Michael Jackson Married a Nurse Who Was a Fan—Now 65, She Once Saddened Users with Her Appearance Amid Breast Cancer

• Michael Jackson’s marriage to a dedicated fan unveiled unexpected aspects of her life.
• She was diagnosed with breast cancer and it evoked deep sympathy from many.
• The woman’s biggest support system was her daughter, whom she had, along with her brother, as a “gift” to the musician.

Michael Jackson’s marriage to a devoted fan-turned-friend intrigued many about her life. Their sudden wedding while she was pregnant with their first child brought her into the public eye.

Jackson first married Lisa Marie Presley, but their union ended after two years. After their split, the global superstar impulsively married a woman who was not in the public eye. It was a peculiar arrangement which hogged headlines for years.

The singer-songwriter met Debbie Rowe, a nurse assistant and divorcee, while she worked at Dr. Arnold Klein’s dermatology office. Over time, Rowe and Jackson got to know each other during his frequent visits for vitiligo treatment.

Together, Dr. Klein and Rowe accompanied Jackson on world tours, leading to a deepening friendship. Rowe even had posters of Jackson in her apartment.

Friends described Rowe as a kind-hearted woman who preferred jeans and T-shirts. She had two dogs: Cuervo, a golden retriever, and Harley, a German shepherd. Mary Colandro, a friend, said, “If anyone has problems, she handles them. She’s a great rescuer.”

Rowe recalled meeting the pop star for the first time, saying, “I go ‘Hi.’ And he goes ‘Hi,’ and I said, ‘You know what? Nobody does what you do better, and nobody does what I do better. Let’s get this over with.’ And he laughed, and we just became friends.”

Jackson married Rowe in November 1996, who was six months pregnant with his first child. They married in a private ceremony in Sydney, Australia, with the star’s eight-year-old nephew acting as the best man.

Despite the secrecy, photos showed Rowe beaming and Jackson placing a tender hand on her belly. Their friendship turned into a deeper bond, and after Jackson’s marriage to Presley ended, Rowe had offered to have children with him.

She surprised her pharmacist friend by telling her she was pregnant. According to the pal, Rowe said she was “doing a favor for a good friend.”

Three months after their wedding, Rowe gave birth to Prince Michael, which she considered a gift to Jackson. In the documentary “Living With Michael Jackson,” the singer shared that Rowe had a child with him as a present.

Meanwhile, Rowe described Jackson’s joy during Prince’s birth, saying, “He was so excited when I had a contraction. He was welling up … and then his son was born. The look on his face … I’d never seen him that happy.” Rowe reportedly did not see her newborn for six weeks.

Fourteen months later, Rowe gave birth to their daughter, Paris Jackson. Jackson recounted, “I snatched [Paris] and just went home with all the placenta and everything all over her.”

However, their arrangement was short-lived, and less than two years later, they divorced in October 1999. Rowe received $8 million and a Beverly Hills house but relinquished custody of the children to Jackson.

She stated, “My kids don’t call me mom because I don’t want them to. They’re Michael’s children. I had them because I wanted him to be a father. I believe there are people who should be parents, and he’s one of them.”

Rowe, motivated by Jackson’s desire for children, said because Jackson was lonely and desired to have kids, “I offered him my womb, it was a gift. It was something I did to keep him happy.” She praised Jackson as “the most compassionate person I have met in my life.”

After their marriage made headlines, Rowe’s friend revealed her decision to have kids with Jackson stemmed from kindness. Colandro, Rowe’s neighbor at the time, revealed, “[..] She told us she was having the baby for Michael as a friend.” Despite public speculation, Colandro insisted Rowe’s pregnancy was natural and out of friendship.

In 2014, Rowe sought guardianship of her kids. Although she respected Katherine Jackson, she felt she was too old to be an effective guardian. Rowe also worried about the negative influence of Jackson’s brothers and the rebellious behavior of Prince.

Rowe described Jermaine Jackson as “creepy and inappropriate” and was particularly concerned about the youngest child, Blanket. She wanted to move the children to her ranch in Palmdale, California, where she raised horses.

Jackson’s brothers opposed Rowe’s custody bid. They stated, “The children are well loved and well taken care of. We are quite taken aback that Ms. Rowe has decided now to enter their lives.

The Jackson brothers said it was surprising after she abandoned her children for money. They emphasized their commitment to the kid’s well-being.

The same year she asked for custody of the kids, Rowe faced a health scare when doctors suspected she had lymphoma. She underwent a biopsy and was terrified of the anesthesia, especially Propofol.

Confident she was too healthy to have cancer, she awaited the results, which thankfully came back negative. However, that was not the last of her worries.

In July 2016, Rowe was diagnosed with breast cancer, requiring chemotherapy and radiation. This diagnosis led to a renewed bond with her daughter Paris, who had cut off contact two years earlier.

Paris visited Rowe frequently, and their relationship strengthened. Paris shared a photo of herself kissing Rowe’s bald head, captioning it, “I’m a fighter because she’s a fighter. Love you mom.”

Rowe shared in an interview that Paris had been her pillar of strength throughout the cancer treatment. “She’s my rock, she’s amazing. She was there from the first phone call, [it] took her 30 seconds to reach out,” she said.

Rowe admitted the daily struggle but found motivation in Paris, saying, “You have to work very hard to get up every morning and do this, but because of Paris, I have a reason.”

Rowe got emotional discussing the impact of chemotherapy on her femininity, saying, “Chemo does its best to make you lose your femininity. You lose your hair, your eyelashes, your eyebrows.”

However, Rowe mentioned once she takes off her wig, she is still herself and is still feminine. “I’m still a woman, and above all, I’m still human,” she added.

Her brave reveal of her bald head on TV prompted sympathetic reactions on social media.“My heart breaks every time I see mothers crying,” said one person.

“That’s awful. It’s so sad to see someone go through cancer. I pray we find cures for all cancers in the future,” another empathized. “So sad…I hope she’s feeling better…” “Oh Debbie I am so sorry,” added another empathetic individual.

In 2021, Paris paid a Mother’s Day tribute to Rowe, sharing a selfie and a vintage photo with her followers, highlighting their resemblance.

Paris also honored her late father, Jackson, with a heartfelt Instagram Story on Father’s Day, posting a throwback family portrait and writing, “Happy Father’s Day to all my homies out there that don’t have one. We not alone.”

Rowe’s journey, marked by unexpected turns and challenges, showcased her resilience. Her strength, especially during her cancer battle, resonated with many, drawing widespread support. Her enduring bond with Paris offers hope and inspiration, reflecting the power of love and perseverance.