Our King of Pop, Michael Jackson is gone—but reportedly his 93-year-old mother Katherine Jackson is still very protective over how his estate makes money off his legacy and licensing his name. According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, the Jackson matriarch of the legendary family is asking Michael’s estate to pay more than $500,000 in legal bills she racked up fighting a secret ‘incredibly lucrative’ deal his developed by his estate’s executors.
The bulk of Michael’s estate was left to his three children. However, he also formed The Katherine Jackson Trust, which is meant to take care of his mother for the rest of her life. John Branca and John McClain are the executors of the superstar’s estate, and they have clashed with the 93-year-old multiple times since her son’s death in 2009.
Their most recent fight involves a confidential deal Branca and McClain sought approval for last year. Katherine fought the deal, leading to her $561,548 legal bill. Branca and McClain are reluctant to pay Katherine’s legal fees, as she has frequently opposed deals that have turned out to be very profitable, including the concert movie “This is It!”
After a prominent celebrity dies, it’s always a delicate dance between preserving their legacy and continuing to make their name and art profitable. When the executors of the estate aren’t family members, things can get even more complicated.
No matter how successful a deal is, Katherine seems to be thinking about what’s best for her son’s name. But her wishes seem to clash with Branca and McClain’s desire to keep Michael Jackson as one of the most well-known, successful artists in music history.
When you look at how the estates of other notable artists have been exploited, Branca and McClain are faced with balancing profitability with fan service. As much as she loves her son and grandchildren, is it time Katherine accepts that the entertainment business works much differently now?