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Michael Jackson May Not Be Kids' Biological Dad
Filed under: Celeb Parents, In The News
In the latest twist in the Michael Jackson saga, the King of Pop's second ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, has claimed that the late pop icon is not the biological father of her two children, Prince, 12, and Paris, 11, and that the marriage was a sham. She adds that she does not want custody of the kids, saying she is "no good" as a mother.
Jackson, 50, died June 25 after heart failure. It is not known who will take custody of Prince, Paris and a third child, Prince Michael II (Blanket), 6.
"The Brisbane Times" re-caps the interview, which was originally published by the UK's "News Of The World." In it, Rowe allegedly reveals that she was artificially inseminated by an anonymous donor and treated like "a thoroughbred mare" during her pregnancy: "I was just the vessel. It wasn't Michael's sperm. I got paid for it, and I've moved on. I know I will never see my children again."
Prince and Paris, and half-brother Prince Michael II are reportedly living with their paternal grandmother, 79-year-old Katherine Jackson, who filed for custody in Los Angeles Superior Court this week. Their guardianship has yet to be officially decided, and it's likely that a long -- and messy -- court battle over their custody will ensue. One thing is certain, according to Rowe: Prince and Paris will not be living with her. She was never "cut out to be a mother," she says.
They bonded over their common love for animals, and Rowe says the two spent many nights "hanging out" in bed together, reading magazines and watching movies together, surrounded by the late pop star's many pets. After the birth of the couple's daughter, Paris, Rowe discovered that she couldn't have any more children; she says that Jackson was hoping for more children and wanted "nothing to do with her." She reportedly relinquished her parental rights in exchange for a $8.4 million payout over nine years.
Mark Lester, godfather to Prince and Paris, has said he would be willing to assume guardianship, but sources say that it's likely that custody of all three children will be granted to Katherine Jackson.
There's no question that Jackson's death and the chaos surrounding his estate is great news fodder -- heck, I'm not immune to the juicy details of the star's wacky lifestyle. But the fact of the matter is that there are three young kids mourning the loss of their only parent.
I lost my dad when I was 30 years old, and it hurt like nothing else in the world. What must it be like for the Jackson kids? As a mother, I have a very hard time understanding what would motivate Rowe to say such hurtful things about her own children -- and in such a public medium. She regrets what she did? Fine. But to tell the world that she doesn't want her own kids? There are some things that should never be said out loud -- and especially not to a tabloid newspaper.
Do you think Rowe should keep her past with Michael Jackson private for the sake of her kids, no matter how she feels about the situation? Or does she have a right to clear the air, even if it hurts the children?
Jackson, 50, died June 25 after heart failure. It is not known who will take custody of Prince, Paris and a third child, Prince Michael II (Blanket), 6.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, center, wearing a traditional Arabic woman's veil and all-covering gown called an abaya, with his son, Prince Michael II, also veiled, as they walk in Bahrain in 2006.
Hasan Jamali, AP
Michael Jackson, center, is supported by his security personnel as he walks into the courthouse with his father Joe Jackson, right, after arriving late to Santa Barbara County Superior Court, on March 10, 2005.
Kimberly White, Pool / AP
Michael Jackson applauds his fans while on top of his car after his arraignment on child molestation charges in Santa Maria, California on January 16, 2003.
Hector Mata, AFP / Getty Images
Michael Jackson's booking photo and personal information shown in this copy of a release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department after Jackson was booked on child molestation charges in Santa Barbara, CA, on November 20, 2003.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department / AP
Michael Jackson holds his eight-month-old son Prince Michael II over the balcony of the Adlon Hotel in 2002 in Berlin, Germany. Jackson was in Berlin with his three children to accept a lifetime achievement award.
Olaf Selchow, Getty Images
Minders escort the veiled children of Michael Jackson as they visit the Berlin Zoo in November 2002.
Sadek Hamaiel, Getty Images
Michael Jackson holds an unidentified child as he stands in the window of his suite in the Adlon hotel in Berlin.
Jockel Finck, AP
A masked Jackson traveling in Berlin, Germany.
Eric Richard, Getty Images
Michael Jackson testifies during his civil trial in Santa Maria Superior Court on December 3, 2002 in Santa Maria, California.
Jim Ruyman, Pool / Getty Images
Michael Jackson testifies in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, on November 13, 2002 in Santa Maria, CA.
Spencer Weiner, Pool / AP
"The Brisbane Times" re-caps the interview, which was originally published by the UK's "News Of The World." In it, Rowe allegedly reveals that she was artificially inseminated by an anonymous donor and treated like "a thoroughbred mare" during her pregnancy: "I was just the vessel. It wasn't Michael's sperm. I got paid for it, and I've moved on. I know I will never see my children again."
Prince and Paris, and half-brother Prince Michael II are reportedly living with their paternal grandmother, 79-year-old Katherine Jackson, who filed for custody in Los Angeles Superior Court this week. Their guardianship has yet to be officially decided, and it's likely that a long -- and messy -- court battle over their custody will ensue. One thing is certain, according to Rowe: Prince and Paris will not be living with her. She was never "cut out to be a mother," she says.
"I was no good. I don't want these children in my life," says Rowe, who now lives on a ranch in California, where she raises horses. "My children are my animals now."
Rowe and Jackson were married in Sydney in 1996, after meeting at the dermatology clinic where Jackson went for skin treatments. Rowe worked there as a receptionist, and says that the singer was "divorced, lonely and wanted children." The two never had sex, she adds, and said that their relationship was just a friendship. They never even shared a bed during their three year marriage.They bonded over their common love for animals, and Rowe says the two spent many nights "hanging out" in bed together, reading magazines and watching movies together, surrounded by the late pop star's many pets. After the birth of the couple's daughter, Paris, Rowe discovered that she couldn't have any more children; she says that Jackson was hoping for more children and wanted "nothing to do with her." She reportedly relinquished her parental rights in exchange for a $8.4 million payout over nine years.
Mark Lester, godfather to Prince and Paris, has said he would be willing to assume guardianship, but sources say that it's likely that custody of all three children will be granted to Katherine Jackson.
There's no question that Jackson's death and the chaos surrounding his estate is great news fodder -- heck, I'm not immune to the juicy details of the star's wacky lifestyle. But the fact of the matter is that there are three young kids mourning the loss of their only parent.
I lost my dad when I was 30 years old, and it hurt like nothing else in the world. What must it be like for the Jackson kids? As a mother, I have a very hard time understanding what would motivate Rowe to say such hurtful things about her own children -- and in such a public medium. She regrets what she did? Fine. But to tell the world that she doesn't want her own kids? There are some things that should never be said out loud -- and especially not to a tabloid newspaper.
Do you think Rowe should keep her past with Michael Jackson private for the sake of her kids, no matter how she feels about the situation? Or does she have a right to clear the air, even if it hurts the children?
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ReaderComments (Page 2 of 2)
6-30-2009 @ 1:31PM
McMagnaTrades said...you are now comparing Michale Wackson to JESUS CHRIST?
have another drink pal.
its been 3 days has MJ risen from the grave yet?
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 1:34PM
AJ said...These kids will want to know the truth eventually. They will realize that they have no African American features what-so-ever. Give it time. They will get older, wiser, and WANT to know the truth, and they will probably be angry with him for lieing to them. There is no way Michael is/was their biological father.
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 6:08PM
rguillory58 said...I am saddened by all the ugly comments. Seems the world is on a high of too much media. Let people rest in peace and grieve in peace. In this country we are innocent until proven guilty. They never could prove it. The parents of the so said child took a payout instead of trying to procecute. If they believe their child was molested and accepted cash for it...what does that make them?
I wish they would leave his family alone, but they never will.
God Bless each and every one of you.
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 3:09PM
rguillory58 said...I really doubt that Debbie Rowe said anything as ugly as she was accused of. She rented her uterus out, she doesn't love the kids, they aren't "her's". Michael was the only parent they knew. He was their Dad, and now he's gone. It has to be so hard on these kids. Michael loved them so much, and succeeded in protecting them while he was alive. The public never saw their face, no doubt for fear that they would be kidnapped or worse. Now the world can see them, and that has to be scary for them. Not to mention now dangerous. They need to stay with the family and nanny who had real love and care for them, not the others who see $$ signs.
God Bless
RIP MJ
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 6:07PM
rguillory58 said...No matter what any of us say, we are interested or we would not be reading any of the news and wouldn't be here talking about it. So if you talk MJ down, the truth is you are interested in everything about him or you wouldn't be here. I myself am guilty, I say RIP but I read everything that comes my way!
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 3:51PM
Heidi said...Is there anyone out there who ever actually thought he was their biological father? As someone else pointed out, all Debbie Rowe ever was was a uterus for rent. No reason for her to start parenting them now that their Dad is gone. And biological or not, wacko or not, MJ was their Dad. Those kids have been traumatized enough. Let Mrs. Jackson & the platoon of nannies who've already been raising them continue to do so. MJ is dead, his pain is gone - now it's those children who suffer. God knows they'll need endless therapy anyway for having lived with a nutjob like MJ for so long. And can someone please explain the Jesus reference? If it has anything to do with Michael that's even crazier than all the comparisons the media has made to Elvis. Give me a break - he hadn't done anything since "Thriller" except fill the tabloids with his weirdness.
Reply
7-01-2009 @ 4:39AM
Helena said...Regardless of whether or not MJ was their 'biological' father the fact remains that from their birth HE took care of them, nurtured them and loved them as though they were of his own body. That is what makes a parent. They are JACKSONs not Rowes and they are certainly not Kleins! AS to the ridiculous premise that Debbie Rowe is not their mother...will you please take a look at this picture of Debbie Rowe and the picture of Paris Jackson on the cover of US magazine? Look at the mouth...the girl looks just like Ms Rowe.
The thing here is to ensure the well being of the children and place them in the care of family members they are familiar and have a bond with. However I do believe that Ms Rowe should be allowed access to them but not full custody.
Rest in Peace Michael...I hope you made peace with your Creator before you departed. Your music lives on!
Reply
7-01-2009 @ 11:16AM
mike said...Of course they are not his kids!!! Micael Jackson is a Black Man. Black men do not have white babies. I know they have a white mother but they would have had at least one African American feature, and they hav none. People are crazy to think these are his kids, unless he put them through plastic surgery at a young age and no doctor would do that.
Reply
7-08-2009 @ 9:48PM
courtney said...this article has to be the biggest bunch of lying BS that i've ever read in my life.
Reply
7-09-2009 @ 9:52AM
Judy said...Seriously. Michael Jackson would be in jail for pedophilia if his ex-wife had not convinced jurors that he was a good man who would never do what he was accused of. Debbie Rowe bailed him out at that trial because he whishpered that she could regain visitation rights if she did. That turned out to be a lie by MJ so she sued him in 2006. He lived most of the time outside of the US in order to avoid his promises to her and $400 million others. How else could he maintain his lifestyle sleeping with children outside the view of his loving fans? Debbie Rowe is a wreck for making this deal. That's what happens when you make a deal with the devil
Reply
7-09-2009 @ 10:45AM
SKL said...Why does it matter to us whether or not they have his DNA? The only people that should matter to are the children themselves and their closest family. DNA does not make a family. Actual parenting does.
Whatever the children's birth stories are, I'm sure MJ told them (at least the older two) privately once they were old enough to understand. But even so, it's beyond hurtful to put this kind of discussion all over the media. Any publication (including this site) that publishes crap encouraging this discussion is irresponsible. Leave those innocent children alone.
Reply