Michael Jackson’s Kids Embroiled in Million-Dollar Legal War With Their Grandma: ‘They Don’t Speak’

Katherine Jackson, the mother of Michael Jackson, took in his three children, Bigi, Prince and Paris, after he died in 2009. Bigi, formerly Blanket Jackson, 15 years after losing his father, is now in a legal battle with his grandmother. Katherine, wants Michael’s estate to pay reportedly $500,000 in legal fees she accumulated when challenging executors’ decision to sell half of the King of Pop’s $1.2 billion publishing and recorded masters catalog to Sony Music Group. 

Michael Jackson’s three children have supported the sale of their father’s catalog since the beginning and the estate Katherine is requesting her legal fees be paid out of was created to benefit Michael’s children. Even though the selling of the catalog will benefit her grandchildren, Katherine continues to fight it. Initially, Bigi supported the Jackson family matriarch in challenging a decision by the estate’s co-executors to sell half of Michael’s catalog for $600 million. However, after a judge approved the deal, Bigi, Paris, and Prince accepted the court’s decision, while Katherine did not and filed an appeal. Katherine’s actions were motivated by her protective nature toward Michael and his legacy, particularly his music.

In December, Katherine requested the estate to cover her legal expenses, which Bigi opposed in March, arguing that it would be unfair to use their resources for Katherine’s fight. Bigi’s lawyers explained that the odds of a successful appeal were slim, leading Bigi to opt out of participating. Katherine countered, arguing that the estate could afford her legal fees. Tensions escalated between the siblings and their grandmother, with communication limited to lawyers, and the possibility of reconciliation seems distant, contrary to what Michael would have wanted.

For more information see Brianna Sainez “Michael Jackson’s Kids Embroiled in Million-Dollar Legal War With Their Grandma: ‘They Don’t Speak’”, Yahoo Entertainment, April 25, 2024.

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Florida Probate Attorney) for bringing this article to my attention.