Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Paris Jackson, daughter of the late music legend Michael Jackson, has initiated legal proceedings against the executors of her father’s estate.
In her court filings, Paris, who has her own substantial wealth, compared the estate’s managers to the “Wizard of Oz,” suggesting they expect trust without offering substantial evidence in return.
However, individuals close to the family caution that Paris might be mistaken in her pursuit against the estate’s managers.
John Branca and John McClain, the co-executors, were entrusted with the management of Michael Jackson’s vast estate after his passing in 2009.
Paris has made allegations against the two of financial mismanagement, stirring significant controversy within the family, including accusations of excessive payments to external lawyers.
Nonetheless, a family insider and the estate have refuted these claims.
They told the New York Post: “These are the same people who rescued Michael’s name and made sure his kids were financially secure for life.
“Michael died more than $500 million in debt. The estate not only cleared that, it built a fortune. For her to turn on them now—it’s shocking.”
A family source suggested that Jackson’s children, including Paris, might not have the wealth they enjoy today without the management decisions made posthumously.
“Michael’s children would never have received what they have now if the executors hadn’t taken bold, sometimes risky, steps. They didn’t just protect the money—they rebuilt a legacy,” said the source.
Public records reveal Paris has been an extravagant spender, acquiring multiple multi-million dollar properties in California.
Additionally, these records show a pattern of purchasing a home only to sell it shortly thereafter.
An insider remarked: “She quickly got bored with one house and simply bought another. That’s not the behavior of someone struggling financially.”
Paris reportedly received around $65 million from her father’s estate.
The estate’s lawyers responded to her claims by stating: “Few have benefited more from the Executors’ business judgment than [Paris] herself.”
They further argued that without their management decisions, the inheritance might not have materialized.
Paris has openly discussed her mental health and addiction challenges in the past, including a suicide attempt at age 15.
She previously told Rolling Stone: “It was just self-hatred, low self-esteem, thinking that I couldn’t do anything right, not thinking I was worthy of living anymore.”
If you need confidential advice about substance use, American Addiction Centers is available at (313) 209-9137, 24/7, or through their website.
If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, Mental Health America offers support at 988, through call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Crisis Text Line can also be reached by texting MHA to 741741.
If immediate mental health support is needed, contact the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential service available 24/7 to everyone.