Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video features some of his most iconic looks.
His candy-apple red leather jacket featured padded shoulders and striking black V-stripes that commanded attention.
The tailored silhouette accentuated Jackson’s slender frame as he danced through the dark. And the captivating video has garnered over 1.2 billion YouTube views to date.
Before his 2009 passing, Jackson autographed and gifted the jacket to his longtime costume designers, Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush.
The jacket was later sold to Texas businessman Milton Verret for $1.8 million at a Julien’s Auctions sale in June 2011. Verret, a longtime supporter of children’s hospitals, has used his philanthropy to help fund pediatric healthcare.
Now, the “Thriller” jacket is poised to change hands once again.
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Julien’s Auctions announced that Jackson’s red calfskin jacket, along with other significant items, will be up for auction from Dec. 7 to Dec. 9 at Rosewood Abu Dhabi.
According to the company’s website, fans can purchase more than 100 “extraordinary pieces” from Jackson’s collection. The auction includes “four that changed celebrity fashion, music, and pop culture.”
Alongside the “Thriller” jacket, Julien’s Auctions will offer the black Florsheim loafers Jackson wore during the video’s rehearsals and filming. Rounding out the four-item auction lot are the single rhinestone glove and “Moonwalk” loafers Jackson wore during his historic performance of “Billie Jean” at the 1983 “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” television special.
There were actually two “Thriller” jackets. The second went to Jackson’s estate.
The news of the auction drew mixed reviews.
One person eager to participate said, “it’s smashing piggy bank time.”
Another clever person wrote, “I’ll be there,” referencing the title of the Jackson 5’s hit song.
Still, many Jackson supporters were outraged, arguing that his items were too valuable to end up on the auction block.
“DON’T YOU DARE SELL THOSE!!! THEY BELONG IN A MUSEUM NOT IN SOMEONES HOUSE!!!! HAVE U LOST UR MIND!!!!” said one person.
A fourth person typed, “Paris, please do something omg.”
The auction comes amid the Jackson estate’s ongoing legal battle with his second-oldest child, Paris Jackson.
Paris, 28, is a beneficiary of the estate, along with her brothers Prince Jackson, 29, and Bigi “Blanket” Jackson, 24, as well as Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, 96.
Jackson’s daughter alleged that estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain mishandled the estate’s finances and accounting practices.
She filed a legal challenge in 2025 after the duo awarded $625,000 in unapproved bonuses to outside law firms. A Los Angeles judge ruled in her favor in May 2026, ordering them to return the funds to the estate. McClain, 71, died a few days prior to the ruling.
Paris later requested that Branca reimburse her $1.6 million in legal fees, but he objected, arguing that the amount was excessive.
In July, Branca also sought to keep documents related to the fees sealed, claiming their release could jeopardize future business deals.
Paris disputed the claims, saying she suspects Branca’s motive for keeping the documents sealed is to protect his own reputation rather than the estate’s.
She also alleged that Branca and McClain have been paid $120 million over the 13 years they’ve managed the estate — far more than she and her brothers have received.
According to court documents TMZ obtained, Branca filed an annual accounting report showing that Jackson’s estate spent over $20 million on his three children and mother in 2024.
The filing shows Prince received $6.4 million, Paris received $6.4 million, and Bigi received $3.1 million. Their grandmother, Katherine, received $4 million.
According to TMZ, Branca says the estate is currently worth more than $1 billion.
The Jackson biographical film, “Michael,” officially surpassed $1 billion at the global box office in July, becoming the first biopic to reach this milestone.
