More than two decades after her divorce from Michael Jackson, Debbie Rowe has built a much quieter life and, by all accounts, found a sense of peace far from public attention.
Although their marriage lasted under three years, Rowe’s relationship with the singer remains one of the most scrutinized parts of his personal history.
When the couple divorced in 1999, Rowe — mother to Paris and Prince — agreed that Jackson would retain primary custody of the children. She later chose to have her parental rights terminated through a private judge.
During the 2001 custody proceedings, she spoke candidly about why she had children with Jackson, stating:
“I did it for him to become a father, not for me to become a mother.”
After stepping away from her parental role, Rowe received an $8 million settlement along with a Beverly Hills property. These days, however, the 67-year-old is said to be living a very different kind of life.
She has long been associated with a ranch in the Palmdale area of California, where she has kept a low profile and remained close to her longtime circle, including music producer Marc Schaffel.
Rowe’s privacy has made her rare public appearances newsworthy, but in 2026 she was photographed during an ordinary errand run in Palmdale, reinforcing just how quietly she lives.
That life has allowed her to focus on a longtime passion: horses.
Heidi Allyn of the LA Equestrian Center in Burbank told the New York Post:
“She works with some of the best trainers in the country.
“She keeps herself to herself, but is very nice and normal. She is very pleasant to everyone she meets.”
After the end of her marriage to Jackson, Rowe agreed not to publicly discuss either him or their children.
For years, it appeared she had little to no connection with Paris and Prince, a situation that seemed to continue until after their father’s death in 2009.
Her relationship with Paris appeared to strengthen significantly after Rowe was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, with Paris frequently sharing moments with her on Instagram.
Once Rowe completed chemotherapy, Paris posted:
“My badass mom, kickin butt n takin names. Ain’t she f**king fabulous.”
Rowe also spoke warmly about her daughter in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, saying:
“She’s been with me the whole time… I can’t tell you how much I love her.”
In 2026, the two were pictured together again in rare photos, and Paris also marked Mother’s Day by sharing a photo of Rowe on her Instagram Stories, a sign that their bond remains strong.
Prince has also continued to make his own way in public life. In 2025, he announced that he and his longtime girlfriend Molly Schirmang were engaged after eight years together.
He wrote on Instagram:
“Molly and I have spent a lot of time together and made incredible memories. We’ve traveled the world, graduated, and grown so much together.”
In 2026, Prince also served as an executive producer on Michael, the biographical film about his father that brought renewed attention to the Jackson family legacy.
It remains unclear how much contact Rowe has with Prince on a day-to-day basis, but her rare public sightings, Paris’s recent tributes and Prince’s milestone year suggest the family’s story continues to evolve quietly, well away from the spotlight.