The Pamela Anderson stolen safe auction concluded with the notorious safe—which once contained the infamous stolen sex tape—being sold for $2,500 at Julien’s Auctions. This safe, part of a dark chapter in Anderson and Tommy Lee’s life, drew attention again decades after its theft from their Malibu residence.
The 1995 Theft and Its Impact
In 1995, an electrician named Rand Gauthier stole the couple’s safe to retaliate after Tommy Lee allegedly failed to pay $20,000 for renovation work he performed at their home in Malibu. Hidden inside the safe not only were firearms and jewelry, but also a 54-minute home video tape including eight minutes of intimate footage featuring Anderson and Lee. The theft had significant personal and public consequences for both individuals as the footage became widely distributed.
Gauthier duplicated the stolen tape and set up websites through which buyers could obtain VHS copies, making the private lives of Anderson and Lee the subject of global tabloid coverage and sparking legal and emotional turmoil.
Auction Sale and Its Beneficiaries
Recently, this notorious safe was featured in Julien’s Auctions’ ‘Played, Worn & Torn’ event, where iconic memorabilia was offered with proceeds directed to charities such as MusiCares, Teenage Cancer America, Gibson Gives, and St. Jude’s. The auction set a pre-sale estimate for the safe between $4,000 and $6,000, but the item ultimately sold for $2,560—less than originally anticipated.
Tommy Lee himself left a handwritten message on the safe, declaring,
This is the unsafe that ruined my life!
– Tommy Lee
Legacy and Cultural Reflection
The saga of the stolen tape and safe continues to resonate in media and pop culture. Hulu dramatized the events in a series without Pamela Anderson’s approval, focusing on her tumultuous relationship with Lee. Anderson criticized Lily James and Sebastian Stan’s portrayals, describing their takes as similar to Halloween costumes, expressing discomfort with how her story was retold without her input.
The infamous sex tape remains a significant reference point in celebrity and internet history, even influencing artists in recent years. New Zealand pop star Lorde referenced the tape in her latest album, ‘Virgin.’ Sharing her thoughts, she said,
I found it so beautiful. And maybe it’s fucked up that I watched it, but I saw two people that were so in love with each other, and there was this purity.
– Lorde, Pop Star
Lorde further reflected,
They were jumping off this big boat.… They were like children. They were so free. And I just was like, ‘Whoa. Being this free comes with danger.’
– Lorde, Pop Star
Continuing Repercussions and Broader Meaning
The sale of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s stolen safe not only underscores the ongoing public fascination with their story but also demonstrates how personal tragedies can become enduring elements of celebrity culture. As proceeds from the auction benefit charitable organizations, the item now has a new legacy, supporting causes beyond its troubled history, while the events surrounding it continue to spark complex discussions about privacy, pop culture, and personal freedom.
