Michael Jackson’s three children, once set to inherit their father’s vast fortune, have found themselves unable to access any of his wealth due to a complex legal dispute involving the late singer’s estate.
The King of Pop, whose groundbreaking music and electrifying performances revolutionized the entertainment industry, left behind not just an extraordinary legacy but also a family deeply affected by his passing. His three children—Michael Joseph “Prince” Jackson Jr., Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, and Prince Michael “Blanket” Jackson II, now known as Bigi—have been at the center of the legal battle that has ultimately blocked them from receiving their rightful inheritance.
The Lives of Michael Jackson’s Three Children
Prince Jackson: The Eldest Son Carving His Own Path
Born on February 13, 1997, Michael Joseph “Prince” Jackson Jr. is the eldest of Michael Jackson’s children. His mother, Debbie Rowe, was Jackson’s second wife. As a child, Prince, along with his siblings, was often seen in public wearing masks—an attempt by their father to shield them from media scrutiny and maintain their privacy.
Despite growing up under the intense glare of fame, Prince has worked to build his own identity outside of his father’s shadow. He pursued higher education and graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2019 with a degree in business administration. He has also explored the entertainment industry, co-founding King’s Son Productions, a company focused on producing original content and media projects.
Paris Jackson: A Rising Star in Fashion and Music
Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, born on April 3, 1998, is Michael’s only daughter and has been the most publicly recognized of the three siblings. Her mother is also Debbie Rowe. Paris has embraced a career in modeling, acting, and music, stepping into the limelight with confidence.
She has appeared in several films, including Gringo (2018), and in 2020, she released her debut solo album, Wilted. Beyond her professional pursuits, Paris has been vocal about mental health awareness, often sharing her struggles and inspiring many young people who relate to her experiences.
Bigi Jackson: The Most Private of the Three Siblings
The youngest of Michael Jackson’s children, Prince Michael “Blanket” Jackson II, was born on February 21, 2002, through an anonymous surrogate. Unlike his older siblings, Bigi has remained largely out of the public eye.
One of his most infamous childhood moments came when Michael Jackson controversially dangled him over a hotel balcony, sparking global concern. However, as he grew older, Bigi managed to maintain a low profile, focusing on his passion for filmmaking and video production. He currently resides in California, preferring to stay away from the media spotlight.
Why Jackson’s Children Have Been Blocked from Their Inheritance
Following Michael Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009, his mother, Katherine Jackson, became the legal guardian of his children. The Jackson family has remained a tight-knit unit, offering unwavering support to Prince, Paris, and Bigi.
However, recent developments have led to an unexpected financial roadblock for the three heirs. The primary reason? An ongoing legal battle between the estate and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which has complicated the distribution of Jackson’s assets.
The Dispute Between Michael Jackson’s Estate and the IRS
Initially, when Jackson’s estate was established, his children and mother were designated as beneficiaries, ensuring they would be financially taken care of. However, in 2021, the IRS launched an audit of the estate’s tax filings, ultimately concluding that the estate had been grossly undervalued.
The IRS’s revised valuation suggested that Jackson’s assets had been undervalued by hundreds of millions of dollars, leading to an assessment that claimed the estate owed an additional $700 million in taxes and penalties.
This unexpected tax dispute threw a wrench into the estate’s financial planning. While Jackson’s legal team managed to dispute and reduce a portion of the IRS’s claim, the overall estate value has still not been fully finalized, leaving all financial distributions in limbo.
Estate Executors Prevent Any Money From Being Distributed
Due to the unresolved legal complications, the estate’s executors, John Branca and John McClain, have been unable to determine a safe amount of money to distribute to the beneficiaries, including Jackson’s children and his mother, Katherine.
The estate is legally required to donate 20% of its final value to charity before any remaining assets can be divided among Jackson’s heirs. Because the total value of the estate is still under dispute, the executors have been left with no choice but to freeze all payouts to the beneficiaries until the case is settled.
What This Means for Jackson’s Children
Prince, Paris, and Bigi—who are now 27, 26, and 21 years old—have effectively been cut off from receiving any direct financial support from their father’s estate.
This unexpected situation has left fans shocked, as Michael Jackson’s wealth was assumed to be more than sufficient to secure his children’s financial future. However, with legal restrictions preventing any money from being distributed, the siblings will have to wait until the legal battle concludes before they can access their inheritance.
Are There Any Financial Provisions for the Children?
Despite the estate’s inability to distribute Jackson’s assets as originally planned, the executors have indicated that alternative financial support may be available. One possible solution is the “family allowance”, which can be used to provide necessary financial assistance to Jackson’s children and his mother while the estate’s value remains in question.
In an official statement, the estate clarified:
“In annual reports provided to the probate court, which are publicly available, anyone can see that the estate provides Michael’s mother and children with very substantial amounts of money to support them.”
“The estate has a very cooperative relationship with Michael’s children, and whenever they need anything, the estate works with them to ensure that they are very well taken care of—just as Michael would have wanted.”
While this statement reassures that Jackson’s children are not being left without any financial support, it does not change the fact that they have yet to receive their rightful inheritance, nor does it guarantee when they will gain full access to the wealth their father left behind.