Michael Jackson's recently unearthed will is filed today in Los Angeles with some dramatic revelations.
The Daily News reports: "The will says Jackson left his entire estate—estimated at more than $500 million—to the Michael Jackson Family Trust, leaving nothing for ex-wife Debbie Rowe."I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Jean Rowe Jackson," the will, drafted in July 2002, states. Jackson named his mother, Katherine Jackson, beneficiary of the trust and guardian of his three children in the 5-page document. In a stunning revelation, singer Diana Ross is named to succeed Jacko's mother as guardian, if necessary."
Jackson's net worth at the time the will was executed in 2002 was more than $500 million. Jackson had a net worth of "more than $236 million as of March 2007" according to documents obtained by the AP..
In related news: A hearing is scheduled for Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court on guardianship for the children and Katherine' Jackson's petition to administer the estate. Katherine was awarded temporary guardianship of the three children on Monday. At this time a public memorial has not been announced.
Is anyone surprised Joe Jackson was not named co-guardian?
UPDATE: This urgent bulletin moved on Twitter by @BreakingNews: "Los Angeles Superior Court spokeswoman tells BNO News that an emergency hearing on Michael Jackson's case has begun.The reason for the emergency hearing on Michael Jackson's case was not immediately known."
I would think Diana would be too old to carry for 3 kids. It's bad enough for Katherine who is older.
Posted by: Kmark | 01 July 2009 at 13:11
DIANA ROSS? REALLY?
That seems like a typical Hollywood mentality and I agree with Kmark. Katherine has raised many children but is much older. Diana Ross never really wanted to raise any children and she is 60 something. ((SMH))
Posted by: Grambling State | 01 July 2009 at 13:17
i love how he axed joe
mj got the last blow in their ongoing war
yay for mj!
Posted by: alicia banks | 01 July 2009 at 13:23
This is beyond comprehension. Every day, no, every hour there is a new twist or turn.
Posted by: chris | 01 July 2009 at 13:42
He could have killed two birds with one stone by leaving those kids to Madonna, who actually seems to care about children. Diana was and is always about Diana.
*wondering why more black celebs don't adopt*
Posted by: seahawk | 01 July 2009 at 14:23
In fairness to Miss Ross, even her (many) detractors over the years have always had to admit that she's a very good mother. Her children were the only thing she put ahead of herself. Hell, she's raised five of them and nary a scandal about any of them. No drug problems, no arrests, no sex tapes, no flashing of the coochie. That's major success if the celebrity world. LOL
Posted by: mjolnir202 | 01 July 2009 at 14:58
I think more black celebs don't adopt because we actually give birth to and RAISE our own kids, rather than toss them into the hands of a nanny.
I'm just saying...
And does Madonna really care about kids? Or does she care about her own image? She reminds me of Veruca Salt (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).
Posted by: Crown Jewelz | 01 July 2009 at 14:58
Madonna wants black kids not white!!!
As far as Diana.... sex tapes and flashing coochies... Diana isn't 18y old. That type of thing did not reach media back in the 60's. Your comment didn't make any sense. As far as drugs and arrest... [cough].
I do not believe Diana raised her children. Diana was too busy being Diana.
Michael with kids.... his plan has backfired. Rowe hasn't been apart of the children's (2) lives, which would be strange for them for a period of time. I hope those 2 kids know MJ is not their biological father.
Posted by: Kmark | 01 July 2009 at 15:44
Kmark, too funny! But Miss Ross??? I would have thought that Janet would have been better, but, those people who raised Miss Ross's kids, since she was way too busy touring and just being Miss Ross to do it full time, did a good job as they are all productive members of society.
The saddest thing of all is all the spurious attacks from 'insiders,' gossip and innuendo behind this poor man in death makes what happened in real life seem tame so far and every day its an oddr day than the day before.
Posted by: Luther | 01 July 2009 at 15:58
mjoinir202, i agree with you. ross' children apparently adore her and there is never hardly any type of scandal associated with any of her kids which is a great feat for such a public woman with five children. i also agree that at 64, she may not be up to the task of raising such young children. i believe he picked her because he saw ross as a good mother and a smart business woman who would make sure that his children were well taken care of.
Posted by: FREELEO | 01 July 2009 at 16:22
I don't particularly understand the negative comments about Diana Ross. But since I wasn't raised around her or haven't spent any time with her, I don't know.
Posted by: Ravenback | 01 July 2009 at 17:26
Say what you want, Diana Ross is quite a good mother, and worked for her career & raised her children at the same time. People are such...just, ugh. Lol.
But good for MJ, hopefully his wishes will be honored.-QH
Posted by: QH | 01 July 2009 at 17:34
Kmark, my comments were about Diana Ross' kids not herself. Say whatever, she did manage to raise five of them without much scandal. Yeah, she had help, but no more than any other celebrity or rich person. And, I agree with Freeleo, Michael probably chose her because he knows his daddy Joe and some members of his family and also know that Diana Ross is no pushover. Does anyone really believe anyone walks over or manipulates Diana Ross? Sometimes, it pays to to be a B*tch!
Posted by: mjolnir202 | 01 July 2009 at 18:34
The arrogance of some commenters! How in the shady hell would Grambling State know if Diana Ross wanted to rear children? She had FIVE. If she didn't want any she could have prevented them from coming here. This on-going hate- fest of Ross by people who are small minded and stupid enough to believe the fodder for gossip columns is disgusting. By all accounts she has been a fabulous parent.
HIs selection of her after his mother speaks of his respect for her as a person and his feelings about her as an individual. She may or may not be willing or able.
THe ignorant posters who beleive they know how Ross reared her children are foolish. You don't know WHAT she did and to quote my grandmother probably haven't raised chick nor child. or even a thriving houseplant. The children uniformly praise their mother. I'd take their word over your suppositions any ol' day.
Posted by: Cindy Birdsong the Good Supreme | 01 July 2009 at 19:01
You'd better work it out Cindy Birdsong and educate these young'ns!
Miss Diana Ross raised her children without scandal drama. The Ross children give their mother RAVE reviews. They are all sucessful and accomplished!
**raising my glass to Cindy Birdsong and mjolnir202**
Posted by: Former COGIC | 01 July 2009 at 19:18
Rod...your blog is dripping with contempt for Mr. Joe Jackson...He raised and motivated his children to super stardom!!
Without them he would be nothing!!!
Try that on for size!!!
Posted by: Jackson 5 Forever | 01 July 2009 at 19:41
I have to say, Cindy Birdsong's comment gave fierce snap!
Posted by: Honut SInti | 01 July 2009 at 19:51
Bravo Cindy!!
Posted by: Isis | 01 July 2009 at 23:39
"...or even a thriving houseplant."
LOL !
Posted by: Jim | 02 July 2009 at 00:58
quincy jones is just the 1st to confirm that mj did not have vitiligo!!!
lisa was actually the 1st to do so
http://men.style.com/details/features/landing?id=content_9937
Posted by: alicia banks | 02 July 2009 at 15:06
because mj's business was to be a poster child for white supremacy that has poisoned the minds of millions of demented black kids!!!!
Posted by: alicia banks | 02 July 2009 at 16:21