Michael Jackson’s impact on the world as a singer, songwriter, dancer, and entertainer was truly unforgettable, earning him the well-deserved title of “The King of Pop.” However, MJ was not only an iconic figure but also a family man. Throughout his career, he had three children with two women before his tragic death 11 years ago.
His youngest son, Bigi Jackson, reached the milestone of turning 18 years old in 2020 and has recently been actively engaging with different social media platforms. When you look at new pictures of Michael’s third child, you can undoubtedly see some striking similarities with the famous pop icon.
During Michael Jackson’s lifetime, the tabloids extensively covered his private life, marriages, and children, leading to numerous speculations. The press often questioned the paternity of MJ’s children and speculated about the identity of their mothers.
Reflecting on Michael’s relationships, it is not surprising that the media sought answers. Michael Jackson first encountered his first wife, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1974 when he was just 16 years old. It was Elvis Presley, Lisa’s father, who introduced them to each other at a Las Vegas hotel. At the time, Lisa was only six years old but was an avid fan of the Jackson 5, particularly fond of the young Michael.
However, it took 18 years before the couple crossed paths again at a dinner hosted by artist Brett-Livingstone Strong. They rekindled their connection and began talking on the phone daily. Michael and Lisa shared many similarities, including their complicated relationships with the outside world. Both had been celebrities since childhood and had been shielded from the realities of everyday life.
Despite Lisa being married to actor Danny Keough and having two children with him, her relationship with Michael deepened. During one of their phone conversations, Michael asked Lisa if she would marry him, to which she enthusiastically agreed. Lisa subsequently divorced Danny, and just 20 days after the finalization of her divorce, she and Michael tied the knot in 1994 in a ceremony in the Dominican Republic. Their wedding received significant attention, with one newspaper even labeling it “The Marriage of the Century.”
However, their marriage quickly became tumultuous as Lisa Marie refused to have children with Michael. She believed he was too immature to be a father and couldn’t envision a future together. In contrast, Michael longed to become a father and, according to J. Randy Taraborrelli’s book “Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness,” he proposed the idea of having children with his friend Debbie Rowe if Lisa Marie wouldn’t agree. Reportedly, Lisa was open to this arrangement, and although they officially divorced in 1996, they continued dating on and off for four more years.
Throughout his marriage to Lisa Presley, another woman played a significant role in Michael’s life—Debbie Rowe. Michael and Debbie had met in the mid-1980s when she worked as an assistant for his dermatologist, helping him with his vitiligo treatment. Their friendship gradually evolved into a romantic relationship. Michael and Debbie got married in 1996, and they became parents to two of Jackson’s three children. In 1997, Debbie gave birth to Michael Joseph “Prince” Jackson Jr., and one year later, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson arrived.
The parenting dynamic between Michael and Debbie was unusual, with Debbie acting more as a surrogate mother, while Michael desired to raise the children primarily on his own at Neverland Ranch. Debbie visited her kids sporadically to avoid becoming too attached. In an interview with Martin Bashir, Debbie explained that her children didn’t call her “Mom” because she wanted them to view Michael as their primary parent. She clarified that her decision was not abandonment but rather to ensure that her children were with their father, where they belonged. If Michael had asked her to have more children, she would have willingly done so. Nevertheless, the arrangement took its toll on Debbie, and she filed for divorce in 1999. In the divorce settlement, she granted Michael full custody of their children, although they remained friends.
In February 2002, Michael Jackson’s third child was born. While he was named Prince Michael Jackson II, he soon became known as “Blanket” due to his face always being covered with a blanket in public. However, Michael saw beauty in the nickname, considering a blanket as a symbol of love and care.
“Blanket” gained worldwide attention when Michael briefly held him over a hotel balcony railing in Berlin, causing controversy and concern for the baby’s safety. Michael later expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging that he got carried away in the moment.
The identity of Bigi Jackson’s mother remains unknown. Speculation has surrounded Debbie Rowe, but she vehemently denied being the biological mother of Prince Michael II. Michael himself stated that the child was conceived through artificial insemination, and he was unaware of the mother’s identity.
In 2015, Prince Michael II decided to be called Bigi instead, marking an important step for him as he had faced teasing due to his former nickname. When his father passed away in 2009 at the age of 50 due to cardiac arrest, Bigi was just seven years old. He was subsequently raised by his grandmother Katherine Jackson, with support from his cousin TJ Jackson.
Today, Bigi resides in Calabasas, California, in an exclusive gated community. He lives in a mansion neighboring celebrities such as Dr. Dre and John Travolta. The 18-year-old attends Buckley School, a private institution in Sherman Oaks, California, where he focuses on his studies. He has also developed an interest in karate and enjoys spending time with his numerous cousins.
Bigi has generally tried to stay out of the spotlight, but he occasionally appears at public events. For example, he attended his older brother Prince’s graduation from Loyola Marymount University in May 2019. Additionally, Bigi has created a YouTube channel called “Film Family” alongside his brother Prince. The channel, which currently has 35,000 followers and a few uploaded clips, features movie reviews. Perhaps we will witness more of Bigi in the future.
It is evident that Bigi has inherited many physical traits from his father, bearing a striking resemblance to Michael with his long black curls. He also shares his father’s affinity for comic books and superheroes, often spotted wearing t-shirts featuring characters from Marvel’s Avengers.
Growing up with a famous parent can be incredibly challenging, and Bigi is likely no exception. The world watched him navigate a difficult grieving process under the scrutiny of cameras. However, based on current knowledge, Bigi appears to be enjoying his life and engaging in typical teenage activities, which is a positive sign.
Let us hope that he continues to find happiness and fulfillment, regardless of the path he chooses to pursue in the future.
