuters
  • Clothing belonging to Janet Jackson is on display during an auction preview at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California on February 10, 2021. Reuters
    Clothing belonging to Janet Jackson is on display during an auction preview at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California on February 10, 2021. Reuters
  • Janet Jackson attends Uomo Vogue 40th Anniversary Celebration Party as part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Spring / Summer 2009 in Milan, Italy on June 22, 2008. Wireimage
    Janet Jackson attends Uomo Vogue 40th Anniversary Celebration Party as part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Spring / Summer 2009 in Milan, Italy on June 22, 2008. Wireimage

Janet Jackson to sell personal treasures including her wedding dress in 'cathartic' auction


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

Janet Jackson is set to host a "cathartic" auction of more than 1,000 personal items that span her four-decade career.

The star has partnered with celebrity auctioneer Julien’s for the three-day sale, which will take place in Beverly Hills from May 14.

The auction coincides with her birthday on May 16, when the Nasty singer turns 55.

Click though the gallery above to see some of the items up for auction. 

“Janet has never done anything like this before. We’ve approached her so many times, and it has always been very hard to find anything at auction from her because she kept and archived everything,” said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien’s Auctions.

The auction is titled Iconic Treasures From The Legendary Career And Life of Janet Jackson. Ahead of the sale, pieces are going on show for fans to see. They will be displayed at the Hard Rock Cafe in London from Tuesday, April 19 for five days. The collection will then be moved to New York and onwards to Los Angeles.

A pair of earrings which were a gift from Oprah Winfrey to Janet Jackson on display during an auction preview at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. Reuters
A pair of earrings which were a gift from Oprah Winfrey to Janet Jackson on display during an auction preview at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. Reuters

A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the charity Compassion International, an organisation that works with churches around the world to relieve child poverty.

Nolan told The Observer: "Jackson has had this stuff in storage for years, and in her homes in Los Angeles, New York and London. She's been incredibly hands-on with sending personal notes on each piece, remembering what she wore and when, which we've included in the catalogue. She now feels it's time to let go."

The auction includes a number of big-ticket, and very recognisable, items. They include the Helen Storey-designed floor-length metallic silver coat worn by Jackson in the 1995 Scream music video with her brother Michael Jackson. At the time, it was valued at $7 million. Also in the auction is a Richard Tyler black coat with velvet lapels, worn by Jackson on her 1990 Rhythm Nation World Tour; and the 17th century-style ensemble worn while performing If on her 1993-1995 Janet World Tour. 

Included in the collection of personal items is Jackson’s wedding dress, which she wore for her secret marriage to dancer Rene Elizondo Jr in 1991. Dresses that she has worn to the Met Gala, NAACP Image Awards and Oscars also feature.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

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Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

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