Michael Jackson’s Dermatologist Is Bankrupt

Michael Jackson’s Dermatologist Is Bankrupt

Dr. Arnold Klein (pictured), the once-upon-a-time “it” dermatologist of the rich and famous, is now facing bankruptcy and is under investigation by the California State Medical Board.

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The good doctor had patients, such as Michael Jackson and Liz Taylor, that were the absolute envy of many in his profession. But how times have changed. Due to his legal and financial troubles, Dr. Klein has reportedly resorted to auctioning off memorabilia from those very same patients who helped put him on the map.

Bonhams & Butterfields, one of the most prestigious auction houses in the world, is offering hundreds of items from Dr. Klein’s collection, including a “Princess Leia” wig that Carrie Fisher wore to a party (worth $200), the hat that covered Michael Jackson’s head when he left a hospital burn unit (worth $10,000), and an invitation to Elizabeth Taylor’s eighth wedding (worth $350).

Before his mishaps, Dr. Klein, 66, lived like his A-list clientele. The doctor’s office was a place of pomp and circumstance with such pricey touches as $1 million art from Andy Warhol. Dr. Klein lived lavishly in three multimillion-dollar homes that were more like palaces, with each painstakingly decorated with the finest furnishings and artwork valued at $7.2 million. He hobknobbed with the best of them, took lavishly decadent vacations, got chauffered around in his fleet of creme-de-la-creme vehicles, and had his meals prepared by personal top chefs. At his peak, Dr. Klein made as much as $25,000 per day, which came mostly from cosmetic procedures, such as botox and lip augmentations.

But by the time Jackson passed away in 2009, Dr. Klein’s practice had already begun to dissolve due to allegations that he had made the pop king dependent on the drug demerol. Dr. Klein also went public with Jackson’s medical information and sex life, which should have been kept confidential. As a result of all of the hoopla surrounding Dr. Klein’s unprofessional public displays, his clientele began to fall by the wayside and he soon found himself being hounded by creditors. The Los Angeles Times even recently reported that actress Carrie Fisher, one of his few remaining true blues, had to loan Dr. Klein $150,000 so that he could hire a bankruptcy attorney.

Now, all of Dr. Klein’s homes are being sold off, and according to his bankruptcy filing, he owes $12 million in debts. The Bonhams & Butterfields auction of the “Collection of Dr. Arnold Klein” will take place on January 23 in Los Angeles.

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Michael Jackson's Ex Dermatologist, Arnie Klein, Selling Memorabilia to Pay Bills

Bankrupt Dr. Arnold Klein Auctioning Off Michael Jackson Hat

You, too, can own a piece of Michael Jackson memorabilia -- for the right price, of course.

Dr. Arnold Klein, dermatologist to the stars, is now bankrupt and under investigation by the state medical board, so he's auctioning off some memorabilia to pay the bills.

Klein is said to have hundreds of items from famous folks that he plans to auction off later this month by Bonhams & Butterfields.

He's got a hat that Michael Jackson wore when he left a hospital burn unit, an invite to Elizabeth Taylor's eighth wedding, and a Princess Leia wig that Carrie Fisher wore to a party.

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Of these items, the MJ hat is the big winner, with an asking price of $10,000; Taylor's invite is going up for $350 and Fisher's wig? Just $200 to start.

Fisher, it's being reported, recently loaned her old friend $150,000 so he could hire a new bankruptcy lawyer.

Klein, it seems, is in a bit of a pickle since Dr. Conrad Murray's defense lawyers' allegations that he made Jackson dependent on drugs emerged.

That would definitely hurt his business, I would imagine.

This guy has fallen hard and fast, for sure -- he once lived an absolute life of luxury that included expensive cars, a personal chef, and friendships with big stars like Jackson and Taylor.

Read: Michael Jackson's Hair Sells at Auction for $10,871

Klein is also selling his three multimillion dollar homes to put a dent in his $12 million in debts.

The Bonham & Butterfields auction of the "Collection of Dr. Arnold Klein" will be January 23 in Los Angeles. Will anyone care?


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