Michael Jackson was a beloved singer and pop icon of a generation, but his private life was kept pretty, well, private. Not much is known about his gigantic estate, Neverland Ranch, but new images have been found after several years of speculation. His fans will finally get the chance to peek behind the curtain of the empty mansion...
Joe Jackson
Michael Jackson's relationship with his father was always deeply troubled, but the duo was still very close. In this photo, Michael's father, Joe Jackson, was pictured shaking the hands of fans outside of the home. The crowds often gathered with hopes of spotting the elusive pop star. This was taken after he was found not guilty on all counts in the court hearing.
Theme Park
This photograph only captures one small section of the theme park hidden on Neverland Ranch. The enormous property held several fun games for kids. The park included a Ferris wheel, carousel, zipper, octopus ride, pirate ship swing, wave swinger, super slide, roller coaster, bumper cars, and more.
Indictment
Pictured here is a large crowd of fans awaiting sight of Michael Jackson following the court case. During his 10-count indictment, fans would meet up outside of the ranch to show their support for the singer. Over 40 security staff patrolled the grounds at all times, and the number was increased during these accusations.
Prop Collector
Michael Jackson might have been a famous singer, but he had a real love for many other hobbies. He collected rare movie props, his favorite arcade games, and items in the realm of fantasy and other worlds. This miniature castle is an example of one of his fantastical fascinations coming to life. There was also a 50-seat movie theater in his basement.
Peter Pan
Perhaps one of the most unsettling parts of Jackson's home/ amusement park was his obvious fascination with children and childhood. Throughout the property there were statues of children playing and joking around, enjoying youth. When asked about these sculptures, he often said they were reminiscent of children's stories like Peter Pan.
Entryway
Although this location was known for it's whimsical and fairytale interior, the outside was pretty standard. Pictured here is the entryway to the California mansion. The landscaping often utilized fresh, colorful flowers to add to the lighthearted feel of the place. The home was made in the French-Normandy style.
Fans Await
Michael Jackson fans were very supportive of their icon, despite the controversial claims against him. Alba Paris (22, right) from Madrid, Spain, and friend Vanessa Casal (25) from Barcelona, Spain (left) decorated the gate of Neverland with red and white streamers as they awaited the verdict of his trial in 2005.
Waiting for Judgement
Pictured here are more fans waiting for the verdict of Michael Jackson's fate. They held hands to pray for the pop singer in front of the Neverland gates during the trials. Jackson was accused of child molestation charges. The jury consisted of eight women and four men who eventually deemed him not guilty on all charges.
Goodbye For Now
This was a sign that could be found upon the exit of Neverland Ranch. Shortly before his death, Michael Jackson held an auction to sell his property. Jackson had been undergoing financial difficulty at this time and had been staying in Bahrain thanks to the hospitality of Sheik Abdullah, the ruler's son. Jackson owed thousands in unpaid wages to employees.
Lisa Marie Presley
Michael Jackson was shortly married to the daughter of Elvis, Lisa Marie Presley. They were wed for two years until their divorce in 1996. Jackson proposed over the phone. It was largely believed to have been a publicity stunt that would distract from Jackson's growing accusations and also have jumpstarted Presley's singing career.
Tour Guides
Presley and Jackson are seen here giving a tour to children on Neverland Ranch. After their divorce proceedings, Presley cited "irreconcilable differences". The judge that had married them in Las Vegas said, "They lasted longer than I thought they would. I gave them a year. They lasted a year and a half."
Children's World Summit
During the Children's World Summit, Jackson and his then-wife were seen standing outside their palace, awaiting the children. The couple didn't always own the ranch. It was originally known as Zaca Laderas Ranch until it was renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch in 1981. Jackson bought and renamed the ranch in 1988.
All Aboard
Things were always moving at the ranch. To get around, the superstar implemented a train to circle the grounds. The locomotive was complete with benches, a conductors spot, and even stations to get on and off at. The vehicle traveled all over the 2,700 acres of property that Jackson owned.
Child's Paradise
Here, Jackson and Presley wandered around the ranch with children from the Children's World Summit. Though it was built as a child's paradise, the grounds had some adult amenities as well. The main house was accompanied by two guest homes as well as a giant lake on the acres. There were also facilities for the staff.
Rest Easy
The bed of Michael Jackson is pictured here, capitalizing on a brown and beige color scheme. Like many of the singer's items, it was held at an auction house in the last year of his life due to mounting financial troubles. It was later removed from the floor as evidence in his controversial death.
In Response
After a 13-year-old boy named Jordan Chandler, and his father, Evan Chandler, publicly accused the pop singer of molestation, the public was thrown into a frenzy, as was Jackson's image. He made a video addressing the claims that aired live from Neverland. Jackson denied the claims against him as a money-grab.
Never Ending Support
Fans were always by Michael's side, despite the claims against him. Pictured here is Megan Maretti (18), Anthony Villanueva (17), and Rayna Gonzales (17) who made signs and went to his home the day that he was booked for the charges. The signs read phrases like "No one can entertain us like you do, Michael" and "Leave Him Alone."
The Glove
Jackson had several iconic memorable pieces in his wardrobe, but the sparkly glove is perhaps his most notable. Though it was in his own possession for years, it was later sold at an auction house. It was sold for $350,000 plus tax. Hoffman Ma from Hong Kong paid a total of $420,000 for the memory.
Flags of the World
Also at the ranch were features such as a dance studio, a 14-foot lagoon-style pool, barns, and flags of the world. It was originally purchased by Jackson for $19.5 million. In 2019 it was listed on the market once again for $31 million, but the seller couldn't make a deal for the mansion.
Party Planner
Jackson loved to throw wild and extravagant parties at his personal home. In fact, he even held Kim Kardashian's 14th birthday party was thrown at the location. Kim allegedly thought it was "the most magical place on earth." He was also famous for his Christmas parties as well as sleepovers...
Time's Up
For a place where you never grow up, this mansion sure does have a lot of expansive clocks. This golden one was found inside the mansion for a more adult decor, as opposed to the giant floral one out front. With this handy tool, Jackson made sure he was always on time...
Never Grow Up
Michael had an affinity for children's stories, but none more so than Peter Pan. The legend of the boy who never grew up was a recurring theme at the mansion. It was the origin of the eponymous ranch title and several sculptures surrounding the place. The first time Jackson ever saw the ranch was when Paul McCartney was shooting a music video there.
Children Statues
There are so many statues of children on this campus, but this one is a little more unusual than the others. Here, you can see a collection of kiddos sitting on a bench. Though they're clearly fake, each one was made with such detail and realism that it can be considered nothing short of art...
On the Hour
Perhaps the most recognizable part about the ranch was the giant clock that adorned the train station. It was made of bushes and flowers and could even tell the real-time. Most shots of the estate feature this specific aspect of the land, but since his death, the clock has been out of working order.
Stop Signs
MJ's property was so vast and expanding that he even had several stop signs. In typical Jackson fashion though, they couldn't be just any old road signs. Each one was decorated with a childlike flair, like a kid statue holding on to it, pictured here. He liked to add a little bit of oddness and uniqueness to everything he owned.
The Loco in Locomotive
Though Jackson was beloved by fans, everyone had to agree that his idea for a child's paradise was a little odd. In television shows of the era, he was consistently mocked and satirized for his strange and eccentric estate. Most often, shows would pick on his backyard train set up as being particularly out there.
Garden Decor
In addition to the theme parks, trains, dance studios, and more, there were also several gardens. The gardens were decorated, like everything else, with statues of dancing or playing kids. Most of these were put up for auction after the death of Michael Jackson, along with the glove and fairytale castle.
What Reason?
No one really knew where Jackson got his fascination with childhood. Some believe it was a pang of repressed guilt in reference to the child sexual abuse allegations against the singer. Others say it was a coping mechanism for a particularly traumatizing childhood. Even more, say he was giving himself the childhood he never received.
Lake View
Jackson also created a lake on his land, right next to the theme park. There, visitors could find a swan-shaped boat, a Ferris wheel, a race track, and more grandiose experiences. The entire place was specially created with children in mind, which didn't help his cause in the sexual abuse trials.
On the Edge
Here is a statue that was once found on Jackson's property. It depicts a group of children standing on the edge of a fallen tree. The piece was eventually sold at an auction after his death, but it hasn't been seen since it's selling. Not only that, but there are several more similar to this one.
Nature Filled
The grounds weren't just for the huge and playful though, there were also beautiful parts of nature to be found. Aside from the lakes and floral arrangements, the location also boasted majestic rolling hills, towering sycamore trees, mighty oak trees, and a closely monitored landscape with staffers to care for it.
A Sight to Take In
Jackson's property was certainly quite a sight to take in all at once. The land was vast and expansive. This is one of the most consuming shots of the grounds ever taken. From this angle, the carousel, Ferris wheel, main house, and train tracks are all partially visible... and that's not even all of it!
Police Work
During the trial, newscasters were always nearby to follow the action live. Pictured here are just a few of the news vans setting up for their perfect shot. The police searched his premises but found no evidence leading to a conviction. Even armed with a search warrant they weren't able to uncover anything concrete.
Welcome All
One of the first things visitors at Neverland Valley Ranch found was this entrance sign. The entire property was sealed off from unwelcomed guests with a protective gate. Then, once inside, newcomers could follow a long path to either the main house or around and throughout the entire piece of land.
A Lot to Take In
Neverland Valley was quite a sight to see. The main house had five bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Not only that, but it had exposed oak beams inside, as well as extensive brick and stonework. The main home had five fireplaces, and oak parquet flooring from two chateaus in France during the 18th century.
Dining Room
The Jackson residence also had an impressive dining room for elaborate parties. In the dining area, guests could enjoy their meal while taking in the view of the property. Notice the giant windows in the back, these were overlooking the estate's backyard. On the other side of the room was a window to the kitchen.
Kitchen Cooking
Right beside the dining room was the kitchen, which was almost never occupied by Jackson himself. He kept a staff of chefs and cooks to keep him fed. He also had cleaners to help keep the premises in peak condition. According to Kevin McLin, a friend of Jackson's "He ate turkey burgers, Chinese food, a lot of vegetables. He always tried to eat healthy stuff. He tried to stay away from red meat."
Piano Man
No surprise here, MJ love to play the piano. So, when building his home, he put the music machine right in the living room. He was always playing, according to friends. On top of the piano, he kept photographs of himself with figures like Marilyn Monroe, Nelson Mandela, President Jimmy Carter, Elizabeth Taylor, and even Mickey Mouse.
Candy Cravings
Michael didn't just have a movie screen in his home, he had an entire theater, down to the candy bar out front. The theater sat 50 people inside, perfect for movie parties and viewings. He also had a popcorn machine in case anyone preferred something a little saltier than M&M's or Milk Duds.
Chaotic Collector
Michael Jackson loved to collect things from movies and videos. Notice his shelf of E.T paraphernalia. In turn, people around the world also loved to collect Michael Jackson's content. His albums, posters, merchandise, and anything else related to the artist. Some fans spent thousands on the hobby.
Possible Hoarder
Some close friends of Jackson believed he could have been a hoarder, or at least have had some tendencies to keep things around. This photo is a peek into his collection room, which as you can see, is stacked with boxes. Not only that, but there are books, papers, and of course, two giant mannequins in the middle.
Creepy Bathroom
Though there are a lot of strange things in the Jackson home, one of the more unsettling is the copper and gold tub in the bathroom, complete with a golden bath tray. There were tons of creepy things found in the home after Jackson's death, among them being a signed picture of Macaulay Culkin from Home Alone, "Don’t leave me alone in the house" it reads.
Lost to Time
The ranch was designed and operated by Jackson, but after his death, the property was foreclosed. It wasn't until recently that the acres had new life breathed into them. The amusement park was entirely removed from the premises, but there are still some cool features of the once-astounding land...
New Digs
The old may be out, but there is still a lot of cool attributes of the home. For instance, the new owners have implemented a brand new swimming pool, a poolside cabana, a full basketball court, a complete tennis court, and a BBQ area for guests. Pictured here is an underground wine cellar!
A Look Back
Michael's home might have been a piece of history, but his own past is a lot more haunted. He wanted to live out his childhood with Neverland, but there are somethings that he couldn't quite get past. As a result, there were several troubling things that went down at the ranch...
A Troubled Past
On the Oprah Winfrey Show, Jackson revealed that he was often abused by his father when he was a kid. Both he and his siblings had suffered countless physical and mental abuse at his father's hands. Michael even claimed that he threw up every time he saw his father for several years. Clearly, it was a tumultuous relationship...
Living with Vitiligo
Michael Jackson famously had a condition known as vitiligo. The condition caused his skin to appear white though he was born black. It's how he appeared to be completely white by the time of his death. He never confirmed it publicly, but after his death, an autopsy showed that that was the case...
Dancing Shoes
If you've ever wondered how MJ did his signature lean move, the secret is all in the feet. Michael wore these special shoes that hooked and allowed him to create the illusion of falling over slowly. The singer filed a patent for the "Method and Means for Creating Anti-Gravity Illusion" shoes.
Movie Man
Though he was a musician, Michael had a soft spot for the movies. He always dreamed of playing a superhero in a flick. He even threw himself a Spider-Man-themed birthday party. Additionally, the singer attempted to purchase Marvel Comics in the 1990s when it filed for bankruptcy.
Las Vegas Revival
Michael Jackson was dedicated to the stage though. He created a Las Vegas Revival tour after allegations came out against him. He came up with two different plans for his performance. One was a traditional show with bright lights and costumes, but the other was pretty unusual...
Themed Casino
Jackson had another idea for his branding. The singer was going to meet up with Steve Wynn, a casino mogul. Jackson wanted to pitch him a Michael Jackson themed hotel and casino. Jackson even wanted a 50-foot robot version of himself to roam the Nevada desert near the airport. He wrote up a plan for the whole thing.
Jackson's Hair
Another little known fact about Jackson is the secrets hidden in his hair. Two years after the singer released “Thriller,” Jackson's appearance was altered significantly after he signed himself on to do a Pepsi commercial. The commercial included a bit of a dangerous feature in the background...
Fire Burning
The commercial crews wanted it to feel like a genuine concert during the commercial. They brought out fire and explosions to go off while Jackson was performing. Well, things went a little off the rails. One machine went off ahead of schedule, right when Jackson leaned backward. He didn't even notice when he caught flame...
Catching Flame
He was quickly surrounded by the commercial crew and they were able to put out the flames, but not before things really went bad. Jackson's scalp was permanently burned and his hair was destroyed. He was now bald. He tattooed a hairline on his head and wore wigs for the remainder of his career.
Quick Escape
It's likely that MJ would have never even gone to prison for his crimes if he had been found guilty. When the allegations resurfaced in the early 2000s, Jermaine and the Jackson family hatched a plan for their brother. They knew the pop star wouldn't fare well behind bars so they planned an escape for him.
Hidden Jet
At the end of 2005, without telling Michael, Jermaine came up with a way to hide out from the prison system. The star's brother had managed to get a private plane that would discreetly take Michael to the country of Bahrain. If the trial went south for him, the Middle-Eastern land had no extradition treaty so Michael would be safe from bounty hunters there.
Wacko Man
One other quirk about the singer was his strange items of purchase. He was the maker of his own reputation, but the tabloids didn't help. Sometime during the 1980s, magazines were running odd tales about Michael Jackson and his hobbies. For instance, it was rumored for a long time that he tried to buy the bones of “Elephant Man” Joseph Merrick. Tabloids called him “Wacko Jackson.”
Self Sabotage
The weirdest part was that the singer often leaked these stories about himself! He loved the limelight so much that he would happily be the one creating it. Eventually, he stopped leaking because the name "Wacko Jackson" really began to bother him. He did it to himself though...
Bubbles
Jackson also was a lover of animals. He owned a monkey named Bubbles! During the ’80s, Jackson bought the primate, a baby chimpanzee, from a Texas monkey research facility. The two were inseparable. They ate together, walked around together, and lived in the same house as friends.
Bubbles Moves On
As Bubbles grew up though, he became really strong. Stronger than Jackson was able to deal with, and he wanted to return him to a safe place. Eventually, he donated Bubbles to the Center for Great Apes in Florida. The chimp lived out his days with a primate BFF named Sam, painting and eating their days away.
Body Image
Jackson might seem like a star out of this world, but he had his own image issues. Those close to him say that the Pepsi commercial kicked off his addiction to plastic surgery and painkiller pills. In the span of only 4 years, Jackson had at two rhinoplasties (nose jobs) and an inserted chin dimple.
Body Dysmorphia
Throughout his life, Jackson went under the knife several times. Many speculated he had a condition known as body dysmorphic disorder. The disorder causes one to become overwhelmingly obsessed with perfecting their physical appearance to an unattainable measure...