Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Jackson Jacket Thrills Buyer for $1.8M at Auction

michael-jackson-thriller-jacket.jpg

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

The red leather jacket worn by late pop star Michael Jackson was purchased at auction today for $1.8 million. The winning bidder was Milton Verret of Austin, Texas, according to ABC7. The auction was held by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills.

Considered one of the most well-known pieces of clothing from pop music, the jacket, made by Marc Laurent Paris, was expected to go for about $400,000.

Verret isn't about to don the jacket, though, and do a ghoulish dance. Instead, he says he will use the jacket as a way to raise funds, by sending it on a tour to raise money for children's charities. Some of the money from today's auction of the jacket will go to The Shambala Preserve, where two of Jackson's Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, have been cared for the past five years.

On Saturday, crowds flocked to the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Jackson's star, on the second anniversary of the music legend's death.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today