Truman Capote’s Ashes Sell For More Than $40K

Author Truman Capote’s ashes sold for $40,750 to an anonymous buyer over the weekend in Los Angeles.

Truman Capote’s Ashes

The portion of Capote’s ashes that had been in possession of Joanne Carson – the ex-wife of former Tonight Show host Johnny Carson – were auctioned off Saturday. Juliens Auctions announced the sale of Capote’s ashes on Twitter.

“We had people from Russia, Germany, China, South America and here in the US who had interest in them,” the auctioneers’ president and chief Executive Darren Julien told CNN. “I anticipated it could sell for over $10,000, but didn’t anticipate it going to $45,000.”

Julien added, “He asked Joanne Carson before he passed. He told her he didn’t want to sit on a shelf. This is definitely right in line with his wishes.”

Carson’s estate also included some of Capote’s prescription pill bottles (which sold for $5,000), ice skates and the shirt he had been wearing on the day he died at Carson’s Bel Air home.

Among Capote’s best known writings were Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood.