Jackson's former wife will not give up parental rights

Deborah Rowe, former wife of Michael Jackson and biological mother of his two elder children, will not give up her parental rights, nor will she accept any money to do so from the Jackson family, her lawyer said today.

Eric George, who is representing Rowe, made public a letter he sent to the New York Post demanding a retraction. The newspaper reported that Rowe had agreed to relinquish parental rights in return for money.

In the letter, George wrote, “Ms. Rowe has not accepted—and will not accept—any additional financial consideration beyond the spousal support she and Michael Jackson personally agreed to several years ago.”

George said Rowe had not reached an agreement on custody or visitation with the Jackson family. He had said that she would at the minimum seek visitation with the children, if not outright custody.

As the biological mother, Rowe, 50, has a bid for custody, but the courts will decide what arrangement is in the best interests of the Jackson children.

The late pop icon named his mother, Katherine Jackson, 79, as guardian, and failing that, entertainer Diana Ross, 65.

Courts consider the wishes of the deceased but are not bound by them in guardianship cases.

-- Maura Dolan

Comments

[BusterLhode]

Why would she? $4 million is a lot less than $400 million.

[Surf]

So she has not had any relationship with the children, but now all of a sudden she wants to be their mother? It doesn't add up and smells like she grubbing for more money. This certainly doesn't seem like she has the children's best interest. She was a surrogate mother, end of story. She's already been paid for her biological services.

[CaliMJFan]

I for one, am totally behind Debbie Rowe. (Just a MJ fan, without blinders and an open mind).

I think the Jackson family and the media have taken advantage of the situation with Debbie Rowe, who by all accounts is bound by a confidentiality agreement.

From everything I've read from people who at least do a bit more homework. have shown that she has really **not** asked for more money while MJ was alive but in fact, took him to court when he stopped making payments.

I'm also sure that MJ had something to do with her 'giving up' her rights as well as MJ not allowing the children to know she's their mother. Doesn't anyone remember what has been said, Michael told Blanket (I think it was), some children have a mother and a father, and you just have a father.

I think the media should take that into consideration in further comments about her as well as make sure they have hard proof of their statements going forward. She didn't ask to be in the spotlight-- the father of her children, her former husband, died and the game changed.

Give her a break and at least the benefit of the doubt.

Debbie if you read this, there are many of us behind you. Stay strong and we're all sending you our support! Bless you. No one knows the pain you're in.

[TEENEY]

SHE NEEDS TO LEAVE THE CHILDREN ALONE. SHE IS GOING TO RUIN ALL THREE OF THEM BY TAKING/TRYING TO TAKE "HER" KIDS AWAY FROM THEIR LITTLE BROTHER. IF SHE IS ANY KIND OF WOMAN SHE WILL AGREE TO LEAVE THEM WITH THEIR GRANDMOTHER. THAT KNUCKLEHEAD GRANDFATHER WILL NOT HURT THOSE KIDS WITH EVERYONE WATCHING.

[Ken]

There is a major poll running over at www.tinyurl.com/evilgood as to whether Michael Jackson was good or evil. Evil is currently in the lead! I think this poll is being recorded in some sort of record book, anyways, everybody go vote for good!!

[Georgina Ylag]

I personally agree with Ms. Rowe i am a mother of 2 children. They deserve to be with their Mom, if both parents are gone then immediate relatives can take over.

Our support and prayers that the US court will eventually make a fair decision on this trial. A parent is a parent no matter what.....

[joselyn]

I would like to see Katherine Jackson raise the children, just because you have a baby that don't qualify you as a mother, their is no amount of money worth giving your children up. I am looking at this as a parent of two children.
Even After receiving money from Michael it would have been great if she played a part in their life so the children would at least know that she is their mother.
I would like to see the COURTS keep All THREE KIDS together.
My Question for DEBBIE Rowe are you trying so hard now for money?
KATHERINE HAS BEEN THERE FOR THE CHILDREN ALLOW HER TO RAISE THE CHILDREN.

[Maris Cameron]

She 's a golddigger. She hope to get more money from the childeren. She have selling her kids for money, if she means MJ is not the biology father, than she is also a swindler and a thief, because she has make MJ believe the children was his, and he pay a lot of money to her..

[Real Talk]

Debbie Rowe is the same as Joe Jackson. She is a deadbeat mom! If those kids should go to her they should go to Joe as well. They both did the same thing to their children living off of their children's fame and fortune. You hypocrites should get pass your bias, and admit she belongs in the same category as Michael's father. She did the same thing he did in a different way.