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Pop star Michael Jackson waves to his fans as he arrives at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse - Source: Reuters -
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Michael Jackson dressed his three children over the years with veils and masks and even famously dangled one from a balcony.
But in the wake of the troubled pop star's sudden death, his protective family has sought to give Prince Michael, 12, Paris Katherine, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7, a sense of normalcy.
Since Jackson, 50, died on Friday after suffering cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home, his family has cared for the children and closely guarded them from the media.
On Monday, the singer's father said in a statement - read by a representative at his side on an awards show red carpet - that he and his wife have sole authority over the King of Pop's children.
The mother of the two oldest children is Deborah Rowe, a former dermatology nurse married to Jackson from 1996 to 1999. The mother of the youngest child, who is also called Blanket and whom Jackson infamously dangled from a Berlin hotel balcony in 2002, has never been identified.
While Rowe has remained quiet about her plans, some legal experts have speculated she could seek custody of her two children and receive financial help from Jackson's estate to raise them.
But Joe Jackson moved quickly to dispel any doubts over his family's resolve to look over the children.
"Michael's children are our first priority," Joe Jackson said in Monday's statement.
"We will have further announcements to discuss our plans going forward. Until such time, however, we have the personal and legal authority to act, and solely Katherine and I have authority for our son and his children."
An attorney for Rowe could not be reached for comment.
Stacy Brown, a Jackson family confidant and co-author of "Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask," told Reuters the children with Rowe have always had minimal contact with their biological mother.
Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader who was with the Jackson family last week, told People magazine the Jackson family was taking good care of the kids.
"I've seen the children," Jackson told People. "They go out in the yard and play with their cousins. Happily playing. They are at the grandparents home, secure and happy."
Jackson in 2005 was tried and acquitted of child molestation against a boy not related to him.
While his parenting skills were often questioned in the media, family friends have described him as a doting father.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentmotukowhai said on 2009-07-08 @ 22:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
"If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then the pain, sorrow, failure and short life would be a calamity; but if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective." Quote by President Spencer W. Kimball. Take your rest now Michael and do so in peace.
Vaai said on 2009-07-08 @ 14:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
REST IN PEACE KING OF THE POP WE LOVE YOU
jaxlino said on 2009-07-08 @ 12:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
the media killed the princess and they did the same thing with Michael, do they have any respect? now Michael can rest and just watch upon his children ..i saw Miss Rowe being pressured by the media and gosh thats how much in your face they are!! they darn right wanna know your business..I know it's their job but they don't need to ruin peoples lives.. michael i have three words for you.. "GO GET EM"
jaxlino said on 2009-07-08 @ 12:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
RIP my friend, and hope you haunt the media stalkers.. they ***** with your life now it's your turn for revenge..sad to say I honestly and personally think he topped himself because of the media on his tail constantly and they let the whole world know his business, we loved his music, his children and his family not his personal indepth life, he was tired and couldn't fight no more, he had a huge debt that no-one gave a toss about, and now hes gone, all the media is like poor michael... whatever!
boyracer said on 2009-07-08 @ 11:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
Some people will always look at the negative side of things! Thats just the way they are. MJ was a VERY talented individual (Not just a singer and dancer), His message is in his songs (which comes from the heart). I was watching the memorial service this morning and thinking to myself how many people he touched on positively and what he means to them. His music will no doubt live on, and people will know in 20+ years who sang his songs!