Debbie Rowe facts for kids

Deborah Jeanne Rowe (born December 6, 1958) is an American nurse. She is known for being the second wife of pop musician Michael Jackson. They had two children together.

Early Life

Debbie Rowe was born on December 6, 1958. Her birthplace was Spokane, Washington. Her parents were Barbara Chilcutt and Gordon Rowe. Her father divorced her mother when Debbie was almost two years old. She was raised by her mother, some aunts, and her maternal grandmother.

First Marriage

Rowe married Richard Edelman in 1982. She also became a follower of Judaism around this time. The couple divorced six years later.

Her Relationship with Michael Jackson

Debbie Rowe met Michael Jackson while she was working. She was an assistant in a skin doctor's office. Michael Jackson was a patient there, receiving treatment for vitiligo, a skin condition.

Rowe shared that after Jackson's divorce from Lisa Marie Presley in 1996, he was sad. He worried he might never become a father. Rowe, who was a big fan of Jackson, offered to have his children.

Children and Marriage

Rowe experienced a miscarriage in 1996, which was very upsetting for her. Jackson supported her during this difficult time. Later in 1996, it was announced that Rowe was pregnant again. She and Jackson were married on November 15, 1996, in Sydney, Australia.

Michael Jackson with his children Paris and Prince in Disneyland Resort Paris in 2006.

Rowe gave birth to a son, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., on February 13, 1997. He was born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was later nicknamed Prince. The next year, she had a daughter, Paris Jackson. Paris was born on April 3, 1998, in Beverly Hills, California. Michael Jackson took on the main responsibility for raising their children.

Divorce and Custody

Debbie Rowe described herself as a very private person. She found the public attention that came with being married to Michael Jackson overwhelming. The couple divorced in April 2000. Rowe gave full custody of the children to Jackson. She received a settlement of US$8 million and a house in Beverly Hills, California.

In 2001, Rowe decided to end her parental rights for the two children. However, in 2004, she went to court to change this decision. She explained in court that she had been allowed limited visits with her children. These visits were for eight hours every 45 days.

In 2005, Rowe sold her house in Beverly Hills. She then bought a ranch in Palmdale. In 2006, she asked Jackson for money to help with a child custody case. Jackson was ordered to pay her $60,000 for legal fees.

After Michael Jackson's Death

Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009. After his death, Debbie Rowe's attorney made statements. These statements denied many rumors. Some rumors said she was not the children's biological mother. Others claimed she was trying to sell her parental rights for money.

In July 2009, she filed a lawsuit. This lawsuit was against a source who shared private emails with a TV show called Extra. On March 3, 2010, she won this lawsuit. She was awarded $27,000 in damages.

In August 2009, Rowe reached an agreement with Katherine Jackson. Katherine Jackson was the children's guardian. This agreement gave Rowe rights to supervised visits with her children.

In April 2014, Rowe announced on Entertainment Tonight that she was engaged. Her fiancé was Marc Schaffel, a music producer. He had also worked as a videographer at Neverland Ranch. Schaffel was the only Jackson employee allowed to visit Rowe after her divorce in 2000. He also helped Rowe with her health issues.

Health

In 2016, Debbie Rowe was diagnosed with breast cancer.