LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — An auction of some of Whitney Houston’s personal items by Julien’s Auction has fetched thousands of dollars for the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation.
The foundation offered fans a chance to own rare items from the late singer’s collection, like awards, fashion pieces, and jewelry. Bidding began weeks ago and concluded Monday morning.
“The sale honors the enduring legacy of the global superstar and seeks to raise awareness and generate vital support for the foundation’s diverse initiatives, scholarships, and services—each designed to reflect and address the values and needs of today’s youth,” Julien’s explained.
The items included Houston’s casino-themed jacket designed by Bob Mackie, a one-of-a-kind Harley Davidson black leather fringe jacket from the music video “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” Houston’s historic FIFA World Cup closing ceremony blue jersey from 1994, a custom-made Marc Bouwer-designed sheer black cat suit with bead and crystal embellishments worn by Houston at Madison Square Garden on her “I’m Your Baby Tonight” World Tour and more.
As it currently stands, it’s the Marc Bouwer catsuit and the FIFA jersey that garnered the highest bids in the collection. Both sold for $22,400, according to the Julien’s Auctions website. A Marc Bouwer velour set, which Houston wore during the 1991 HBO concert special, “Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston,” fetched $16,000.
The aforementioned Bob Mackie jacket sold for $5,760, and the Harley Davidson jacket went for $3,840. All of the proceeds raised are going toward The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation.
Other items included RIAA multi-platinum sales awards for “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “How Will I Know,” “I Will Always Love You,” “I Have Nothing,” and “The Bodyguard.” They each sold for more than $5,000, but the award for “The Bodyguard” went for the most at $16,000.
“In 1989, Whitney formed her first foundation, The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children,” the organization explained. “The WHFC helped homeless children, build inner city parks & playgrounds and provided college scholarships. She also supported many other charities including childhood diabetes, The Rain Forest Foundation, Hale House, Special Olympics, United Negro College Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research to name a few.”
Houston, who would have turned 62 on Saturday, died in 2012. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office determined that Houston, found unconscious in a bathtub, accidentally drowned due to the effects of cocaine use and heart disease.