Kelly Clarkson will not be getting Jane Austen's ring after Jane Austen's House Museum in Hampshire, England raised enough money to buy the ring.
It was reported last month that the "Stronger" singer won a ring once owned by Jane Austen in an auction for $228,000. However, the British government wasn't keen on the ring leaving the country due to its cultural value. Britain decided to give someone from Britain a chance to come up with the money, setting a deadline for Sept. 30.
The culture minister, Ed Vaizey, said at the time, "Jane Austen's modest lifestyle and her early death mean that objects associated with her of any kind are extremely rare, so I hope that a UK buyer comes forward."
Well, Jane Austen's House Museum managed to raise the cash just a week ahead of the deadline thanks to donations, The Guardian reports.
Curator of the museum, Mary Guyatt, said, "We have been stunned by the generosity and light-footedness of all those who have supported our campaign to meet the costs of acquiring Jane Austen's ring."
Clarkson took the news with grace saying, "The ring is a beautiful national treasure." She added, "and I am happy to know that so many Jane Austen fans will get to see it."
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