Originally appeared on E! Online
When Michael Jackson welcomed two children with Debbie Rowe, first Prince Jackson in 1997 and then Paris Jackson in 1998, suffice it to say the world was a bit intrigued by the inner workings of their unusual family.
Jackson and Rowe, a nurse who worked for the “Thriller” artist’s longtime plastic surgeon Dr. Arnold Klein, had quietly tied the knot in Australia on Nov. 15, 1996, 10 days after Jackson announced Rowe was sixth months pregnant—and just three months after his divorce from Lisa Marie Presley was finalized.
Mom of four Presley, who died in 2023, told Playboy in 2003 that Jackson had really wanted to have kids with her, but she was reluctant—”all I could ever see was a custody battle nightmare”—and Rowe “had a crush on him and offered to have his babies.”
Jackson’s second marriage ultimately didn’t last, and he got full custody of Prince and Paris when he and Rowe divorced in 2000. (Bigi Jackson, the artist’s third child, was born in 2002 via still-anonymous surrogate.)
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Rowe subsequently gave up her parental rights entirely, saying during court proceedings in 2001 that, even if Jackson was no longer living, she didn’t want to interfere with Prince and Paris’ upbringing.
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“Michael has been a wonderful father to the children,” she stated in an October 2001 motion, per CBS News, “and I do not wish to share parenting responsibilities with Michael because he is doing so well without me.”
Rowe accepted $8.5 million from Jackson and eventually settled down on a horse ranch in Palmdale, Calif.
However, she moved to reinstate her parental rights after Jackson was charged with child molestation in 2003 (he was acquitted on all counts in 2005) and had a supervised visit with Prince and Paris after the trial. In 2006, an appellate court ruled that a judge hadn’t properly overseen the process of Rowe relinquishing her rights, opening the door to the possibility of a new custody arrangement and visitation.
All of which happened at a time when Prince and Paris were barely cognizant of her existence.
Graham Macindoe/Getty Images, Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
“When I was really, really young, my mom didn’t exist,” Paris told Rolling Stone in 2017. Not until she was about 10, having realized “a man can’t birth a child,” did she finally ask her dad who her mother was.
“I was like, ‘What’s her name?’ And he’s just like, ‘Debbie,'” Paris recalled. “And I was like, ‘OK, well, I know the name.'”
She was 11 when Jackson died in 2009—leaving her, Prince and Bigi (then known as Blanket) in the care of their grandmother Katherine Jackson—and a couple of years later she started researching her mom.
All three siblings leaned into the support of the sprawling Jackson family. But Paris—with Katherine’s support— reconnected with Rowe when she was 15 and has held her close ever since.
In his only comment on the subject, Prince, 29, told Rolling Stone that Paris “needed a mother figure” at the time.
But Paris, 28, has acknowledged that, since she spent so many years without Rowe, she never considered her mother’s renewed presence in her life to be “a ‘mommy’ thing,” explaining, “It’s more of an adult relationship.”
All three siblings leaned into the support of the sprawling Jackson family. But Paris—with Katherine’s support— reconnected with Rowe when she was 15 and has held her close ever since.
In his only comment on the subject, Prince, 29, told Rolling Stone that Paris “needed a mother figure” at the time.
But Paris, 28, has acknowledged that, since she spent so many years without Rowe, she never considered her mother’s renewed presence in her life to be “a ‘mommy’ thing,” explaining, “It’s more of an adult relationship.”
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They’ve mostly kept their comings and goings private, but Paris has celebrated certain milestones publicly, such as when Rowe finished chemo for breast cancer in January 2018. Paris posted a photo on Instagram captioned, “my badass mom, kickin butt n takin names. ain’t she f–kin fabulous????”
Watching Rowe fight cancer, Paris admittedly saw herself, noting to Rolling Stone, “We’re both very stubborn.”
Yet that wasn’t all they had in common.
“It’s just cool having her as a friend,” Paris said on Red Table Talk in 2021. “It’s cool, getting to know her, seeing how similar we are, getting into what kind of music she really likes. She really likes country and folk, so I sent her some of the stuff I’m working on.”
And not least, the singer-songwriter added, “We look a lot alike.”
That’s only become more apparent, with Paris doing some internet-breaking with her latest tribute.
Paris Jackson/Instagram
“Happy mothers day to the lady they used for my template during the cloning process,” she wrote on Instagram Stories alongside photos in which the resemblance between mom and daughter is undeniable.
In the rarest of comments about their relationship, Rowe said in 2018 that Paris had been her “rock” during cancer treatment.
“She’s amazing,” Rowe told Entertainment Tonight. “She’s been with me the whole time. She was there. First phone call, took her 30 seconds [to reach out] when she found out.”
Rowe emphasized, “I can’t tell you how much I love her. We go for sushi, we talk about music, and we text all the time.”
And in addition to time on the ranch everything else they continue to enjoy together, as Paris’ most recent crop of photos plainly show, they share a smile.
But while Paris’ bond with her mom is singular, no one gets what being Michael Jackson’s kid is like the way her siblings do. See Paris, Prince and Bigi through the years:
Thriller Night
Michael Jackson‘s eldest son Prince Jackson (second from left) joined uncle Marlon Jackson, cousin Jaafar Jackson and his dad’s siblings Jackie Jackson, La Toya Jackson and Jermaine Jackson at the April 20, 2026 premiere of Michael in Los Angeles.
Not alone
Bigi Jackson (second from right) was here with older brother Prince and uncles Marlon and Jackie at Michael’s April 10, 2026 showing in Berlin.
The Way She Makes Him Feel
Molly Schirmang is very much Prince’s lover. Announcing their engagement in August 2025, Prince reflected on their eight years together. “Molly and I have spent a lot of time together and made incredible memories,” he wrote on Instagram. “We’ve traveled the world, graduated and grown so much together. I’m excited for this next chapter in our lives as we continue to grow and make great memories.”
Rare Red Carpet Appearance
Paris Jackson joined brothers Prince and Bigi at the opening night of MJ: The Musical in March 2024.
Winning Moves
After making his directorial and screenwriting debut with his short film Rochelles, Bigi turned up to the Santa Monica Film Festival in February 2024 with brother Prince and some friends to accept the award for Best Drama.
Happy Halloween
Prince and Bigi appeared at their family’s annual Thriller Night celebration in 2022.
Diamond Birthday Celebration
Prince and Paris attended the August 2018 Michael Jackson Diamond Birthday Celebration at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
All Glammed Up
Prince and Paris made it a family night out at the 2022 Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala at Los Angeles’ Beverly Hilton in August 2022.
Brother & Sister
Proving he’s always in her heart, Paris appeared with Prince in a 2021 YouTube video.
Brothers’ Night Out
Jackson brothers, assemble. A hockey jersey-clad Prince and Bigi (in a Captain America shirt) attended the family’s annual Thriller Night celebration in 2019.
Strike a Pose
A costumed Paris and Prince posed at his October 2017 costume party at the Jackson family estate.
Sibling Love
Walking hand-in-hand, Prince and Paris attended the October 2017 mothers2mothers and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Benefit Dinner in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Family Photo
“It was an honor,” Prince wrote on Instagram of attending cousin Siggy Jackson’s September 2017 wedding with Paris.
Step and Repeat
The trio of siblings arrived at the January 2012 Cirque du Soleil production, Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour in Los Angeles.
Hand in Hand
Prince and Paris put their best foot forward at a January 2012 hand and footprint ceremony at Graumann’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.
Honoring Dad
Bigi, Prince and Paris sat together for the ceremony.
Meet the Press
Returning to their dad’s roots, Prince and Paris posed at the August 2012 press conference for the Goin’ Back To Indiana: Can You Feel It tour in Gary, Ind.
Seventh Inning Stretch
During that same trip to Michael’s hometown, Paris and Prince watched the Gary SouthShore RailCats take on the St. Paul Saints.
Remembering Dad
Attending Michael’s July 2009 memorial service at L.A.’s Staples Center, the siblings leaned on one another.
Birthday Tribute
On Aug. 29, 2022 Prince honored his dad’s birthday by sharing a carousel of family photos on Instagram.
Family Memories
“Happy birthday to the greatest!” Prince wrote, recognizing what would have been Michael’s 64th birthday.
Jackson Family
The way he made them feel? “Miss you more and more,” Prince wrote in the 2022 Instagram tribute, “but I love you more and more with each day.”
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