Los Angeles - Late singer Michael Jackson named fellow music
great Diana Ross as the backup guardian of his three children in the
event that his mother Katherine, 79, was unable to fulfill that role,
according to his 2002 will, which was revealed Wednesday.
According to the will, dated July 7, 2002, all of Jackson's assets
have been left to the Michael Jackson Family Trust.
The document was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court
with a separate petition that estimates the value of his estate at
more than 500 million dollars, primarily comprised of his half of a
music publishing catalog that holds the rights to more than 250
Beatles' songs, as well as other music.
The will specifically excluded Jackson's heirs and his former
wife, Debbie Rowe, but they could be beneficiaries of his trust,
legal experts said. Jackson's father, Joe, was not mentioned in the
will.
The revelation came amid feverish expectations outside Jackson's
Neverland Ranch, some 200 kilometres to the north, where television
cameras already occupied prime positions along the country road
leading to his home in advance of a reported public viewing there
Friday.
However, a statement by the Jackson family said there would be no
viewing at the pop star's fantasy refuge.
'Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is
officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at
Neverland,' the statement read. 'Plans are underway regarding a
public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans
shortly.'
Earlier accounts had stated a public memorial would be held for
the King of Pop on Friday at his former residence, the Neverland
Valley Ranch, with a private memorial service two days later. But
logistical problems appeared insurmountable at the remote location,
where a throng was expected of thousands of fans seeking a last
glimpse of the remains of one of the 20th century's most iconic
performers.
Jackson died June 25 at age 50 of cardiac arrest.
Amid widespread speculation about the cause of his death, a nurse
who had worked for Jackson told CNN that several days before his
death the pop star had begged her to administer the drug Diprivan, a
substance usually used to start or maintain anesthesia during
surgery.
The nurse, Cherilyn Lee, said that Jackson was complaining of
insomnia, but she warned him that 'the medication is not safe,' she
told CNN. 'I told him - and it is so painful that I actually felt it
in my whole spirit - 'If you take this you might not wake up,'' she
said.
Her interview coincided with a report on celebrity website TMZ.com
that police had found quantities of Diprivan in Jackson's home,
further adding to the speculation that it was the drug had a role in
his death.
USA
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