Thriller Jacket Sells for $1.8 Million

Last Sunday, Michael Jackson's iconic Thriller jacket was awarded to one lucky Texas gold trader, in exchange for a whopping $1.8 million.

The jacket is one of two worn by Jackson in the revolutionary video “Thriller,” and was the only one put up for auction at Julien's auction house in Los Angeles.

Designed by Debrah Landis, wife to "Thriller" video director John Landis, the jacket is made from soft red and black leather and features winged shoulders with an authentic autograph signed down the sleeve by the King of Pop himself.

Gold trader Milton Verret from Austin, Texas arrived at the auction house to personally outbid a dozen others, who were bidding by way of phone and computer, and he proudly collected one of the most sought after pieces of clothing in music history.

"It is one of the most important pieces of rock 'n' roll memorabilia in history," says Verret. The gold trader is no stranger to rock n' roll keepsakes-- his collection also includes another Michael Jackson jacket and a guitar signed by the members of U2.

It would be an understatement to say that Jackson--along with being one of the most well-known recording artists, dancers, sing-songwriters, and musicians--was just a philanthropist. Jackson dedicated a great deal of time and money in order to help children and adults, and made it his mission to bring the world together to create a more peaceful place to live in.

This is why it is only fitting that Jackson’s Thriller jacket will be used for the same purposes.

Milton Verret has announced that he will be displaying the jacket at Dell Children's Hospital in Austin before he sends it on a world tour in order to help raise money towards children's hospitals worldwide.

It was only two years ago last Saturday that we were all stunned by the news of Jackson's death.

Jackson was a musical legend whose dance moves, like the moon walk, and singles such as "Beat it" and "Billy Jean" will be mimicked and played forever. But out of all of them, his best song and video was, indeed, "Thriller".

More of a short film than a video, "Thriller" was cutting-edge material which paved the way for all future music videos. And, in its day, it was the most elaborate video being aired, featuring Jackson dancing as a zombie, belting out the song's well-known lyrics, and wearing his famous red jacket.

The jacket being auctioned off to a charitable man one day after the anniversary of his death is a fitting way to commemorate the King of Pop, and help him continue his legacy of benefiting society after his death.