Michael Jackson's Will Revealed!

Access Hollywood - July 1, 2009 6:41 PM PDT
Story photo: Michael Jackson's Will Revealed!Michael Jackson leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse after the defense rested its case in his child molestation trial in Santa Maria on May 25, 2005 Getty ImagesAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Michael Jackson's 2002 will has finally been revealed.

In the document, dated July 7, 2002, the pop superstar named his mother, Katherine Jackson, as the guardian of his three children - Prince Michael, 12; Paris Michael Katherine, 11; and Prince Michael II, 7.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood Remembers Michael Jackson

Should his mother not be able to care for the children, Jackson named a fellow music superstar as the next in line to have custody of his kids.

"If Katherine Jackson fails to survive me, or is unable or unwilling to act as guardian, I nominate Diana Ross as guardian of the persons and estates of such minor children," the will, signed by Michael Joseph Jackson, stated.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Michael Jackson In The Media

Ross was a lifelong friend of the star and helped launched the career of the Jackson 5.

(CLICK HERE to view Michael Jackson's complete will)

When it comes to the King of Pop's financial assets, which were estimated at the time to be worth more than $500 million, Jackson left his entire estate to the Michael Jackson Family Trust.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon

"All such assets shall be held, managed and distributed as part of said Trust," he noted in the will.

According to the will, Jackson's estate consisted largely of "non-cash, non-liquid assets, including primarily an interest in a catalog of music royalty rights which is currently being administered by Sony ATV, and the interests of various entities."

One of Jackson's most lucrative assets is his stake in the Sony-ATV Music Publishing Catalog, which includes music by such acts as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Lady Gaga and The Jonas Brothers - the catalog is estimated to be worth approximately $2 billion.

While the Trust appears to include Jackson's children, according to an attachment to the document, it appears ex-wife Debbie Rowe is not included in the Trust.

"Except as otherwise provided in this will or in the trust referred to in Article III hereof, I have intentionally omitted to provide for my heirs," the will continued. "I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Rowe Jackson."

On the attachment, Jackson's three children, along with his mother and the three named co-executors of his estate - attorney John Branca, family friend John McClain and Barry Siegel - are all designated as members of the Michael Jackson Family Trust.

There is no mention of his father, Joe, or the star's siblings.

"The most important element of Michael's will is his unwavering desire that his mother, Katherine, become the legal guardian for his three children. As we work to carry out Michael's instructions to safeguard both the future of his children as well as the remarkable legacy he left us as an artist we ask that all matters involving his estate be handled with the dignity and the respect that Michael and his family deserve," estate co-executors Branca and McClain said in a joint statement.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Is Michael Jackson The Biological Father Of His Children? (June 30, 2009)
PLAY IT NOW: What Kind Of Shape Was Michael Jackson Really In? (June 30, 2009)

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Michael Jackson - Music - TV One - Debbie Rowe - Joe Jackson

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comments 1-10 of 30  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Techna
    What kind of 'Grown Man' leaves everything to his Mother!?!? Truly understood but, not a rational, clear thought process.
    report abuseposted August 14, 2009 11:38 AM PDT
  • delym
    SHUT THE F#$K UP LUCILLE BALL.
    report abuseposted July 2, 2009 2:02 AM PDT
  • delym
    it'sme,girl u hit it right on lucy mae head,there are all kinds of cartoon pages she can go to,snow white and the 7th drawf,i think that they have a site too.u can have a "THRILLER" on the play station,or maybe u need to learn your "ABC,s it's easy as 123 .are u can go catch u a "BUTTERFLY" tonight,u dig already?
    report abuseposted July 2, 2009 1:43 AM PDT
  • betty
    MICHAEL IS ONLY A CELEBRITY IN THE MINDS OF SIMPLE....PATHETIC LOSERS....THAT HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR!!!!!!!
    report abuseposted July 1, 2009 11:15 PM PDT
  • Justine M
    Gotta love people. Lucy, you are what's wrong with the world. So much hate in your heart. It must suck to be so angry all the time. Go scream in a pillow. Take up kickboxing... something, just so you don't need to vent anger on a celebrity news website. Thanks though, you made me appreciate my life even more, since I'm one of those fortunate enough to have rid my life of
    report abuseposted July 1, 2009 9:58 PM PDT
  • betty
    BURY THE FREAK AND GET IT OVER WITH!!!
    report abuseposted July 1, 2009 8:52 PM PDT
  • betty
    MICHAEL IS ONLY A CELEBRITY IN THE MINDS OF SIMPLE....PATHETIC LOSERS....THAT HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR!!!!!!!
    report abuseposted July 1, 2009 8:51 PM PDT
  • BRENDA P
    Lucy, why are you so angry? Are you not really "Lucy", but someone that has a personal things against MJ? I've just never really heard a person so angry, so bitter, so harsh about someone - especially someone who has passed away - as you have been over MJ. I hope a better life for you.
    report abuseposted July 1, 2009 8:51 PM PDT
  • betty
    MICHAEL IS ONLY A CELEBRITY IN THE MINDS OF SIMPLE....PATHETIC LOSERS....THAT HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR!!!!!!!
    report abuseposted July 1, 2009 8:50 PM PDT
  • betty
    MICHAEL IS ONLY A CELEBRITY IN THE MINDS OF SIMPLE....PATHETIC LOSERS....THAT HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR!!!!!!!
    report abuseposted July 1, 2009 8:50 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 30  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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