Report: Jackson’s kids don’t know mom

As of 2004, two of Michael Jackson’s children were not told the U.S. pop star’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe is their mother, the late singer’s former publicist claims.

Jackson died last month at the age of 50 from a suspected prescription drug overdose.

Rowe gave birth to the singer’s two elder children Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11, during their three-year marriage. The mother of Jackson’s youngest child, 7-year-old Prince Michael II, has not been publicly identified.

Stuart Backerman, who said he represented Jackson from 2002 to 2004, told The Daily Telegraph he didn’t believe the two older children knew Rowe as their mother during that time.

The understanding in the Jackson camp was that she wasn’t known as the mother, Backerman told the newspaper. Debbie was known as a close friend or relative. It might have been a relative, or someone who was close but not related.

The report did not say whether Backerman thought Jackson’s sons and daughter had been told who their mothers were after he left Jackson’s employ.

Jackson’s mother, Katherine, has temporary custody of his three children, however, Rowe reportedly is mulling over whether to seek custody of her two kids with the late recording artist.

The Telegraph said Katherine Jackson claimed in court papers the children have no relationship with their biological mother.

Michael Jackson’s will reportedly stipulated his children should be raised by his mother or by singer Diana Ross if his mother is unable to care for the kids.