Couple's million-dollar doll obsession

Couple's million-dollar doll obsession

Couple's million-dollar doll obsession, Cabbage Patch Kids: Don't Call Them the 'D' Word, See the 6,000-square-foot climate-controlled home Joe and Pat built for their 5,000 "babies." To the average person they're just dolls, but to Joe and Pat, who have a Cabbage Patch Kid collection of 5,000, it's their "kids" or "babies," says Pat.

While the collectors have never had their “kids” appraised, the estimated worth is close to $1 million, with nearly six figures invested in building the collection.

Kevin, one of their most special Cabbage Patch Kids, is the one the couple brought to the studio with them today. Pat tells Anderson that they used to bring Kevin with them to many functions, but because he's a 1985 (too much wear and tear) he is only reserved for Cabbage Patch functions.

"Joe, you actually asked us to put a microphone on Kevin..." says Anderson.

"Yes, says Joe," and then speaking for Kevin, "because I love to talk... I love to talk."

The collector continues, "In the Cabbage Patch world, most all the collectors, the big-time collectors, have a special Cabbage Patch Kid that they love and carry with them just like we do Kevin. And they all have their own personality and we have found that over the years, they all have their own voice. It's just a fun thing to do."

To say Pat and Joe are extremely devoted to their 5,000 Cabbage Patch Kid collection, would be an understatement.

While the couple lives in a mobile home with approximately 1,000 square feet, their "kids" live in a 6,000 square foot home — that's climate controlled. Take a look at how this obsession began...

If your parents not only had a collection of 5,000 Cabbage Patch Kids, but treated them as real kids -- how would you react?

“What was it like growing up with thousands of Cabbage Patch Kids?” Anderson asks Vikki, Pat and Joe's daughter.

“I know they care about me and they love their kids and I think that’s great, but I always tried to distance myself,” says Vikki. “He (Kevin, her parents’ prized Cabbage Patch Kid) got his pictures on the Walk of Fame... I just kept walking the other way like I didn’t know them.”

“Does Vikki consider Kevin her actual brother?” Anderson asks. Vikki answers, “No.” According to Joe, Kevin thinks differently. Take a look...

Down the road, if something happened to you, Anderson asks Joe and Pat, collectors of Cabbage Patch Kids, "Do you worry about what will happen to your collection?"

"We do worry about that," answers Pat.

"I gotta tell you, I don't think Vikki wants it," jokes Anderson.

Vikki answers, "EBay, here I come."

"If something happens to us I would be rolling in my grave if she got her hands on it," continues Pat.

via: andersoncooper