Jackson’s will names Diana Ross as backup guardian

LOS ANGELES - Late singer Michael Jackson named fellow music great Diana Ross as the backup guardian of his three children in the event that his mother Katherine, 79, was unable to fulfil that role, according to his 2002 will, which was revealed Wednesday.

According to the will, dated July 7, 2002, all of Jackson’s assets have been left to the Michael Jackson Family Trust.

The document was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court with a separate petition that estimates the value of his estate at more than $500 million, primarily comprised of his half of a music publishing catalogue that holds the rights to more than 250 Beatles’ songs, as well as other music.

The will specifically excluded Jackson’s heirs and his former wife, Debbie Rowe, but they could be beneficiaries of his trust, legal experts said. Jackson’s father, Joe, was not mentioned in the will.

The revelation came amid feverish expectations outside Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, some 200 km to the north, where television cameras already occupied prime positions along the country road leading to his home in advance of a reported public viewing there

Friday.

However, a statement by the Jackson family said there would be no viewing at the pop star’s fantasy refuge.

“Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland,” the statement read. “Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly.”

Earlier accounts had stated a public memorial would be held for the King of Pop on Friday at his former residence, the Neverland Valley Ranch, with a private memorial service two days later. But logistical problems appeared insurmountable at the remote location, where a throng was expected of thousands of fans seeking a last

glimpse of the remains of one of the 20th century’s most iconic performers.

Jackson died June 25 at age 50 of cardiac arrest.

Amid widespread speculation about the cause of his death, a nurse who had worked for Jackson told CNN that several days before his death the pop star had begged her to administer the drug Diprivan, a substance usually used to start or maintain anesthesia during surgery.

The nurse, Cherilyn Lee, said that Jackson was complaining of insomnia, but she warned him that “the medication is not safe,” she told CNN. “I told him - and it is so painful that I actually felt it in my whole spirit - ‘If you take this you might not wake up,’” she said.

Her interview coincided with a report on celebrity website TMZ.com that police had found quantities of Diprivan in Jackson’s home, further adding to the speculation that it was the drug had a role in his death.