Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe was seen in public this week in Palmdale, California. The 66-year-old looked very different from her past appearances. She wore a blue button-up shirt, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. Her blonde hair was straight with soft bangs, and she wore dark sunglasses. Michael Jackson’s ex-wife kept a low profile while cashing a check. Then, she got into her custom-built Range Rover Vogue, worth over $200,000. This was one of her rare outings, almost a decade after she overcame breast cancer.
Rowe Stayed Out of the Spotlight Since Her Divorce From Jackson
Debbie Rowe has lived a very private life since her divorce from Michael Jackson in 2000. The couple married in 1996 in a quiet ceremony in Sydney, Australia. At the time, Rowe worked as a nurse. She later became the mother of Jackson’s two oldest children, Prince and Paris. Their marriage lasted only three years. After their divorce, Rowe gave Jackson full custody of the kids. Since then, Michael Jackson’s ex-wife has made very few public appearances.
Paris and Prince Were Raised Without Their Mother
Prince and Paris were raised by Jackson after the split. Their younger brother Bigi, once known as Blanket, was born later through a different surrogate. After Jackson’s sudden death in 2009, Prince and Paris went to live with their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. Paris was just 12 at the time. Years later, she admitted she didn’t fully understand what was happening. She simply followed what others told her to do. She said she felt lost and had little guidance during that time.
Paris Reconnected With Her Mother as a Teenager
Paris reconnected with Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson’s ex-wife, when she turned 15. Since then, they’ve developed a peaceful and friendly bond. In a 2021 interview on Red Table Talk with Willow Smith, Paris called her mother more of a “friend” than a parent. She said their relationship is “very chill,” and that’s what she loves about it. Paris also talked about how similar they are. She enjoys sharing her music with Rowe, especially the songs that include country and folk influences. Rowe, it turns out, loves those styles too.
Rowe Felt Guilt Over Jackson’s Addiction and Death
In 2022, Debbie Rowe made headlines again when she spoke in a documentary called TMZ Investigates: Who Really Killed Michael Jackson. She broke down in tears while talking about the pop star’s death and admitted she felt partly responsible. She worked as a nurse for Dr. Arnold Klein, who treated Jackson for skin problems. Klein also gave Jackson painkillers and cosmetic injections like Botox. Rowe said she regrets not doing more to stop it. She admitted she participated in the problem and said, “I was basically as bad as him.”
Many Believe Others Were Responsible Too
Michael Jackson died at age 50 in 2009. His cause of death was a drug-induced cardiac arrest. His personal doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. But Rowe and others believe the blame doesn’t stop with him. Many people helped Jackson access strong drugs. Rowe said she felt she was part of a system that failed him. Some experts say more people should have been held responsible for his addiction and death.
Jackson’s Name Is Back in Headlines Due to New Documentary
Debbie Rowe’s rare appearance comes as Michael Jackson’s name is back in the news. A new documentary, Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, was recently released. It follows the original Leaving Neverland film from 2019. That first film focused on abuse claims made by James Safechuck and Wade Robson. They said Jackson molested them when they were children. Both claimed the abuse happened at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. The new sequel looks further into the case and more accusations.
Abuse Claims Followed Jackson for Years, But He Was Acquitted
Michael Jackson faced rumors of abuse since the 1990s. These claims affected his image and career. In 2005, he went to trial over similar accusations. But the court found him not guilty. Even after his death, the topic continues to spark debate. Fans remain divided, while new documentaries keep the story alive. Debbie Rowe, who once stayed silent, has now spoken out about many parts of her life with Jackson. From their marriage to his drug use, Michael Jackson’s ex-wife is no longer staying in the background.
