Michael Jackson's son Bigi slams grandmother Katherine over funds from dad's estate
Michael Jackson's son Bigi "Blanket" Jackson is suing the music legend's mom, Katherine.
In court filings obtained by USA TODAY, Bigi, 22, whose legal name is Prince Michael Jackson III, argued that his grandmother should not be able to use funds from his father's estate to finance her legal battle against executors.
Bigi Jackson's attorneys said Katherine Jackson's requests for legal services do not benefit the estate, so a judge should not approve her requests.
Bigi Jackson's filing was a response to Katherine Jackson's ongoing opposition to the $600 million deal with Sony Music for half of the late pop star's recorded music catalog and publishing by executors of the estate, Billboard and People reported. In December, a judge sided with executors and said the deal could continue, but Katherine Jackson pursued an appeal of the decision anyways.
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The court filing says the Sony deal was "of paramount significance to Bigi, both financially and personally," Michael Jackson's youngest son decided to move on from the legal battle, which is why he is opposing his grandmother's request.
The filing states that "despite the expense and long odds, Katherine decided to pursue an appeal."
USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Katherine Jackson and Bigi Jackson for comment.
According to Billboard, Michael Jackson executors John Branca and John McClain claim Katherine Jackson has received over $55 million from the estate since the singer's death in 2009.
"Contrary to claims made by Mrs. Jackson's counsel, the executors have in fact provided liberally for Mrs. Jackson's maintenance, care and well being," attorneys for Branca and McClain wrote, according to the report. "Since Michael's death, the executors have expended for Mrs. Jackson’s benefit more than $55 million.”
Michael Jackson has two other children, son Prince Michael II, and daughter, Paris Jackson, and used surrogacy to conceive Bigi, who was formerly known as Blanket.