George Michael's Guitar Sells for £180,000 After Family Dispute

A guitar once owned and used by the late singer George Michael has sold for £180,000 at auction, despite objections raised shortly before the sale.

The guitar was closely associated with Faith, the title track of George Michael's hugely successful 1987 album, which helped cement his status as one of the most popular artists of his generation.

The sale, however, was not without controversy. Before the auction took place, the brother of George Michael's late personal assistant publicly objected to the items being sold.

According to the brother, his sister would not have wanted the guitar, or other items associated with the singer, to be put up for sale.

The dispute was described as a row, reflecting the tension between those who felt the items should be preserved privately and those responsible for organising the auction.

Despite the objections, the sale proceeded as scheduled. The guitar ultimately attracted significant interest from bidders before selling for £180,000.

The high final price underscores the enduring commercial value of memorabilia connected to major music figures, particularly those with devoted global fanbases.

George Michael, who rose to fame in the 1980s as part of the duo Wham! before launching a successful solo career, remains one of Britain's most celebrated pop artists years after his death.

Items linked to his career, from stage outfits to instruments, have previously drawn strong interest from collectors and fans.

This latest auction result suggests that demand for authentic items connected to his legacy continues unabated.

The identity of the buyer and the full details of how proceeds will be used were not disclosed in reports of the sale.

The disagreement over the guitar highlights broader questions that often arise when the personal possessions of deceased celebrities are sold, particularly regarding who has the moral authority to decide their fate.

While legal ownership determines who can sell such items, cases like this show that personal and emotional connections to the deceased can complicate matters, even when they do not prevent the transaction from happening.