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a guitar used by George Michael In his distinguished “FaithThe music video sold for over $240,000 at an auction on October 29. The sale was criticized by the family of his late personal assistant. Siobhan Bailey. his brother, gerard baileycondemned the auction of the singer’s memorabilia and claimed that his sister would never have agreed to it.
Family of late assistant Siobhan Bailey condemns auction of George Michael memorabilia
Bailey worked as Michael’s personal assistant for more than 20 years before he died unexpectedly in 2014 at the age of 56. BBCHer memorabilia collection passed to her then-husband, whom she was reportedly in the process of divorcing. Twelve years later, she partnered with Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers to sell objects under her name.
The auction, titled Faith and Fame: A Personal George Michael Collection, included more than 30 items. These included photographs, personalized gold and platinum discs, tour notes, and an invitation to Andrew Ridgeley’s 21st birthday party. Of all the items sold, the “Faith” guitar is fetching the highest price.
However, Gerard argued that his sister would have been devastated by the sale of her personal belongings. according to PeopleHe said, “(Siobhan) would be horrified at the prospect of an auction being held in her name and her personal, cherished property being sold to the highest bidder.”
He also called the auction “completely unethical”. Furthermore, he described the sale of her Filofax and Michael’s personal notes as “absolutely shoddy and contrary to her position”.
Gerard further claimed that Bailey was preparing a will before his death. She wanted her belongings to go to her nieces and nephews rather than to her estranged husband. They described the use of her name as “blatantly offensive” and insisted that she would never have consented to the sale.
Gerrard also asked the auctioneers to list the sale under her husband’s name if they decided to proceed. However, the auctioneers did not grant his request before the sale.
Meanwhile, Sworders’ head of art and antiques, Guy Schooling, told The Guitarist that Bailey’s husband was “quite shocked” after her death. Schooling said he kept the memorabilia in his garage before deciding to auction them to keep the items from spoiling.
George Michael died in December 2016, almost three years after Bailey.