Michael Jackson’s children grew up as some of the most photographed kids in the world, yet almost nobody saw their faces until 2009. Prince, Paris and Bigi Jackson are now adults with separate careers in business, music, modeling and filmmaking. Each has taken an independent path while carrying the weight of the Jackson name. This guide covers who they are, how they were raised, what happened after their father’s death, and where each sibling stands in 2026.
Michael Jackson’s Children Biography
| Field | Prince Jackson | Paris Jackson | Bigi Jackson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. | Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson | Prince Michael Jackson II |
| Nickname | Prince | Paris | Bigi (formerly Blanket) |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1997 | April 3, 1998 | February 21, 2002 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California | California, U.S. | California, U.S. |
| Age (Nov 2026) | 29 | 28 | 24 |
| Nationality | American | American | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius | Aries | Pisces |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, producer, philanthropist | Singer-songwriter, model, actress | Filmmaker, climate advocate |
| Education | Loyola Marymount University (Business Administration) | The Buckley School | The Buckley School |
| Mother | Debbie Rowe | Debbie Rowe | Undisclosed surrogate |
| Father | Michael Jackson | Michael Jackson | Michael Jackson |
| Grandmother/Guardian | Katherine Jackson | Katherine Jackson | Katherine Jackson |
| Relationship Status | Engaged to Molly Schirmang (August 2025) | Ended engagement to producer Justin Long (2025) | Keeps his private life private |
| Notable Works | Executive producer, Michael (2026) | Wilted (2020), Gringo, American Horror Stories | Short films, movie review content |
Who Are Michael Jackson’s Children?
Michael Jackson had three children: Prince, Paris and Bigi. Prince and Paris were born to Debbie Rowe during her marriage to Michael. Bigi was born in 2002 through an anonymous surrogate. All three were raised by Michael as a single father until his death in June 2009.
Debbie Rowe worked as a dermatology nurse in the office of Michael’s dermatologist, which is where the two met. They married in 1996, shortly before Prince’s birth. The marriage ended in a 1999 divorce that was finalized in 2000. Rowe signed over custody, and Michael became the full-time parent of both older children.
Bigi’s mother has never been identified. Michael confirmed that his youngest son was conceived through artificial insemination with an undisclosed surrogate. That privacy was deliberate. Michael wanted his youngest to grow up without tabloid attention attached to a second parent’s identity.
Birth Dates and Biological Mothers at a Glance
| Child | Birth Name | Born | Biological Mother |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince | Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. | February 13, 1997 | Debbie Rowe |
| Paris | Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson | April 3, 1998 | Debbie Rowe |
| Bigi | Prince Michael Jackson II | February 21, 2002 | Anonymous surrogate |
Paris is roughly 14 months younger than Prince. Bigi is about four years younger than Paris and five years younger than Prince. That gap shaped their childhoods. The older two remember more of their early years at Neverland, while Bigi was only seven when his father died.
Paris has rebuilt her relationship with Debbie Rowe as an adult. The two have appeared together publicly and spoken warmly about each other. Prince has been more reserved about his mother and generally says little about her in public.
The Godparents Behind the Scenes
Prince and Paris have two famous godparents: Macaulay Culkin and Elizabeth Taylor. Both were close friends of Michael and spent time at Neverland Ranch during the children’s early upbringing. They were part of a tight, protective family circle.
Elizabeth Taylor was especially close to Paris and treated her like a goddaughter in every sense. Culkin has stayed in Paris’s life well into adulthood. She has called him one of her closest family figures, and the two have been photographed together over the years.
British actor Mark Lester, another longtime friend of Michael, has also said he was a godparent to the children. His role was less formal, but he was part of the same close family circle during their early years.
Growing Up at Neverland Ranch
The children spent their early years at Neverland Ranch, a 2,700-acre property in Santa Barbara County. It had a Ferris wheel, a carousel, amusement rides and a private zoo. For the kids, this was simply home, not a celebrity theme park.
Michael wanted them to have a normal home life, even though he was one of the most famous men on earth. They were homeschooled by private tutors, which allowed the family to travel during international tours without breaking the children’s education. Learning was unhurried and built around their father’s schedule.
The large grounds gave them room to play away from the media. Relatives like Jackie Jackson visited, and the kids grew up with plenty of family around them. Paris later described those first seven years as the happiest stretch of her childhood.
Why Michael Jackson’s Kids Wore Masks and Veils
In public, the children nearly always had their faces covered. Michael used carnival masks, veils, silk scarves and hats to hide them from cameras. It looked strange to outsiders, but the goal was simple: to keep them from being recognized.
His reasoning was practical. If paparazzi and fans couldn’t identify the kids, they could visit theme parks, stores, theaters, restaurants and camps anonymously. Without masks, any outing would end in crowds. With them, the children could live a mostly private life once the costumes came off.
The mask policy ended almost overnight in July 2009. When the children appeared at their father’s memorial, the world saw their faces clearly for the first time. Few celebrity-family reveals have changed public perception so quickly. People suddenly saw three ordinary, grieving kids.
The most controversial moment came in November 2002, when Michael briefly held baby Bigi over a Berlin hotel balcony to greet fans. The child’s face was covered. Michael later called it a mistake made in the excitement of the moment, and the photo became one of the most widely discussed images of his career.
Michael Jackson as a Hands-On Father
Despite his fame, Michael was deeply involved in daily parenting. In a conversation with writer Mallika Chopra, he described changing diapers and rocking his children to sleep himself. He considered fatherhood the most important role of his life.
Paris shared her own memories in a 2017 Rolling Stone interview. She said her dad rewarded good behavior with outings and taught the kids tolerance and respect for others. She also remembered home comforts like soul food and sweet potato pie.
Michael was also planning a more normal education. Paris said he intended to send them to regular school once they were older. His death in 2009 meant that plan was carried out by the rest of the family instead.
Michael Jackson’s Death and the 2009 Memorial
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at age 50, after a cardiac arrest at his rented Holmby Hills mansion in Los Angeles. He was rehearsing for his “This Is It” comeback concerts at the time. Prince was 12, Paris was 11 and Bigi was just 7.
The public memorial took place at the Staples Center on July 7, 2009. It drew a huge audience worldwide. Near the end of the service, family members gathered on stage with all three children.
Paris stepped to the microphone and delivered a short, emotional speech. Through tears, she said her father had been the best father anyone could imagine and that she loved him very much. It became one of the most-remembered moments of the tribute.
That speech changed how the world saw the Jackson kids. After years of masks and secrecy, the public saw a young girl grieving her dad. Many fans say this moment is when they began following the children’s lives as individuals, not just as Michael’s heirs.
Guardianship, Custody and Schooling After 2009
Michael’s will named his mother, Katherine Jackson, as the children’s guardian. A court made her their permanent guardian in 2009. Debbie Rowe agreed to the arrangement in exchange for visitation rights.
The children moved into the family’s Hayvenhurst compound in Encino. Katherine was in her late 70s at the time, and the household included several relatives. After years of homeschooling, the kids began attending The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, a private school that offered them a structured, regular education.
In 2012, a family dispute led to Katherine briefly being out of contact. The court then appointed her grandson T.J. Jackson, son of Tito Jackson, as co-guardian. T.J. shared joint custody duties with Katherine from then on, and he remained a steady presence for Bigi in particular.
The arrangement held until each child reached adulthood. Prince and Paris have often said their cousin T.J. helped keep their lives stable during their teenage years. Bigi, being the youngest, spent the longest time under that joint guardianship.
Key Legal Events: Conrad Murray and AEG Live
Two major court cases followed Michael’s death. In 2011, his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The jury found that he had given Michael the anesthetic propofol without proper monitoring.
In 2013, the family brought a wrongful death suit against AEG Live, the promoter of the “This Is It” concerts. They sought damages reported at up to $1.5 billion. Prince testified during the trial and described the family’s loss in detail.
The jury found AEG Live not liable. It concluded that the company had hired Murray but that he was not unfit or incompetent for the job he was hired to do. The verdict closed the main legal chapter around Michael’s death, though the children had to relive it in public as teenagers.
Prince Jackson: Business, Philanthropy and Film Production
Prince, the eldest, has built a life focused on business and giving back. He earned a business administration degree from Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles. He has often said that education was something his father wanted for all three children.
His biggest public project is the Heal Los Angeles Foundation, which he co-founded with Bigi. The charity draws its name from Michael’s “Heal the World” message. It focuses on underserved youth in L.A. County through education programs, nutrition support and community work.
Heal LA’s work has included:
- Fighting childhood hunger and food insecurity with meals and nutrition support
- Toy drives for families during the holidays
- Inner-city education and mentoring programs
- Family assistance and meal delivery services during COVID-19
Prince also runs a YouTube channel built around motorcycles. He posts custom bike builds, motorcycle trips and touring vlogs. The travel content shows a more relaxed side of him that fans rarely saw while he was growing up.
On the film side, Prince served as an executive producer on Michael, the 2026 biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua. In his personal life, he announced his engagement to Molly Schirmang in August 2025 after eight years together. The two met at LMU around 2016.
Paris Jackson: Music, Modeling and Acting
Paris is the most publicly visible of the three. She works across music, modeling and acting, and she speaks openly about her personal life. Her style is indie-folk with rock touches, very different from her father’s pop sound.
Her music career began with The Soundflowers, a folk duo she formed with then-partner Gabriel Glenn. She later signed with Republic Records and released her debut album, Wilted, in November 2020. Since then, she has released independent EPs, including The Lost EP, and toured across North America and Europe, including support slots for Incubus.
Modeling came early. Paris landed a Rolling Stone cover in early 2017 and signed with IMG Models that same year. She has walked major fashion shows and worked as an ambassador with beauty brands, including KVD Beauty.
| Year | Project | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Star (TV) | Acting debut |
| 2018 | Gringo | Feature film |
| 2020 | Wilted | Debut album |
| 2021 | American Horror Stories | TV series |
| 2022 | Sex Appeal | Feature film |
Paris is open about her struggles with depression, anxiety and addiction. In 2025, she marked five years of sobriety and has described holistic healing as part of her recovery. She also champions LGBTQ+ causes and mental health awareness. She was engaged to music producer Justin Long in December 2024, but the couple split in July 2025.
Bigi Jackson: Filmmaking and Climate Activism
Bigi is the most private of Michael Jackson’s kids. He rarely gives interviews and has kept a low profile in Calabasas and Los Angeles. His interests center on cinema and climate action.
He is a serious film fan. He has written short films and runs a YouTube channel focused on movie reviews, where he digs into everything from screenwriting choices to comic book lore. People close to him describe a thoughtful, detail-oriented young filmmaker working independently.
In a rare 2021 TV appearance, Bigi spoke about climate change and why it matters to his generation. Climate awareness is the one public cause he regularly speaks about. He has also stayed involved with Prince through the Heal Los Angeles Foundation.
Bigi stays close to his cousins, including Taj Jackson, and to his grandmother Katherine. In 2026, his legal team even tried to help settle Paris’s dispute with the estate. That suggests a quiet role as a peacemaker inside the family.
Why Blanket Became Bigi
Bigi was known as “Blanket” for most of his childhood. The nickname drew teasing and bullying at school, especially once he entered high school. Around 2015, he started going by “Bigi” instead.
The change was about privacy and identity. “Blanket” had become a tabloid punchline, and Bigi wanted a name that felt like his own. His legal name, Prince Michael Jackson II, stayed the same.
Legacy, Public Appearances and the ‘Michael’ Biopic
The siblings have played active roles in protecting their father’s legacy since they were children. In 2010, Prince and Paris accepted Michael’s Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on stage. It was one of their first public appearances after the memorial.
Joint appearances have become rarer but more meaningful. In March 2024, all three attended the press night of MJ: The Musical in London. They have also supported the annual Thriller Night charity costume party, as well as Cirque du Soleil’s ONE show in Las Vegas.
The Michael biopic, released in April 2026, became a major family milestone. It stars their cousin Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine, as the King of Pop. The film opened to around $217 million worldwide, then became the first biopic ever to pass $1 billion at the global box office.
The siblings held different views on the film. Prince consulted on the story and served as executive producer. Paris was openly critical of parts of the production and called some of it “fantasy land.” Those differences show three adults with independent opinions, not a single family voice.
Paris Jackson’s Legal Dispute With the Estate
Paris has been in a long legal dispute with the estate’s executors, John Branca and John McClain. Her main complaints are about financial transparency: executor fees, legal costs and bonus payments to outside law firms.
In early 2026, the estate won an anti-SLAPP motion against one of her petitions and sought more than $115,000 in legal fees from her. In February 2026, Paris filed a brief opposing the fee demand and called it a waste of estate resources.
In May 2026, a judge sided with Paris on a separate point and ordered about $625,000 in 2018 bonus payments returned to the estate. In October 2026, she filed again to cut Branca’s management compensation. The executors deny wrongdoing and say she has received more than $65 million from the estate. As of November 2026, the case is still ongoing.
Navigating Scandals, Allegations and the Jackson Family Legacy
The children grew up alongside serious allegations against their father. Michael was acquitted of all charges in his 2005 criminal trial. Later claims, including those in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, revived the debate years after his death.
As adults, Prince and Paris have publicly defended their father. They describe the man they knew at home, which is very different from the person in tabloid headlines. Bigi has largely stayed silent, which fits his private profile.
The siblings have handled this responsibly. They avoid public arguments with accusers and focus instead on their father’s creative legacy and charity work. That approach lets them honor his music without getting pulled into every new rumor.
They have also shown a united front at the moments that matter most, even with internal disagreements. From the legal battles over their father’s death to the biopic premiere, they have managed the family legacy as three adults with separate careers and lives.
FAQs
How old are Michael Jackson’s kids in 2026?
As of November 2026, Prince is 29, Paris is 28 and Bigi is 24. Prince turns 30 in February 2027, and Bigi turns 25 the same month. Paris’s next birthday is in April.
Who inherited Michael Jackson’s estate?
Michael’s will placed his assets in a family trust. Under that trust, 40% goes to his three children, 40% to his mother Katherine and 20% to charities. The children are expected to receive their grandmother’s share after her passing.
Are any of Michael Jackson’s children married?
None of the three is married yet. Prince has been engaged to Molly Schirmang since August 2025. Paris’s engagement to Justin Long ended in 2025, and Bigi keeps his relationships out of public view.
Are Prince, Paris and Bigi close?
Yes, the siblings remain close despite different personalities and opinions. Prince and Bigi run Heal LA together, and all three still appear together at key family events. Their disagreements, such as over the biopic, have played out respectfully.
Who is Michael Jackson’s youngest child?
Bigi Jackson, born Prince Michael Jackson II on February 21, 2002, is the youngest. He was born through a surrogate whose identity has never been made public. He is also the most private of the three siblings.
Did Michael Jackson’s kids appear in the ‘Michael’ movie?
None of the children acted in the film. Their cousin Jaafar Jackson plays Michael. Prince worked behind the scenes as an executive producer.
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