The infamous red leather jacket, worn by the deceased king of pop, Michael Jackson, in his renowned Thriller video, has sold this weekend at an auction in California, for $1.8 million. That is a cool R12.4 million at today’s exchange rate. The jacket also boasts Jackson’s signature on the one sleeve.

Jackson wore the jacket in the 1983 video in a scene with an ensemble of zombies who rise from their graves and break into a dance routine.

The black and red calf leather jacket with winged shoulders was one of two used for the original shoot.

The other one, which is in a poorer condition, is still owned by the Jackson estate.

The jacket sold to Milton Verret, a gold and commodities trader from Austin, Texas, who bid in person against about a dozen others from around the world.

He said he was planning to use the piece of history to raise money for children’s charities and children’s hospitals around the world.

The sale had been organised by Julien’s Auction in Beverly Hills and Verret, whose collection also includes another Jackson jacket and guitars signed by members of U2. Verret was delighted with his purchase:

It is one of the most important pieces of rock’n’roll memorabilia in history.

Some of the proceeds will also go to an animal sanctuary in California where Jackson’s two Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, are now living.

Other items sold at the auction included one of the singer’s wigs as well as a glove he wore to the American Music Awards in 1984.

The music video for Thriller is still considered one of the most influential of all time.

[Source: Guardian]