‘Thriller’ jacket sells for €1.3m

A LEATHER jacket worn by Michael Jackson for his “Thriller” video sold for $1.8 million (almost €1.3m) at an auction to a Texas gold trader who plans to use it to raise money for children’s hospitals worldwide.

The black and red calf leather jacket was one of two used for the shoot. The other one, in scuffed condition, is owned by the Jackson estate.

The one sold by Julien’s auction house in Beverly Hills is in better shape and is signed on the sleeve by Jackson. It was designed by Deborah Landis, the wife of Thriller director John Landis. Jackson presented it to the vendors, Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, his longtime costume designers.

It sold to Milton Verret of Austin, Texas, who showed up in person to triumph over about a dozen bidders from around the world.

Plans are under way to show the Thriller jacket at Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, before sending it around the world to display during charity events. A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit an animal reserve where Jackson’s two Bengal tigers reside.