Michael Jackson Married a Nurse Who Was a Fan — Now 67, She Once Saddened Users with Her Appearance Amid Breast Cancer

• Michael Jackson's marriage to a dedicated fan unveiled unexpected aspects of her life.
• She was diagnosed with breast cancer and bravely showed off her bald head on television by taking off her wig which sparked sympathy from many.
• The woman's biggest support system was her daughter, whom she had, along with her brother, as a "gift" to the musician.

Michael Jackson's marriage to a devoted fan-turned-friend intrigued many about her life. Their sudden wedding while she was pregnant with their first child brought her into the public eye.

Michael first married Lisa Marie Presley, but their union ended after two years. After their split, the global superstar impulsively married a woman who was not in the public eye. It was a peculiar arrangement that hogged headlines for years.

The singer-songwriter met Debbie Rowe, a nurse assistant, and divorcée, when he went for vitiligo treatment at Dr. Arnold Klein's dermatology office. Over time, he and Rowe got to know each other.

Together, Dr. Arnold and Debbie accompanied Michael on world tours, leading to a deepening friendship. Debbie even had posters of Michael in her apartment.

Friends described her as a kind-hearted woman who preferred jeans and T-shirts. She had two dogs: Cuervo, a golden retriever, and Harley, a German shepherd at the time. Mary Colandro, Debbie's friend, said, "If anyone has problems, she handles them. She's a great rescuer."

Debbie recalled meeting the pop star for the first time, saying, "I go 'Hi.' And he goes 'Hi,' and I said, 'You know what? Nobody does what you do better, and nobody does what I do better. Let's get this over with.' And he laughed, and we just became friends."

Michael married Debbie in November 1996, with the star's eight-year-old nephew acting as the best man. They exchanged vows in a private ceremony held in the presidential suite of the Sheraton in the Park Hotel in Sydney, Australia.

Despite the secrecy, photos showed Debbie beaming and Michael placing a tender hand on her belly. Debbie was six months pregnant with his first child at the time, after offering to have children with him.

The mother-to-be surprised her pharmacist pal by telling her she was pregnant. According to the pal, Debbie said she was "doing a favor for a good friend."

Motivated by Michael's desire for children, Debbie said because he was lonely and desired to have kids, "I offered him my womb, it was a gift. It was something I did to keep him happy." She praised Micahel as "the most compassionate person I have met in my life."

Debbie's friend disclosed that her decision to have kids with Michael stemmed from kindness. Mary revealed, "[..] She told us she was having the baby for Michael as a friend." Despite public speculation, she insisted Debbie's pregnancy was natural and out of friendship.

Three months after their wedding, Debbie gave birth to Prince Michael in February 1997. In the documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," the singer shared that Debbie had a child with him as a present.

Debbie later described his joy during Prince's birth, saying, "He was so excited when I had a contraction. He was welling up … and then his son was born. The look on his face … I'd never seen him that happy."

Fourteen months later, Debbie gave birth to their daughter, Paris Jackson, in April 1998. Michael recounted, "I snatched [Paris] and just went home with all the placenta and everything all over her."

However, his arrangement with Debbie was short-lived, and less than two years later, they divorced in October 1999. She received $8 million and a Beverly Hills home but relinquished custody of the children to Michael.

Debbie explained the dynamics between her and the kids, stating, "My kids don't call me mom because I don't want them to. They're Michael's children. I had them because I wanted him to be a father. I believe there are people who should be parents, and he's one of them."

In 2014, Debbie sought custody of her kids after Michael enlisted his mother, Katherine Jackson, as the guardian. But she felt her former in-law was too old to be an effective guardian. Debbie also worried about the negative influence of Jackson's brothers, citing Jermaine Jackson, and the rebellious behavior of Prince.

Debbie described Jermaine as "creepy and inappropriate" and was particularly concerned about the youngest child, Blanket. She wanted to move the children to her ranch in Palmdale, California, where she raised horses.

But Michael's brothers opposed Debbie's custody bid. They stated, "The children are well loved and well taken care of. We are quite taken aback that Ms. Rowe has decided now to enter their lives."

They further said it was surprising, especially after she abandoned her children for money, and emphasized their commitment to the kids' well-being.

The same year Debbie asked for custody of the kids, she faced a health scare when doctors suspected she had lymphoma. She underwent a biopsy and was terrified of the anesthesia, especially Propofol.

Confident she was too healthy to have cancer, she awaited the results, which thankfully came back negative. However, that was not the last of her worries.

In July 2016, Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer, requiring chemotherapy and radiation. This diagnosis led to a renewed bond with her daughter Paris, who had cut off contact two years earlier.

Paris visited her frequently, and their relationship strengthened. She shared a photo of herself kissing Debbie's bald head, captioning it, "I'm a fighter because she's a fighter. Love you mom."

Debbie shared in an interview that Paris had been her pillar of strength throughout the cancer treatment. "She's my rock, she's amazing. She was there from the first phone call, [it] took her 30 seconds to reach out," she said.

The doting parent admitted the daily struggle but found motivation in Paris, saying, "You have to work very hard to get up every morning and do this, but because of Paris, I have a reason."

Debbie got emotional discussing the impact of chemotherapy on her femininity, saying, "Chemo does its best to make you lose your femininity. You lose your hair, your eyelashes, your eyebrows."

However, the Washington native mentioned that once she takes off her wig, she is still herself and is still feminine. "I'm still a woman, and above all, I'm still human," she added.

Debbie's brave reveal of her bald head on TV prompted sympathetic reactions on social media.“My heart breaks every time I see mothers crying,” said one person.

“That's awful. It's so sad to see someone go through cancer. I pray we find cures for all cancers in the future,” another empathized. “So sad...I hope she's feeling better...” “Oh Debbie I am so sorry,” added another empathetic individual.

Debbie's daughter continued showering with support, too. In 2021, Paris paid a Mother's Day tribute to her, sharing a selfie and a vintage photo with her followers, highlighting their resemblance.

The actress also honored her late dad, with a heartfelt Instagram Story on Father's Day, posting a throwback family portrait and writing, "Happy Father's Day to all my homies out there that don't have one. We not alone."

Debbie's journey, marked by unexpected turns and challenges, showcased her resilience. Her strength, especially during her cancer battle, resonated with many, drawing widespread support. Her enduring bond with Paris offers hope and inspiration, reflecting the power of love and perseverance.