The hoodie that Mark Zuckerberg 'wore all the time' and Steve Jobs' signature bowties sold at auction, here are the prices they fetched

In a remarkable auction event in Los Angeles, items once belonging to two of the most influential figures in the tech industry—Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs—fetched astonishing prices. A black hoodie frequently worn by Facebook co-founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was sold for $15,875 (approximately Rs 14 lakh), while a signature bow tie worn by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs fetched a staggering $35,750 (about Rs 31 crore). These items, initially estimated to sell for just $1,000 (around Rs 87,000), saw their prices skyrocket due to intense bidding wars. The auction highlights the deep fascination with tech icons and the immense value placed on memorabilia associated with their legacies.

A black hoodie, worn on several occasions by Mark Zuckerberg in 2010, was one of the standout items at the auction. The garment, from the brand Alternative, holds historical significance as it was frequently worn during the early years of Facebook, including the period when Zuckerberg was named Time Magazine’s "Person of the Year."
The hoodie, custom-made for Zuckerberg, features Facebook’s 2010 mission statement printed on the interior lining. According to the auction house, it was expected to be sold for around Rs 87,000 ($1,000), but intense competition among bidders drove the final price to an astonishing Rs 14 lakh ($15,875).

The lucky buyer of the hoodie also received a handwritten note from Mark Zuckerberg, adding to the item's sentimental value. The note read:
"One of my favorite old-school Facebook hoodies. I wore this all the time in the early days. It even has our original mission statement on the inside lining. Enjoy! — Mark Zuckerberg."
This message reinforces the significance of the hoodie in Facebook’s early history and its association with the company’s formative years.

While Zuckerberg’s hoodie attracted attention, the biggest surprise of the auction was a bow tie worn by Steve Jobs, which was sold for an incredible $35,750 (approximately Rs 31 crore). The green Wilkes Bashford bow tie, featuring pink stripes, was a rare piece of memorabilia linked to the Apple co-founder.

The bow tie holds historical importance as it was worn by Jobs on at least three notable occasions:

Given Jobs's well-known preference for black turtlenecks in later years, the bow tie represents a lesser-known aspect of his early career, making it a highly desirable item for collectors.

Apart from the bow tie, another rare item associated with Steve Jobs also attracted significant attention. A handwritten letter by Jobs, penned on his 19th birthday (February 23, 1974), was auctioned for a staggering $500,312.50 (Rs 4.32 crore).
Steve Jobs’s letter reflecting on spirituality and India
The letter, addressed to Jobs’s childhood friend Tim Brown, offers insight into his deep philosophical reflections. Written two years before he co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak, the letter highlights Jobs’s early fascination with spirituality and his plans to visit India.
Jobs mentions in the letter:
"I wish to go to India for the Kumbh Mela, which starts in April. I will be leaving sometime in March, not really certain yet."
The letter also reflects his growing interest in Zen Buddhism and a spiritual outlook that would later influence his leadership style at Apple. Jobs concluded the letter with a Hindu blessing:
"Shanti, Steve Jobs."