Debbie Rowe
Gossip

Katherine Jackson, 79, was awarded full, permanent guardianship of Michael Jackson's three children during a custody hearing in Los Angeles this morning.

Here's the hearing blow-by-blow from TMZ, which was on hand for the proceedings this morning. As you can see, everything went down more or less as expected, although there were some odd twists (and a Mark Vincent Kaplan sighting) in there ...

11:56 a.m.: Katherine, Randy and La Toya Jackson arrived and were escorted upstairs to the courtroom. Rebbie Jackson, Michael's older sister, also showed up. Reports suggest that, day to day, she will be the one taking care of Michael's kids.

12:14 p.m.: The judge took the bench, and said that he will be dealing with the guardianship settlement between Katherine Jackson and Debbie Rowe first.

12:17 p.m.: In a strange development, Mark Vincent Kaplan (K-Fed's lawyer) just showed up on behalf of Dr. Arnold Klein. Kaplan says Klein has a "long-standing commitment" to Michael Jackson and has concerns about Joe Jackson being involved.

There are reports Arnold Klein is their biological father, but he hasn't confirmed or denied that, only saying "to the best of his knowledge" he is not.

12:18 p.m.: The judge wanted to know what legal standing Dr. Arnold Klein has, but he ultimately ruled that Klein has no legal standing to lodge an objection, and that Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe are the parents of the children.

Today's players: Arnold Klein, Debbie Rowe and Katherine Jackson.

12:26 p.m.: Debbie Rowe's lawyer, Eric George, just said he won't object to Katherine being appointed temporary guardian, but permanent guardianship could be delayed. Curious, given the supposed settlement between Debbie and Katherine.

12:37 p.m.: The judge named Katherine permanent guardian of all three kids, then granted her a financial allowance for six months. The amount wasn't discussed.

12:40 p.m.: Debbie Rowe will have visitation with her two kids and will continue getting spousal support based on the deal she struck with Michael years ago.

12:42 p.m.: The judge has just granted 83.5 percent of what was requested for the children's allowance. Specific amounts of the allowance were not discussed.

12:55 p.m.: The judge decided on the lesser amount because of concerns about duplicate expenses for the monthly allowance approved for Katherine Jackson.

2:58 p.m.: The judge has ruled that AEG, Michael Jackson's would-be concert promoter, has to provide a copy of their contract with him to Katherine Jackson.

3:00 p.m.: The judge just admitted Michael Jackson's 2002 will into probate. The will names John Branca and John McClain as co-executors. Katherine has an unspecified objection to this. Will she ask that she be named as a third executor?

4:55 p.m.: Katherine Jackson just withdrew her petition asking that she be put in charge of the estate. This petition was filed before she knew a will existed.

5:05 p.m.: Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled that Jackson's longtime attorney Branca and McClain will continue to administer the star's estate until at least October.

Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, will get custody of his three children under terms of a deal that's just been reached, according to reports.

According to reports, Debbie Rowe, the mother of the Michael's eldest two children, Prince Michael I and Paris Jackson, will get visitation, but no cash.

Though he did not go into specifics, Katherine's attorney Londell McMillan said on CBS' The Early Show Thursday: "It's an agreement, an agreement for the best interests of the children. This is not a money deal. This is not about money."

Since the singer's June 25 death, Katherine Jackson, 79, was named the legal guardian and has been in control of Prince, Paris and Michael's third child, Blanket.

Blanket (a.k.a. Prince Michael Jackson II) was born to an unnamed surrogate, though recent tabloid reports have suggested that his biological mother is Pia Bhatti.

That would be the mother of Omer Bhatti, MJ's supposed "secret son."

But back to Debbie Rowe. The singer's ex-wife has sent mixed signals on the subject of whether she wants to be the children's guardian since he passed away.

NBC's Today show reports that under the new deal, Debbie Rowe, who will not receive money, will retain her parental rights but has agreed not to claim custody.

Katherine Jackson will raise Michael Jackson's kids, as he requested. Debbie Rowe will be allowed visitation with Prince Michael and Paris Jackson, her biological children.

NBC also reports that Prince and Paris know Debbie Rowe is their mother, and as a central part of the agreement, they will begin to have a relationship with her. A child psychologist will supervise the process, according to reports.

McMillan said , "We will be making an announcement shortly on that issue, and all the parties are resolved. There is no situation better for these children than for them to be raised and reared in the loving care of Mrs. Katherine Jackson."

He dismissed reports that crazy Joe Jackson shouldn't be involved in raising the star's children. Said McMillan, "I don't think it's valid at all. I think that Joe Jackson is the husband of Mrs. Jackson, but he is not living in Los Angeles."

Katherine Jackson was also left 40 percent of Michael Jackson's estate, whereas Joe and Debbie Rowe were omitted from the will altogether.

Michael appointed his two longtime business partners, John Branca and John McClain, as co-executors. Katherine wants to be included on all future dealings regarding the estate, but denies she is challenging the executors or will.

That's the question people have been asking ever since her ex-husband, the great Michael Jackson, passed away June 25 at the age of 50.

Rowe is mother to two of Michael Jackson's children, Prince and Paris, 12 and 11.

At the singer's memorial service, the children took the stage in one of the only public appearances they've ever made, bringing Rowe (watching at home) to tears. But her relationship with the two kids has barely existed.

In a 2003 interview, Rowe said: "Just because you give birth, because you impregnate someone, that does not automatically give you that title of mother or father."

"My kids don't call me Mom because I don't want them to."

Will the real Debbie Rowe please stand up?

So what does Debbie Rowe, who has said she will attend any custody hearing pertaining to the children (who were entrusted to Michael's mom Katherine Jackson in his last will) want in the wake of the star's tragic death?

"At the end of the day, Debbie just wants what's best for the children," Rowe's close friend and former business partner of Jackson, Marc Schaffel, says.

"Her interest is that the children are going to be taken care of."

Rowe has said since Jackson's death that she is considering asserting her legal, parental rights and filing for custody of the children – including Blanket, 7, who was born to an unnamed surrogate after she divorced Michael.

Living on her ranch in Palmdale, Calif., where she tends to her horses and dogs, Rowe does not seek attention and "is a very simple-living person," Schaffer says. "Does she want to live in a mansion in Beverly Hills? No."

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Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, is suing Rebecca White, a woman who claims to be a close friend of Rowe's, and who went on TV last night saying Rowe made some rather offensive comments relating to custody of Jackson's children.

Rowe is the biological mother (she says) of Prince Michael Jackson, 12, and Paris Jackson, 11. But she has had almost no relationship with them in years.

The last will of Michael Jackson left his children and estate to his mother Katherine Jackson. But Rowe will attend next Monday's hearing to determine custody.

Which brings us to her lawsuit. Rebecca White told Extra she has emails from Debbie Rowe in which she says she is pretending she wants custody to look good:

"Do I want the kids? Hell no. Does it look good for me to ask for them? Absolutely," White claims Rowe wrote. Debbie claims the email is bogus and defamatory.

Debbie Rowe prefers to lay low, but feels she is being defamed by false reports about her and is filing suit against Rebecca White as a result. [Photo: Fame Pictures]

Rowe's lawyer asserts that White serially asserts herself into high-profile celb scandals, claiming to have been a personal assistant to Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss (and making allegations against the models) earlier in this decade.

Finally, according to the suit, Rebecca White emerged after Heath Ledger's death, alleging she saw the late Academy Award winner use cocaine and ecstasy.

Debbie Rowe wants unspecified damages and any money White may have received for her appearance on Extra or on any other celebrity news programs.

As for Rowe's actual custody interest, reliable sources indicate that she wants her pre-determined financial arrangement with Jackson upheld and that's about it.

Numerous publications have reported that she is seeking a huge payout in exchange for not contesting Katherine Jackson's custody. Rowe has denied this.

We just hope all parties agree on what is best for the grieving, adorable children. Click to enlarge older photos of Debbie, Michael, Prince and Paris ...

Despite myriad reports to the contrary - and quoting figures ranging from $3 million to $100 million - Michael Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe isn't seeking a payout from the deceased superstar's family, her attorney says.

Eric George refuted an article in the New York Post that quoted an anonymous source who said that Katherine Jackson paid Debbie Rowe $4 million to solidify a custody agreement in which Rowe would basically back off for good.

George's letter states unequivocally that:

• Nagreement - legal or financial - exists between Jackson and Rowe
• Debbie Rowe has not relinquished her parental rights with the kids
• The two women have not negotiated any new custody agreement

"It would be easier to identify those few background facts that are accurate than to catalog the number of blatant falsehoods in your story," the letter reads.

Rowe gave birth to Michael Jackson's two elder children, Prince Michael and Paris Jackson, 12 and 11. Blanket, 7, was born to an unnamed surrogate.

Debbie Rowe is not at all pleased with celebrity gossip photographers. Or reports that erroneously say she is out to bilk Michael Jackson's estate. [Photo: Fame Pictures]

Sources close to the case say that instead of a huge payout, all Debbie Rowe wants is assurance that the Jackson family will honor the deal she had with Michael.

Rowe and Jackson struck an agreement in which she was paid a large sum over a period of years after carrying the two children and then divorcing the star.

The agreement stays in effect after hiss death, but Rowe wants assurance the family will abide by the terms. Most likely, the negotiations between the parties center on that pact and whether the family will continue to honor it. Simple as that.

Sources say talks do not involve anything beyond what Rowe would receive under the existing agreement and she will not fight for custody.

Just a few hours ago, we reported on a serious of stories claiming something to the effect of a deal being offered to Debbie Rowe by Michael Jackson's family.

The details are not confirmed, but reputable sources claim that the late singer's family would pay Debbie pay her $3-5 million in exchange for Rowe not contesting his mom Katherine Jackson's guardianship and full custody of Michael's children.

Debbie Rowe is the biological mother (probably) of Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Jackson, 11, but she has had little if any contact with them in recent years.

Jackson's will states that Katherine gets full custody of Prince and Paris (along with Blanket, 7) and omitted Rowe, the late star's former spouse, altogether.

Rowe has said she will appear at Monday's custody hearing in L.A. Her intentions are not known ... except, apparently, by the ultra-reliable OK! Magazine.

She wants $100 million or the kids!

Apparently, $3-5 million wasn't good enough for OK! to sell large quantities of magazines, so they decided to boost the figure by $95-97 million. Details.

This headline is comical for numerous reasons, chief among them:

• Having attempted to sign away her parental rights before, and having no relationship with the kids, Debbie Rowe has no grounds for this demand.
• Even if she did seek out a settlement, there is little chance of her receiving even one-tenth that amount, given the singer's debts and obligations.
• Debbie Rowe may or may not be weighing options and hedging bets, but has communicated only through a lawyer. No one knows what she wants.
• OK!'s own blog links to an article in the New York Post claiming Rowe is negotiating a $4 million buyout to give up custody rights forever.

Then again, the magazine's previous cover was the infamous Michael Jackson death photo. So we suppose this actually is a step in the right direction.

According to various reports, Debbie Rowe has been offered at least $3 million from Michael Jackson's family if she does not fight for custody of her two biological children with the late music icon, Prince Michael and Paris Jackson, 12 and 11.

"One family member said $3 million, another said $5 million. My guess is that it will be somewhere in between," Jackson family friend Stacy Brown told ABC.

As part of the settlement, Debbie Rowe would get visitation rights to the two kids. Katherine Jackson, the star's mother, will remain the children's legal guardian, as specified in Michael Jackson's last will, written in 2002.

Michael is also father to Prince Michael Jackson II, a.k.a. Blanket, who was born to an unknown surrogate. His parents' identities have never been revealed.

Rowe has not accepted any deal, her attorney says. But numerous reports suggest there are offers on the table and ongoing negotiations.

Another report says the proposed deal would not prevent Michael's father Joe Jackson from seeing the kids, and multiple sources told ABC News that Debbie Rowe is insisting on a clause that prevents him from ever being named guardian.

Debbie Rowe is considering fighting for custody because she felt Katherine was too old to care for them and concern about Joe being around them. [Photo: Fame Pictures]

A custody hearing that had been scheduled for yesterday was recently postponed until July 20. Rowe's attorney says she will attend the hearing.

The New York Post, which reported that Debbie Rowe was to receive about $4 million in a settlement, says the proposed agreement "takes away any rights she has to challenge custody at any given time... this would be it."

It wouldn't be the first time Rowe - who insists she is the biological parents of Paris and Prince despite reports circulating that she is not their mother - was paid for for giving up custody of the children she had with her ex-husband.

In a 2005 hearing - around when Jackson was acquitted on molestation charges - his lawyer says Rowe got "about $4 or $5 million up front," and a mansion in Beverly Hills, plus $900,000 a year for a number of years if she abided by the terms.

ABC says child welfare officials recently interviewed the children at Katherine Jackson's Encino, Calif. home, which is standard in cases such as this.

Debbie Rowe, the ex-wife and biological mother to two of Michael Jackson's three children, has kept a low profile since the icon's death on June 25.

But now that a hearing has been scheduled at Los Angeles Superior Court July 20 for temporary guardianship of the children, Rowe will be seen.

"[Debbie] says that she will definitely be at the custody hearing," says Marc Schaffel, a business partner of Jackson's and a close friend of Rowe's.

Rowe's children – Prince Michael and Paris Jackson, 12 and 11 – have been staying with their grandmother Katherine Jackson at her Encino, Calif., home since the star singer's death, along with Blanket (Prince Michael Jackson II), 7.

Jackson's youngest child was born from an unidentified surrogate.

Debbie Rowe is hounded by photographers. [Photo: Fame Pictures]

While Debbie Rowe famously tried to give up parental rights to Prince Michael and Paris - and still to this day extols Michael Jackson's virtues as a father - her lawyer says she will fight for custody now. Whether she'll get it is unclear.

Katherine Jackson was named guardian in Jackson’s will, which was revealed last week, and is petitioning the court to keep the children with her.

Neither party is required to appear personally in court, officials say.

What do you think? Should Debbie Rowe get custody?

Older, never-before-seen pictures of Michael Jackson at home with his two older children, Prince Michael and Paris Jackson, have just been published by OK!

To sum them up in a word: Awww! It's so sad that their father is gone, and our hearts go out to these adorable children and their younger sibling Blanket.

The King of Pop was a music icon and a deeply troubled individual in many ways, but he was without a doubt a loving dad, and the children his top priority.

Paris Jackson's speech about him at his memorial service Tuesday said it all.

Click to enlarge the pictures below, showing MJ at Neverland, celebrating Prince's birthday in 2003, and posing with Debbie Rowe and baby Paris in 1998:

[Photos: OK! Magazine]

Debbie Rowe says she will likely fight for custody of Prince Michael I, 12, and Paris Jackson, 11 - her two children with Michael Jackson - at a July 13 hearing.

But six years ago, Rowe said she never wanted to be a mother.

"Parenting is an art; you earn it," Rowe said. "Because you give birth and impregnate someone does not automatically give you the title of mother or father."

"You have to earn that title. My kids don’t call me mom because I don’t want them to," she went on. "They are Michael’s children. It’s not that they are not my children, but I had them because I wanted him to be a father."

After she and Michael Jackson divorced in 1999 after three years of marriage, Debbie agreed to give up her parental rights, insisting he was a good father.

Debbie Rowe also lambasted critics who claimed she abandoned her kids.

"They say, 'I can't believe she left her children.' Left them? I did not leave my children. My children are with their father where they are supposed to be."

Asked why the children are not with her, she said, "I didn't do it to be a mother. Like I said, you earn that title. I did not change diapers. I didn’t get up in the middle of the night - even when I was there. Michael did it all."

"I am telling you that he is the most brilliant father. Almost before the baby needed something, he knew what it was. And that's not for me."

Rowe - who insists she is the biological mother of Prince and Paris Jackson - added that she never wanted children before she wed Michael.

"If it hadn't been for how much I love him and because of our relationship, I would never have had children," she said. "And how spoiled am I? I get to go through the whole experience with a loving, caring person. I'm the one who feels selfish."

Click to enlarge more Debbie Rowe pictures through the years ...

[Photos: Fame Pictures]