The reclusive life of Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe, 67, as more details emerge over who really fathered the singer’s children

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Debbie Rowe, who was married to Michael Jackson, has lived a private life for over twenty years since their very public divorce.

After a nine-year battle with breast cancer, Debbie was barely recognizable when she was seen out in public last April.

The 67-year-old woman, a former nurse, is the mother of Michael Jackson’s two older children, 28-year-old Prince and 27-year-old Paris. Michael also had a son, 23-year-old Bigi Jackson, born through a surrogate in 2002; his surrogate mother’s identity remains unknown.

For years, people have speculated that the singer might not be the biological father of his three children.

Debbie has previously stated ex-husband Michael impregnated her artificially with his own sperm. 

Even Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson’s daughter, has said she’s closer to her mother as a friend. After her parents divorced, Paris primarily lived with her father.

Michael first encountered Debbie while she was working as an assistant for his doctor, Arnold Klein, not long after his split from Lisa Marie.

A passionate fan named Debbie once offered to have Michael Jackson’s children. Lisa, in a 2003 interview with Playboy, confirmed that Michael knew Debbie was infatuated with him and desired to be his baby’s mother, even while they were married.

Debbie and Michael were the same age and married in a private ceremony in Sydney in 1996. However, they divorced four years later, in 2000.

After her breakup with the celebrity, Debbie largely withdrew from public life. However, in 2022, she participated in a TMZ documentary and revealed she felt some responsibility for Michael’s passing.

During a TMZ investigation into Michael Jackson’s death, Debbie Rowe broke down in tears, expressing her regret for not intervening more when he developed a painkiller addiction.

Michael passed away at his Los Angeles home in June 2009 at the age of 50 due to a cardiac arrest brought on by drug use. His doctor at the time, Dr. Conrad Murray, was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Rowe said: ‘I was basically as bad as him [Klein] and I am so sorry I participated in it.’ 

Debbie’s remarks reportedly shocked Michael’s family, as sources say she hadn’t spoken to some family members about him since he passed away.

Debbie announced in 2016 that she had breast cancer. This led to a reconciliation with her daughter, Paris, after they had been distant for over a year.

Debbie mentioned on Entertainment Tonight how much support her daughter had given her.

‘She’s my rock, she’s amazing,’ she said. ‘She’s been with me the whole time.’

Debbie shared that she was the first person to call after finding out, reaching out within thirty seconds.

According to TMZ, the news of the cancer diagnosis led Paris and her mother to reconcile, after years of estrangement where Paris had cut off contact with her mother and wouldn’t return her calls.

In 2017, Paris rejoiced as her mother, Debbie, finished her final chemotherapy session, signaling a restored and stronger relationship between them.

While married to Michael, Debbie acted as a mother to his older children, Paris and Prince. Recently, questions have arisen regarding who the father of his youngest son is.

People close to the family of the deceased musician think Marlon Brando, famous for his role in The Godfather, might have been the sperm donor for his youngest son, Bigi (formerly known as Blanket).

A source says that things have recently become complicated within the Jackson family, and Paris and Prince Jackson have just learned about it.

Everything feels really odd, but things are starting to make sense. People are still trying to understand what’s going on.

Recent information suggests someone connected to Marlon may actually be the father. Learn more here.

Although Debbie was white, and both Prince and Paris shared similar fair features – Prince initially had blond hair and Paris has blue eyes – people quickly began to wonder if Prince was not their biological father.

Michael’s extreme efforts to conceal their faces in public – using things like masks and blankets – really highlighted how serious the situation was.

Despite reports that he lightened his skin, the singer firmly maintained in a well-known 2003 interview with Martin Bashir that he was the children’s biological father.

Okay, so look, I’ve been following everything about him for years, and he finally confirmed it! He used a surrogate for Blanket, which, amazing, but the biggest thing is he definitely used his own sperm for all three kids – Prince, Paris, and Blanket. He made it super clear: they are all his biological children. It’s just… incredible to finally have that confirmed. I knew it, deep down, but hearing him say it? It just makes everything even more… perfect.

But later that same year, biologists and geneticists began sharing with the press that while it was possible for Debbie and Michael to have lighter-skinned children, it was unlikely.

Rumors started spreading that Michael had a low sperm count and was using sperm donors – men he knew and respected – to have children. This quickly led to intense public speculation.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this! After everything, after they separated in ’99, Debbie actually let Michael have full custody of the kids. It was so sad! But then, when they were fifteen, they started talking again! Can you imagine? Fifteen years! It’s just…everything!

In 2021, Paris clarified her relationship with Debbie, describing her as a close friend.

I recently chatted with a fascinating entertainer on Willow Smith’s Red Table Talk, and we talked about how much our relationship has evolved – it’s really relaxed and comfortable now. We also opened up about the profound impact losing my father, who was a very famous figure, had on my life. It was a really honest conversation.

You know, I’ve always believed the best relationships are easygoing, and that’s exactly what I have with her. It’s just a really cool, relaxed friendship – honestly, ‘chill’ is the perfect way to describe it. We just vibe, and I love that!

She mentioned reconnecting with her mother as a teenager and now sees how much they have in common. She often shares her music with her mom to get her opinion.

It’s been great getting to know her. We have a lot in common, and I’ve enjoyed discovering her taste in music – she’s really into country and folk.

‘I send her some of the stuff that I’m working on that has banjos in them,’ she shared.

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2026-01-15 04:55