Michael Jackson Will: Diana Ross is In, Debbie Rowe is Out!
Michael Jackson's will has been filed with the court — and released for public reading.
In the five-page document, the King of Pop nominates his 79-year-old mother, Katherine Jackson, as the legal guardian of his three children — Prince, 12, Paris, 8, and Blanket, 7. The will adds that, should Katherine be dead or otherwise unable to care for the children, his brood should then be the responsibility of Motown legend Diana Ross.
Read what Diana Ross — and other celebs — said about the late singer in our photo tribute.
It is clearly stated in the will — dated July 7, 2002 — that Michael is no longer married to Deborah Rowe, who is the mother of his two oldest children. In fact, Michael "intentionally omitted" to provide for his ex-wife entirely.
Michael gives his entire estate to the Jackson Family Trust, along with the responsibility of paying any taxes related to his property. Lawyer John Branca, music executive John McClain and accountant Barry Siegel are all named co-executors of Michael's will, though Siegel ultimately resigned from this position in 2003.
According to a statement released by the two remaining co-executors, "The most important element of Michael's will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children."
Katherine currently has temporary custody of the children and has made a bid to make it permanent. However, because of Katherine's age, an insider tells Star that the childless Janet Jackson , who is the only person Michael truly trusted his kids with, is being eyed as the one to raise the three kids in the long-term.
A petition was also filed with the will that claims Michael's estate is worth more than $500,000,000. However, the will is several years old and just yesterday the Associated Press estimated that the late singer's net worth is closer to $236.6 million as he's known for being a lavish spender, even losing the majority stake of his one-time estate, Neverland, when it was foreclosed upon in 2007.
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READERS COMMENTS:
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I DO NOT THINK SHE SHOULD HAVE THE KIDS CUZ MICHAEL JACKSON WAS THERE FOR THEM WHEN THEY NEEDED SOME BODY
AND THERE STUPED ASS MOM SALED THEY I THINK MICHAEL JACKSON MOM SHOULD CAME THEM WIT HER CUZ SHE LOVES THEM SO MUCH AND I AGREE WIT THE MOM OF 5 KIDS -- ANNIE JACKSON
I think Janet should get the kids.Janet should also get the money.
-- Shenell
I love you Michel Jackson!!!!!!!
-- Shenell
I THINK THAT DIANNA AND JANET SHOULD GET THE KIDS. BOTH ARE VERY GOOD PEOPLE AND WOULD MAKE A 2 PARENT VERY WELL FOR THE KIDS OF MICHAEL JACKSON .GOD BLESS ALL INVOLVE FOR THE KIDS SAKE. IT IS TIME FOR HIS KIDS TO BE HAPPY AROUND VERY GOOD ENVIROMENT, HIS FATHER NEED TO SIT HIS A.... DOWN AND QUIT BEING GREEDY FOR HIS DECEASED SON MONEY. HE KNOWS HE WAS ABUSIVE AND LIES ABOUT IT.THAT IS WHY MICHAEL DID NOT LIKE HIM OR MEND HIS WAYS WITH HIM.WHEN U DO SOMETHING WRONG TO A KID THEY DO NOT FORGET IT,AND WILL GROW UP WITH IT FOR LIFE AND THAT WHAT HAPPEN TO MICHAEL.HE WAS A NICE PERSON, JUST LOOK AT HIS MUSIC BRINGING THE WORLD TOGETHER FOR EVERY ONE IN IT.WHAT A WONDERFUL THING GOD BLESS HIS SOUL.
-- GAIL RICHARDS
If it looks like an abuser, acts like an abuser, talks like an abuser, it's probably an abuser. I so hope the judge is smart enough not give the children to Debbie Heathcliff Rowe.
-- Lisa
Why should Debbie get her kids back when she basically stole them and as Prince,Paris,and Blanket said they want Janet to be there mother and im all for it. Debbie was not worried about them kids at all if she was she would have never that much money. She even said it herself "Im not ready to be a mother". And now that Michael is dead and gone [RIP]she wants to waltz right back into the childrens life hell no forget that. So no i dont think Debbie should get her kids back Debbie needs to just back off she destroyed herself as a parent by taking money for her own kids thats full batryal so she can go back to her life cause she loss her right as a parent when she sold her mothership as a parent for like 10,000 dollers.. :/
-- Grace
Why should Debbi be able to get visitation when she sold the kids and hasn't had anything to do with them after all this time? She shouldn't even be allowed within 500 feet of them.
-- Melinda
They are only out for MJ's money which he left in the childrens' names. Let the kids be, with their family, the JACKSONS!
-- bubble G.
I think with all thats going on Janet Jackson should get Michael's children because as said in the stoy above^, Janet was realy trusted, not sayint that Michael mother Katherine should not be the care giver of the children but due to her age the childen might grow and become very close and maybe have there hearts broken again and that will be a hole nother story, so i think that Janet should get the kids and Katherine and the rest of the Jackson family should help to make shore the children r happy healthy and safe
-- Latisha Davis
Well I am glad that that worthless pieco of trash "Debbie Rowe" wont be getting the kids. That B sold her kids anyway and she just wants them because they carry M.J. name and she feels that she can make money off of them. F that piece of S!!!!!!!!
-- Kira Smith |
