The bible was inscribed by Kardashian Sr. and given to the late Simpson the day after the football player was arrested in 1994 in connection to the murder of his ex-wifeNicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. (Simpson was later acquitted of the crimes in October 1995.)
Kim, 44, contacted Simpson’s estate executor, Malcolm LaVergne, trying to buy the bible for $15,000 but was turned down, according to a People report published on Thursday, March 13.
LaVergne told the outlet he rejected the request as there were already contracts in place with the court to auction the bible off and it would cost more to contest the contract than Kim was offering to pay for the item.
“The amount is why I had no choice, because why would I spend $15,000 of estate money — why would I spend $15,000 in attorney’s fees — to sell it to Kim for $15,000?” LaVergne told People. “That’s a zero-sum game. That’s a bad business model. If Kim had offered $150,000 for it, we would’ve been in court getting this approved outside of the auction.”
However, Kim still may have a chance of obtaining the bible which currently has a leading bid of just under $10k.
“Kim can bid on it online,” LaVergne added. “She may even get it cheaper than the 15 grand, so who knows.”
Robert Kardashian Sr. and O.J. Simpson.(Photo by Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)
Kardashian Sr. reportedly wrote a handwritten message in the bible, which was dated June 18, 1994. Simpson was arrested on June 17.
“O.J., this book will help,” the bible’s note reads. “God loves and he will speak to you with his words. Read this book everyday. 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.”
Kardashian Sr. died in September, 2003 following a battle with esophageal cancer. He was 59. Simpson, meanwhile, died at the age of 76 from prostate cancer in April, 2024.
LaVergne is the executor tasked with selling off Simpson’s assets and personal items in order to pay off leftover debt.
The bible, which appears to hold sentimental value to the Kardashians, is not the only item being auctioned off.
Bidding for the personal items opened on Wednesday, March 13 via Goldin Auctions. As well as the bible, a framed photo of Simpson with former U.S. president Bill Clinton that was signed by both men is up for grabs.
Other items include football memorabilia from Simpson’s time playing professional NFL prior to the deaths of Brown and Goldman. Among the items for sale is a replica of Simpson’s 1968 Heisman Trophy. Punters can also bid for a trophy he was awarded after making history for being the first NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season in 1973.
