Advertisement
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 Jackson and Debbie Rowe attend the closing performance of “Sisterella” on April 28, 1996 | Source: Getty ImagesJackson 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.
Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe pictured on January 1, 1997 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images Together, Dr. Klein and Rowe accompanied Jackson on world tours, leading to a deepening friendship. Rowe even had posters of Jackson 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, Rowe’s friend, said, “If anyone has problems, she handles them. She’s a great rescuer.”
Debbie Rowe looks on as Michael Jackson signs autographs for fans on July 10, 1997 in Sheffield, England. | Source: Getty Images
Rowe 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.”
Jackson married Rowe 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 Sheraton in the Park Hotel in Sydney, Australia.
A general view of the Sheraton on the Park Hotel on June 26, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the secrecy, photos showed Rowe beaming and Jackson placing a tender hand on her belly. Rowe was six months pregnant with his first child at the time, after offering to have children with him.
