Simpson Estate Rejects Kim’s Offer, Sells Robert Kardashian’s Gift for Over Five Times Her Bid
The estate of the late OJ Simpson has prevented Kim Kardashian from acquiring a deeply personal family heirloom: a Bible signed by her late father, Robert Kardashian Sr. The Bible, part of an auction featuring items from the former footballer’s private collection, was sold for a staggering $80,276—far exceeding Kardashian’s $15,000 pre-auction offer.
Sentimental Value
The Bible holds significant sentimental value, gifted to Simpson by Robert Kardashian, his close friend and attorney, on June 18, 1994—the day after Simpson’s arrest and charges with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman. The Bible, inscribed with Robert’s handwriting, carried a heartfelt message: “OJ, this book will help. God loves and he will speak to you with his words. Read this book every day. 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.” The item was auctioned off by Goldin Auctions, fetching a final price of $80,276, including the buyer’s premium, after 49 bids.
Kim Kardashian, whose father played a key role as part of Simpson’s defense team during the infamous 1995 murder trial, sought to reclaim the Bible for its familial significance. According to an email obtained by TMZ, Kardashian offered $15,000 to purchase the item privately before the auction. However, Malcolm LaVergne, the executor of Simpson’s estate, rejected her bid. LaVergne told TMZ he would have been “insane” to accept the offer, citing his legal obligation to maximize proceeds from the estate to settle debts, including a $33.5 million civil judgment awarded to the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in 1997. He further noted that accepting Kardashian’s offer would have incurred attorney fees exceeding the amount she proposed, making it an impractical choice.
RadarOnline initially reported that Kardashian attempted to buy the Bible at auction, her offer was made privately, not through the auction itself. The estate’s decision to proceed with the public sale paid off, as the Bible sold for over five times her offer, with the winning bid placed on March 29, 2025.
Simpson’s Estate Liquidating Assets
Simpson, a former NFL star, was acquitted in the criminal trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman but was later found liable in a civil lawsuit, leaving a lasting legal and cultural legacy. Following his death from prostate cancer in April 2024 at age 76, his estate has been liquidating assets to address outstanding financial obligations, including the Goldman family’s ongoing claim, now estimated at $117 million with interest.
Robert Kardashian, who passed away from esophageal cancer in September 2003 at age 59, left behind a complicated legacy tied to the Simpson trial. His ex-wife, Kris Jenner, and their children—Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob—rose to global fame with the launch of Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007, cementing their status as reality TV royalty. For Kim, now 44, the Bible represented a tangible connection to her father, whose involvement in the defense divided their family, given Kris Jenner’s close friendship with Nicole Brown Simpson.
LaVergne, tasked with managing Simpson’s estate, emphasized the financial realities driving the sale. “Why would I spend $15,000 in attorney’s fees—to sell it to Kim for $15,000?” he told People. He added that even an offer of $150,000 would have required court approval, underscoring the legal constraints he faced. The auction, which included other Simpson memorabilia like a replica Heisman Trophy, ultimately raised over $300,000, according to posts on X.
The sale marks another chapter in the intertwined histories of the Simpson and Kardashian families, a saga that continues to captivate the public decades later.
