Tuesday July 14, 2009

Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe will receive a $4 million payout — if she drops her custody claim on the superstar’s children.

Rowe wed Jackson in 1996 (he was a patient in the dermatologist’s office, where she worked as a nurse). They divorced in 1999.

Rowe and Jackson had two children together: Prince, 12 and Paris, 11. During her custody fight with Jacko, Rowe agreed to give up her parental rights, insisting he was a good father.

Last week, a custody hearing was postponed until July 20 to give the singer’s mother Katherine — who has temporary conservatorship — and Rowe time to try to reach an agreement over the kids’ future.

But a source told the New York Post that Rowe will get a hefty settlement from her former mother-in-law, Katherine Jackson, in exchange for giving up her parental rights.

“It’s one final payday,” the insider said. “They felt it was like a ransom-type thing. [Rowe] jumped back into the picture because she wanted money.

“This would be it. This takes away any rights she has to challenge custody at any given time,” the source added.

“If something happens to Katherine, [Rowe] can’t challenge the next [guardian], whether that be Diana Ross or someone in the family.”

In a recent interview, Rowe said Jackson “didn’t keep his end” of their agreement.

“I want my children,” she said during a 90-minute phone conversation with NBCLA.

“I am stepping up. I have to.”

Tags: debbie rowe, michael jackson