The Jackson family tree is, to put it mildly, a bit of a maze. People have been obsessed with the lineage of Michael Jackson’s kids since the nineties. It’s one of those pop culture mysteries that never really goes away, mostly because the details are so unconventional. If you’re looking into the woman who is Blanket and Paris Jackson's mom, you have to start by realizing they actually have different maternal origins.
It’s not a straightforward "mom and dad" situation.
Paris Jackson, along with her older brother Prince, was born to Debbie Rowe. Blanket—who now goes by Bigi—was born via an anonymous surrogate. That distinction is huge. It’s why they look different, why their public lives have taken such vastly different paths, and why the "mom" question is actually two separate stories wrapped in one famous last name.
Debbie Rowe: The Woman Who Carried Paris Jackson
Debbie Rowe wasn't just some random person. She was a dermatology nurse working for Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael’s long-time physician. They struck up a friendship that eventually turned into a very specific arrangement. Michael wanted to be a father more than anything, and Debbie, by her own admission in several interviews, wanted him to have that joy.
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They married in 1996. It wasn't your typical romance.
She gave birth to Prince in 1997 and Paris in 1998. Shortly after Paris was born, the couple divorced in 1999. In the settlement, Debbie famously gave up her parental rights, though she later fought to reinstate some form of visitation after Michael’s death in 2009.
Paris and Debbie have had a rocky road. For years, they didn't really talk. But around 2013, they started rebuilding a bond. When Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, Paris was right there by her side. You’ve probably seen the photos of them together on Instagram—Paris looking like a bohemian rockstar and Debbie looking like a proud, albeit private, mother. It’s a complicated, adult relationship that exists outside the shadow of the Neverland ranch.
The Mystery Mother of Blanket (Bigi) Jackson
Now, things get a lot more mysterious when you talk about Bigi. He was born Prince Michael Jackson II in 2002. Unlike his older siblings, there is no public record of his mother’s identity. Michael used a surrogate, and to this day, her name has never been leaked or confirmed by the family.
He’s the one who was famously held over the balcony in Berlin.
That moment defined his early childhood in the eyes of the media, which is tragic because he’s grown up to be the most private of the three siblings. While Paris is out there modeling for Chanel and releasing indie-folk albums, Bigi stays mostly out of the limelight. He’s into filmmaking and climate activism.
Because his mother was an anonymous surrogate, the public has spent two decades speculating. Some people tried to claim it was a secret nurse; others pointed toward various women in Michael’s inner circle. Honestly? None of it holds water. The legal paperwork was handled with extreme confidentiality. For Bigi, the concept of a "mom" isn't a person he grabs coffee with on the weekends; it's a biological fact that remains a private part of his history.
Why the World Is So Obsessed with the Jackson Kids' DNA
Let’s be real for a second. A lot of the interest in Blanket and Paris Jackson's mom stems from the fact that the kids are biracial or, in the eyes of some skeptics, don't "look" like Michael. This has fueled decades of tabloid garbage.
Michael always maintained he was the biological father.
Genetics are wild. Paris has these piercing blue eyes and fair skin—traits she clearly inherited from Debbie Rowe’s side. Bigi, on the other hand, shares a striking resemblance to Michael during his Jackson 5 era. He has the dark hair, the jawline, and that specific intensity in his eyes.
The obsession with their "real" parents often ignores the reality of their upbringing. Katherine Jackson, their grandmother, became their legal guardian after Michael died. She was the matriarch who actually raised them. In the world of the Jacksons, family is often defined more by who showed up to the dinner table than whose DNA is in the code.
The Different Paths of Paris and Bigi
It’s fascinating to see how these two have handled the "mom" situation as adults. Paris is very vocal. She’s been open about her struggles with mental health, her sexuality, and her complicated feelings about her mother, Debbie. She’s a public figure in every sense of the word.
Bigi is the opposite.
He recently made headlines for a legal dispute with his grandmother over the Michael Jackson estate and the sale of the catalog to Sony. He’s protective of his father’s legacy, but he doesn’t seem to want the fame that comes with it. He hasn't gone looking for a public "mom" figure because, by all accounts, he’s focused on his own life and his tight-knit bond with his siblings.
The three of them—Prince, Paris, and Bigi—are incredibly close. They often post photos together at family events or Halloween parties. You can tell they’ve formed a sort of "us against the world" mentality. When your childhood involves wearing masks in public and dealing with a global media circus, your siblings are the only ones who truly get it.
Key Differences in Their Maternal Connections
- Paris Jackson: Biological daughter of Debbie Rowe. She has an active, though complex, relationship with her mother today.
- Bigi (Blanket) Jackson: Born via a surrogate whose identity is a strictly guarded secret. He has no known relationship with a maternal figure outside of his grandmother, Katherine.
- Prince Jackson: Shares the same mother as Paris (Debbie Rowe). He remains close to his sister and has occasionally interacted with Debbie over the years.
The "Secret Mother" Rumors That Won't Die
You'll still find corners of the internet convinced that there's some grand conspiracy. People have suggested that Dr. Arnie Klein was the sperm donor or that a woman named Pia Bhatti was the mother of Blanket.
None of this has ever been proven.
Pia Bhatti and her husband were close friends of Michael, and he was even a godfather to their children, but the family has repeatedly denied those rumors. The reality is usually much more professional and clinical: Michael wanted a third child, hired a surrogate through a legal agency, and ensured the contract kept her identity private to protect everyone involved.
What This Means for the Jackson Legacy
As we move further away from the era of Michael Jackson's peak fame, the kids are carving out their own identities. They aren't just "Michael's kids" anymore. Paris is an actress and musician. Bigi is a director and advocate.
They’ve handled the "mom" question with a surprising amount of grace. Paris doesn't hide Debbie Rowe, but she also doesn't let that relationship define her. Bigi doesn't seem bothered by the lack of a public mother figure. They are a product of a very specific, very famous, and very weird environment, yet they seem remarkably well-adjusted compared to what people expected twenty years ago.
How to Follow Their Journey Today
If you're looking for the most "real" version of their lives, skip the tabloids and look at their own output.
- Check out Paris Jackson’s music: Her album Wilted is actually really good. It’s moody, folk-inspired, and gives you a much better window into her soul than a TMZ headline.
- Look for Bigi’s film work: He’s been involved in various film festivals and YouTube projects focused on movies. He’s a total film nerd.
- Follow the Heal Los Angeles Foundation: This is Prince Jackson’s charity. All three siblings often support each other's philanthropic efforts here.
The story of Blanket and Paris Jackson's mom is ultimately a story about two different women: one who stepped into the light (Debbie) and one who chose to stay in the shadows (the surrogate). Both played a role in bringing these two into the world, but neither defines who they are today.
The best way to respect their history is to acknowledge the facts—Debbie is Paris’s mom, Bigi’s mom is anonymous—and then move on to what they’re actually doing with their lives now. They’ve spent their whole lives being scrutinized for things they couldn't control. Now, they’re finally in the driver’s seat.