5 headline-making Hermès Birkin handbag robberies: from Paris Hilton’s Bling Ring losses that also included Dior and Louis Vuitton bags, to RHOBH’s Kyle Richards and a hospitalised Saudi princess

When the first Birkin was released back in 1984, French luxury goods maker Hermès changed how the world looked at handbags. One of the most aspirational accessories of all time, the bag (named after the English-French actress and singer Jane Birkin), is still going strong nearly 40 years later. As an unwavering status symbol and a bucket-list addition to any wardrobe, the bag sees long waiting lists. However, not everyone is willing to wait months to get their hands on this rarest of handbags. Each piece can cost anywhere between US$11,000 and nearly US$400,000 – and they sell like hot cakes as preloved items too. Birkin burglaries are perhaps inevitable then, and don’t seem to have let up over the decades, much like the craze for the leather tote itself. From royalty to Hollywood A-listers and socialites, several high profile figures have had their Birkins stolen. Listed below are some heart-wrenching examples of Birkin burglaries that have taken place in different parts of the world with people who have one thing in common – a deep love for the Hermès Birkin bag. 1. US$1 million worth of Hermès bags stolen from an Australian home With every collection of expensive bags comes a great responsibility to keep them safe. But when criminals are calculated in their means of attaining them, there’s little one can do. In 2015, thieves broke into an upscale Melbourne home while the owners were on holiday and made off with scores of bags, Australian newspaper The Age reported at the time. 8 times K-pop’s ‘sold-out stars’ reigned the fashion world, from V to Jennie The US$1 million Hermès handbag collection comprised 30 bags, including Birkins made of crocodile skin and ostrich – the likes of which usually cost north of US$200,000. 2. A former multimillionaire stole his sister’s precious Birkin collection So precious are Hermès bags that British former multimillionaire Stephen Humberstone stole three of his sister’s luxury handbags to force her out of his mansion in 2010 during a bitter family feud, according to The Independent. The report stated that there were two Birkins and one Kelly bag taken in the theft. Not only did his sister call the police, but she also got her sibling arrested and charged. 3. Robbers stole Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richard’s entire handbag collection Acquiring a Birkin collection is considered an investment. It takes many years and a lot of money, and RHOBH’s Kyle Richards was one of the lucky few who was able to amass one of the most impressive and desirable collections of Birkins out there. As you might expect, she flaunted the fact on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. However in 2017, her home was robbed, and thieves made off with all her designer purses and high-end jewellery. “They stole all my handbags,” she said afterwards, per Fashionista. “I’m never going to have the collection that I had because I’m also scared after what happened. You think about robbery, you think jewellery, but when I found out all my bags were taken I was so shocked.” Apparently, Fashionista reports that Birkin connoisseur Kris Jenner is even helping Richards rebuild her collection. 6 of the ever-stylish Princess Charlene of Monaco’s favourite fashion brands 4. Paris Hilton lost many Birkins to the infamous Bling Ring In 2008, heiress Paris Hilton was forced to part with her luxury handbags by a notorious group of thieves called the Bling Ring, who stole from her a whopping eight times! “They literally came in here eight times when I was out of town, and every time they would pick up as much as they could fit in their arms,” Hilton recalled to British Vogue. “They stole like all my Birkin bags, all of my iconic Dior bags, my Louis Vuittons – anything that was designer, they took,” she added. In total, the Hollywood Hills gang stole US$2 million worth of jewellery, clothing, cash and other items from Hilton’s residence, Today reported. 5. A Saudi princess lost 30 Hermès Birkin bags in a heist at her Paris home In November 2020, thieves stole US$713,000 worth of goods from the Paris flat of a Saudi princess while she was away, including bags – of which 30 were from Hermès and presumably included Birkins and Kellys – jewellery, a Cartier watch and furs. The haul was such a blow to the wealthy 47-year old that, according to The Guardian, the princess had to be hospitalised for shock! This article originally appeared on Luxurylaunches. Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.