The children of the late pop icon Michael Jackson—Prince, Paris, and Bigi—are navigating complex public lives and personal struggles, marked by diverging paths and a notable rift within the family over the recently released biopic, "Michael."
Prince Jackson: Entrepreneur and Advocate
Prince Jackson, 29, Michael's eldest son with ex-wife Debbie Rowe, has largely followed a path of entrepreneurship and philanthropy. He graduated cum laude from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in business administration. Prince is engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Molly Schirmang, whom he began dating in 2017. He co-founded the Heal Los Angeles Foundation in 2016, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people through impactful programs. Prince was a producer on and a vocal supporter of the "Michael" biopic, attending its premiere with his brother Bigi.
He has spoken about his unique upbringing at Neverland Ranch, describing it as a magical, albeit unusual, childhood where family life was set against a backdrop of exotic animals. Prince recalled spending time playing board games, reading, and watching movies with his siblings.
Paris Jackson: Artistic Pursuits and Personal Battles
Paris Jackson, 28, the only daughter of Michael and Debbie Rowe, has pursued a career in music. She has recently been candid about her struggles with mental health and addiction, detailing experiences with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and a history of depression and drug abuse. In a 2017 interview, she revealed that tattoos concealed scars from self-harm and drug use, and she had previously attempted suicide multiple times. Paris has marked several years of sobriety, calling it the "best decision" she has ever made.
Paris has also reconnected with her mother, Debbie Rowe, later in life, describing their relationship as organic and positive. However, her relationship with the estate's co-executors, John Branca and John McClain, who produced the "Michael" biopic, has been contentious. Paris publicly denounced the film, calling it "dishonest" and a "fantasy," and accused the executors of financial mismanagement and using estate funds to finance the $150 million production. Lawyers for the estate refuted her claims, calling them "without merit" and accusing her of engaging in "media games."
Bigi Jackson: The Reclusive Younger Sibling
Bigi Jackson, formerly known as Blanket, born via surrogate in 2002, remains the most private of the three siblings. He has largely stayed out of the public eye, though he made headlines regarding his stance on the "Michael" biopic. Court filings indicated that Bigi's team was initially working towards an agreement between the siblings and the estate executors. However, Paris's subsequent reversal on certain terms reportedly derailed the process, a situation attributed by the executors to her lawyers "inexplicably reversing their position entirely."
The differing public stances and personal journeys of Prince, Paris, and Bigi highlight the varied impact of their father's legacy and the challenges of growing up under intense global scrutiny.