George Michael’s Iconic “Faith” Guitar at Center of Family Dispute Over Auction
After George Michael’s former personal assistant, Siobhan Bailey, died in 2014, her estranged husband inherited her collection of memorabilia and later put items up for auction. The sale included Michael’s “Faith” guitar, prompting a dispute with Bailey’s brother over whether the collection should have gone to her nieces and nephews.
The guitar sold for $241,000, above the estimated $160,000. Bailey’s brother, Gerard, tried to cancel the auction and objected to Sworders using his sister’s name to promote it, calling that a breach of her privacy. Auctioneer Guy Schooling said Belcher found the items in a garage and wanted to prevent them deteriorating.
In short
- George Michael’s “Faith” guitar sold for $241,000.
- Bailey’s brother challenged the auction and its promotion.
- Her estranged husband had inherited the collection.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Bailey’s estranged husband inherited the memorabilia and could reasonably argue that selling it was within his rights as its owner. If the items were stored in a garage and at risk of deterioration, auctioning them could preserve their value and place them with people able to care for them.
The case against
Bailey’s brother could reasonably argue that the collection had personal and family significance and should have gone to her nieces and nephews, rather than being sold by an estranged spouse. He could also object to using his sister’s name to promote the auction, seeing that as an intrusion on her privacy and her family’s wishes.
Explained simply
George Michael was a British singer whose 1987 album Faith included the hit song of the same name. He used a distinctive black guitar during the album’s promotion, making it one of the objects associated with that period of his career.
Siobhan Bailey worked as Michael’s personal assistant and collected memorabilia linked to him. After her death, her estranged husband inherited the collection; her brother Gerard argued that it should instead have gone to Bailey’s nieces and nephews.
The dispute concerns who should control and sell the collection, and whether Bailey’s name should be used to promote the sale. It also raises questions about how personal belongings are handled when someone dies and family members disagree over their wishes.