Debbie Rowe is a former nurse and the ex-wife of the late pop icon, Michael Jackson. She is also the mother of two of his children, Prince and Paris. But who is Debbie Rowe, and what is her story? In this article, we will explore the life and times of Debbie Rowe, from her childhood and career to her relationship and divorce with Michael Jackson, and her current status and activities.
Early Life and Career
Debbie Rowe was born on December 6, 1958, in Spokane, Washington, to Barbara Chilcutt and Gordon Rowe. Her father divorced her mother a few weeks before her second birthday. She was raised by her mother, maternal grandmother, and aunts. She has a half-sister named Loretta Scarlett Rowe through her father.
She studied at Hollywood High School, graduating in 1977. Her first husband, Richard Edelman, was a science teacher at the same school, and Rowe had developed a crush on him. They married in 1982 and converted to Judaism. The couple divorced six years later, after filing for bankruptcy.
Rowe then began working as a medical assistant for the Los Angeles-based dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein. She met Michael Jackson at Klein’s office, where he was undergoing treatment for vitiligo, a skin condition that affected his appearance. Rowe, who had been a fan of Jackson since childhood, attended to him during his visits and became his friend.
Marriage and Children with Michael Jackson
After Jackson’s divorce from Lisa Marie Presley in 1996, he was distraught that he might never become a father. Rowe, who had a crush on him, offered to bear his children. Jackson accepted her proposal, and they married on November 14, 1996, in Sydney, Australia. Rowe was pregnant at the time, and gave birth to their first child, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., also known as Prince, on February 13, 1997, in Los Angeles. Their daughter, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, followed on April 3, 1998, in Beverly Hills.
Jackson took full responsibility for raising the children, while Rowe stayed out of the public eye. She later said that she made the decision to provide the children with a normal and stable upbringing away from media scrutiny. She also said that she loved Jackson as a friend, but not as a husband.
Divorce and Custody Battle
Rowe and Jackson divorced in April 2000, and Rowe gave full custody rights of the children to Jackson. She received an $8 million settlement and a house in Beverly Hills, California. She also signed a prenuptial agreement that prevented her from getting an equal share of Jackson’s assets.
In 2001, Rowe went to a private judge to have her parental rights for the two children terminated. She said that she did this to protect the children from the negative effects of a custody dispute. However, in 2004, after Jackson was charged with 10 counts of child abuse, she changed her mind and sought to regain her parental rights. She claimed that she feared that Jackson’s associates and siblings were exposing the children to the teachings of the Nation of Islam, which she opposed as a Jew.
The custody battle was settled out of court in 2006, with Jackson retaining full custody and Rowe getting visitation rights and a $900,000 annual payment. Rowe later said that she regretted giving up her rights, and that she wanted to be more involved in the children’s lives.
Life After Michael Jackson’s Death
After Jackson’s death in 2009, Rowe was devastated and attended his memorial service. She initially supported Jackson’s mother, Katherine, as the guardian of the children, but later expressed her concerns about the influence of Jackson’s siblings on them. She also filed a lawsuit against Klein, alleging that he had defamed her by claiming that he was the biological father of Prince and Paris.
In 2012, Rowe became engaged to music producer Marc Schaffel, who was a former associate of Jackson. They married in 2014, but divorced in 2016. She then married Thomas Carroll, a longtime friend and business partner of Jackson, in 2017.
In 2016, Rowe was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. She received support from her children, who visited her regularly. She also reconciled with Paris, who had been estranged from her for a while. Rowe said that she was grateful for her children and that they gave her strength to fight the disease.
Current Status and Activities
Rowe is currently living in Palmdale, California, where she owns a ranch and breeds horses. She is also involved in various charitable causes, such as cancer awareness and animal welfare. She maintains a low profile and avoids the limelight, preferring to focus on her personal interests and pursuits.
She has a close relationship with her children, who are now adults and pursuing their own careers. Prince is a filmmaker and a philanthropist, while Paris is a model, singer, and actress. Rowe said that she is proud of her children and that they are the best thing that ever happened to her.
Trivia
Here are some interesting facts about Debbie Rowe:
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Da’Naia Jackson |
| Age | 65 (as of 2023) |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | 5’8″ (1.72 meters) |
| Weight | 154 pounds (70 kilograms) |
| Marital Status | Divorced three times |
| Children | Two (Prince and Paris) |
| Grandchild | Prince Michael Jackson II (Blanket or Bigi) |
| Education | High school diploma |
| Hobbies | Horse breeding and show jumping |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Sibling | Half-sister named Loretta Scarlett Rowe |
| Favorite Food | Italian food, with pizza as her favorite dish |
| Net Worth | $25 million (mostly from her divorce settlement) |
| Sex | Female |
| Orientation | Heterosexual |
| Pet | Lola (Labrador retriever) |
| Favorite TV Shows | The Bachelor, Survivor |