Where are Michael Jackson's ex-wives now? What Debbie Rowe and Lisa Marie Presley are up to now


The 'Beat It' singer was married twice during his life – but what have his famous exes been up to since they parted ways?


Michael Jackson tips his head to the right of the image and leans back smiling.© Getty Images
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
2 minutes ago
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The 'Thriller' singer produced iconic tracks like 'Billie Jean' and 'Smooth Criminal' but it's his life away from the stage that has always received the most scrutiny. With the new Michael biopic bringing attention back to the singer and putting his nephew Jaafar Jackson in the spotlight, we're catching up with several former members of the Jackson family.

Michael was married twice over the course of his life and welcomed three children – read on to catch up with the singer's famous ex-wives and what they've been up to post-split.

Michael Jackson performs on stage in a white jacket and black trousers, holding a microphone in his right hand.© Getty Images

Michael Jackson is best known for hits like 'Thriller', 'Smooth Criminal' and 'Beat It'

Who is Michael Jackson?

Known as the 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson was born on 29 August 1958, one of 10 Jackson siblings. He performed with his family as part of The Jackson 5 which was managed by his father Joe.

Michael went on to find meteoric success as a solo artist, winning 13 Grammy Awards and 6 Brit Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. 

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson visit the Palace of Versailles. © Sygma via Getty Images

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson said 'I do' in 1994

Marriage to Lisa Marie Presley

Michael first tied the knot with singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley. Lisa was the only child of singing legend Elvis Presley and his wife, actress Priscilla. 

They first met when Presley was just six years old and Michael was performing with his brothers in Las Vegas. They crossed paths again in 1993 when he asked to hear her demo tape and married in 1994, 20 days after her divorce from then-husband Danny Keough. They separated two years later.

Musician Lisa Marie Presley poses in a black high necked dress and black hat at an angle with her brown wavy hair worn down.© Getty Images for Wonderwall

Lisa worked as a singer-songwriter and managed her father's famous Graceland estate

Lisa's star career

Born on 1 February 1968, Lisa Marie Presley was the only daughter of Elvis and Pricilla Presley. She worked as a singer-songwriter, producing albums like To Whom It May Concern and Now What and duetting several of her late father's recorded tracks.

As the sole heir of the Presley estate, Lisa managed Graceland (which her mother famously opened to the public in 1982), welcoming Elvis fans from around the world.

Lisa Marie Presley in a black dress with the right shoulder dropped, her hair pulled up at the back and worn down.© Getty Images for Icelandic Glacial

Lisa Marie Presley sadly died at just 54 years old in 2023

Her legacy

Prior to her marriage with Jackson, Lisa was married to musician Danny Keough with whom she welcomed daughter Riley and son Benjamin. 

Following her split from Michael, she married twice more, wedding actor Nicolas Cage in 2002 and separating just three months later, then tying the knot with her fourth husband Michael Lockwood in 2006 with whom she shared twins Harper and Finley. Lisa passed in 2023 following a cardiac arrest, two years after her divorce from Lockwood was finalised. Lisa passed in 2023 following a cardiac arrest, two years after her separation from Lockwood.

Michael Jackson holds Debbie Rowe's shoulder and the back of her neck, kissing her cheek.© Getty Images

Debbie Rowe is the mother to two of Michael's children

Meet Debbie Rowe

Debbie Rowe is Michael Jackson's second wife and mother to two of his children. She met the singer while working as an assistant to his dermatologist Arnold Klein. 

Following his divorce, Debbie Rowe offered to carry Michael's children. They said 'I do' on 15 November 1996, when she was six months pregnant with their first child. Over the course of their marriage, they welcomed son Prince Jackson and daughter Paris Jackson, before divorcing in 2000 when Michael was given full custody.

Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe arrives at court in Los Angeles, wearing dark trousers, a black shirt and sunglasses.© AFP via Getty Images

Debbie Rowe reunited with her daughter Paris in 2013 and the two have developed a friendship

Life after Michael

The year after they divorced, Debbie requested to have her parental rights terminated though requested to reverse the decision in 2004 when Michael was charged with 10 counts of child abuse.

Prince and Paris moved, along with their half-brother Bigi, to live with Michael's mother Katherine in 2009. Debbie's relationship with her children has been limited but Paris has opened up about reuniting with her mother at 15 years old and building a friendship with her.

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