Debbie Rowe, the former wife of Michael Jackson and mother to his two eldest children, Prince and Paris, was recently seen in Los Angeles. Dressed casually and wearing sunglasses, she kept a low profile during the outing. The sighting comes at a time of renewed public interest in Michael Jackson’s life and controversies, following the release of Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, a documentary sequel revisiting the sexual abuse allegations against the late pop icon. Rowe, a former nurse, married Jackson in 1996 and served as a surrogate mother to their children before the couple divorced in 1999.
Though Rowe initially gave Jackson full custody of Prince and Paris after their separation, she eventually reconnected with her daughter when Paris was 15 years old. In later interviews, Paris has described their relationship as more like a friendship, bonded through shared interests, particularly their mutual love of music. Paris has openly reflected on how her father’s death impacted her childhood, leaving her without guidance during critical years. Despite their unusual beginnings, Rowe and Paris have developed a steady, supportive connection in recent years.
Beyond her role as a mother, Rowe also has a past connected to Jackson’s complicated personal life. She worked as a nurse for Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson’s dermatologist, who was known for providing the singer with various medications. In a recent documentary, Rowe spoke through tears, admitting to feeling partially responsible for Jackson’s addiction issues that contributed to his death from a drug-induced cardiac arrest in 2009. Her candid remarks revealed a sense of lingering guilt over the tragic circumstances of his final years.
The resurgence of media attention around Michael Jackson, spurred by the Leaving Neverland documentaries, has placed those once close to him back into the public conversation. Although Rowe’s recent outing was personal and unrelated to the new film, her name remains connected to Jackson’s legacy. The ongoing allegations and debates about the late singer’s private life continue to cast a shadow, making it difficult for those in his inner circle to fully escape the scrutiny.
Today, Debbie Rowe seems focused on maintaining a quieter life, prioritizing her relationships with her children and especially nurturing the bond she has built with Paris. Her reflections on the past, paired with her efforts to stay out of the spotlight, suggest a woman who has found some peace in distance from fame. Despite the challenges of her history with one of pop culture’s most controversial figures, Rowe’s current life appears rooted in family and reflection.