Michael Jackson, a music legend, died in 2009 at the age of 50 from complications stemming from a cocaine overdose, leaving behind his three young children. Prince, Paris, and Blanket (later renamed Bigi) went in with Katherine Jackson, their father’s mother, who took on the role of legal guardian for them.
She observed that Prince was a “serious” boy who aspired to be a movie director while raising the three children. She praised Paris, who was gifted in both music and art, saying, “I see [Michael’s] talent in her.” Katherine noted that Michael’s youngest child was “very playful like Michael was.”
Bigi isn’t playing right now, but. The 22-year-old is involved in a legal battle with his 93-year-old grandmother, who wants Michael’s estate, which benefits the singer’s children, to pay the $500,000 in legal fees she has allegedly incurred while opposing executors’ decision to sell half of the King of Pop’s $1.2 billion publishing and recorded masters catalogue to Sony Music Group. Bigi, Paris, 26, and Prince, 27 have all supported this business decision. The dispute began nearly 15 years after the singer’s father passed away. Exclusively to In Touch, a source said, “The family war has exploded.” Katherine is still opposed to selling the catalogue, even though her grandchildren will profit from it. It’s unfortunate because the children and their grandmother used to have a very close relationship, but these days there’s so much
How Did the Legal Battle Between Michael Jackson’s Kids and Mother Begin?
Bigi originally supported the matriarch of the Jackson family when she disagreed with the co-executors of the estate, John Branca and John McClain, on their choice to sell half of Michael Jackson’s catalogue for an estimated $600 million. However, Bigi, Paris, and Prince agreed with the court’s ruling after it was made last year, when the judge declared that the purchase could proceed. But Katherine didn’t, and she appealed. “She used to be extremely protective of Michael, and now she’s protective of his legacy, particularly his music,” the person said.
She submitted petitions in December requesting that the estate cover her legal expenses. Bigi protested in March, saying in court filings that it would be “unfair” to force him and his brothers to pay for a battle that Katherine, not them, had chosen to undertake. Bigi’s solicitors stated in their letter that “it is readily apparent that a reversal on appeal would be an extreme long shot” and that Bigi “decided not to waste his resources to participate in an appeal” since it “is not for the benefit of the heirs.” Days later, Katherine retaliated, arguing in court documents that Michael’s estate is worth an estimated $2 billion, therefore the executors are being overly conservative and the estate can afford to pay the costs Katherine has sought and still owes.
The siblings and their grandmother are at odds. The source said, “They don’t speak — they speak through their lawyers,” and that there may never be mending in the relationship. “It’s unfortunate, as Michael would not have desired this.”
