Nearly 17 years after the death of Michael Jackson, his three children have yet to receive any direct inheritance payments from the late singer’s estate.
Jackson, who died in June 2009 at the age of 50, named his children and mother, Katherine Jackson, as beneficiaries. While the estate continues to provide substantial financial support, the inheritance itself remains locked behind an ongoing legal dispute with the IRS.
Life After Losing Their Father
Michael Jackson’s children, Prince Jackson, Paris Jackson, and Bigi Jackson, grew up under extraordinary public attention. Following their father’s death, they were raised primarily by their grandmother, Katherine Jackson.
Over the years, each has pursued a different path. Prince entered the entertainment business and launched his own production company, while Paris built careers in music, modeling, and acting. Bigi, formerly known as Blanket, has largely remained out of the spotlight and is reportedly focused on filmmaking.
Why the Money Hasn’t Been Distributed
The delay stems from a long-running tax dispute between Michael Jackson’s estate and the Internal Revenue Service. According to court filings, the IRS argued that several estate assets were significantly undervalued when tax returns were originally filed.
The disagreement centers largely on the valuation of Jackson’s music-related assets, including his publishing interests and catalog rights. The IRS initially claimed the estate owed hundreds of millions of dollars in additional taxes and penalties.
Estate Executors Say Distribution Must Wait
Although the estate has successfully challenged portions of the IRS assessment, key valuation issues remain unresolved. As a result, executors say they cannot accurately determine how much money can safely be distributed to beneficiaries.
Court documents indicate that a portion of the estate must also be allocated to charitable contributions before final inheritance calculations can be completed, adding another layer of complexity to the process.
Family Continues Receiving Financial Support
Despite the inheritance freeze, the estate maintains that Jackson’s children and mother continue to receive significant financial support. Representatives have stated that the family is provided with funds for living expenses and other needs through ongoing estate arrangements.
The estate has also emphasized that it works closely with the beneficiaries to ensure they are cared for in a manner consistent with Jackson’s wishes.
A Record-Breaking Estate Still in Limbo
Since Michael Jackson’s death, his estate has generated billions of dollars through music sales, licensing agreements, business ventures, and entertainment projects. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful celebrity estates in history.
However, until the remaining legal and tax disputes are fully resolved, Prince, Paris, and Bigi will have to wait before receiving their full inheritance, despite being named beneficiaries nearly two decades ago.
