Category: Michael Jackson

In Michael Jackson’s will, created in 2002, the entertainer named his 79-year-old mother, Katherine, as the guardian of his three children:  Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7.  If his mother is unable to care for the children, Jackson named Diana Ross, 65, as their guardian.  Jackson left his assets –valued in 2002 to be $500 million–in a family trust and named attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain and accountant Barry Siegel as executors, reports People.

Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine, gained temporary custody of the entertainer’s three children Monday until an Aug. 3 hearing when permanent guardianship of the children is decided.  The Superior Court judge did not grant her request to be the guardian of the children’s estate.

Michael Jackson’s father, Joseph, along with family friend Rev. Al Sharpton held a press conference Monday and stated that funeral arrangements will not be made until after the results of the second autopsy of the entertainer’s body.  Jackson said that the family will not rush their plans because they want to  “preserve the legacy” of Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson’s father, Joseph, released the following statement Saturday regarding his death:

In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find the words appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter. Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times. 

We miss Michael endlessly, our pain cannot be described in words. But Michael would not want us to give up now. So we want to thank all of his faithful supporters and loyal fans worldwide, you – who Michael loved so much. Please do not despair, because Michael will continue to live on in each and every one of you. Continue to spread his message, because that is what he would want you to do. Carry on, so his legacy will live forever. 

In addition, Joseph Jackson wishes to personally convey: “My grandchildren are deeply moved by all the love and support you have shown for them and their father, Michael Jackson.” 

Joseph Jackson & Family 

While rumors continue to swirl about the King of Pop’s prescription drug use, authorities were unable to determine a cause of death for Michael Jackson after the autopsy of his body Friday.

“The cause of death has been deferred, which means that the medical examiner has ordered additional testing such as toxicology and other studies,” Los Angeles County Coroner‘s spokesman Craig Harvey said. “Those tests we anticipate will take an additional four to six weeks.”

While authorities plan an autopsy Friday for Michael Jackson’s body,  the Jackson family lawyer spoke out on the CBS series, “The Early Show,” about his past concerns of  Jackson taking prescription drugs due to injuries from performing.

“I had warned everyone that I could warn and I told them that one day, Michael Jackson is going to wake up dead, which is a very odd way of putting it,” Brian Oxman said on the show. “I do not want to point fingers at anyone because I want to hear what the toxicology report says and the coroner says but the plain fact of the matter is that Michael Jackson had prescription drugs at his disposal at all times.

“The bottom line was that he was under the influence of prescription medications for most of the time and it was dangerous and I’ve sworn that it was dangerous and all the warnings went unheeded.”

The King of Pop died from cardiac arrest Thursday in Los Angeles.  Michael Jackson was 50 years old.  The entertainer was preparing to perform 50 concerts in London starting July 13.  

My prayers go out to the Jackson family.  I still remember seeing Michael perform with his brothers during the Torture concert tour.  What is your favorite memory or song from the King of Pop?