Jackson Kids' Godfather: I Believe Paris Is My Daughter

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 9th 2009 10:33AM

A British tabloid reported Saturday that the godfather of Michael Jackson's three children claims to be the father of the singer's daughter Paris. The News of the World quotes Jackson's longtime friend Mark Lester as saying that he "gave Michael my sperm so that he could have kids -- and I believe Paris is my daughter."

The newspaper also quotes Lester, is a 51-year-old former child star known for his lead role in the 1968 movie version of the state show "Oliver!" as saying he's willing to take a paternity test.

In a video interview Lester said he donated his sperm at a London clinic. He said Jackson was married to Debbie Rowe at the time. "She's the birth mother of the children so I naturally assumed the sperm donation would obviously have gone into Debbie and Debbie would have borne the children," he said.

"It's been a secret for so long," Lester said. "In 1996 Michael asked me if I would give him my sperm and I said yes. It was a gift to him, no money was paid, it was something I was honored to do. He wanted children so badly."

"I'm the godparent to them and Michael was godparent to all my four kids. Our two families spent a lot of time together, and had a lot fun together. Now I'm not able to have any communication with the children. My repeated phone calls aren't returned and emails go unanswered."

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Memorable Michael Moments

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Memorable Michael Moments

Michael Jackson starred as the Scarecrow in the 1978 film 'The Wiz.'

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Oprah Winfrey interviewed Jackson in February of 1993.

Time showed off an Andy Warhol portrait on a 1984 cover at the height of his 'Thriller' popularity.

Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images

Michael Jackson is photographed with Brooke Shields in 1988.

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Michael Jackson hit the court with Michael Jordan during the video shoot for 'Jam' in 1992.

FOX / AP

Jackson attends a Pepsi press conference on February 3, 1992. Jackson accepted the largest individual sponsorship deal in history from Pepsi-Cola in 1983.

Steve Allen, Liaison / Getty Images

Jackson performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena in 1993. The halftime show was a ratings smash.

Rusty Kennedy, AP

Jackson and his wife Lisa Marie Presley kiss on the stage of Radio City Music Hall at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards. "And they said he wouldn't last," Jackson joked.

AFP / Getty Images

Wearing a black surgical mask, Jackson arrives with companion Debbie Rowe, mother to two of his children, at a performance of the play "Sisterella" in 1996.

Chris Pizzello, AP

Michael Jackson with baby son Prince and mother Debbie Rowe on cover of OK! Magazine in 1997.

OK! Magazine / AP

"It's a contact issue," he said on the video. "I dearly want to remain in contact with those kids and I feel now this is the only way I can ensure that."

Uri Geller, a close friend of Jackson's, said during a GMTV interview: "I have no reason to doubt Mark's story, simply because I remember years ago in New York, Michael implied to me that he wanted Mark to help him father a child for him."

Other reports indicate that Lester's words were misintrerpreted though, PEOPLE reports. "They twisted his words around. He's not claiming to be the father of Paris Jackson," says one close family source.

Jackson family attorney Londell McMillan adds that the story is just another unproven and meaningless claim, and the probate court has no reason to go against its finding that the late King of Pop is father to all three of his kids.

"These are just merely claims with no legal standing whatsoever," McMillan said.

Tags: michael jackson, MichaelJackson, paris jackson, ParisJackson

Comments

(597)

Monday 10 August

By justsmart

Vote down Vote up Report this

The kids are NOT brown/mixed. They are 100% not African American. When African American and Caucasians have children together, their skin color become what's known as light-skinned, "high yellow" or just plain "white." I know because I'm one of them. We always know our own kind. It's like saying that MJ was Caucasian. He wasn't. He may have tried to be - but he wasn't! OR may MJ just wanted to be light-skinned and appear as close to Caucasian color as he could. Not because he felt that being Caucasian was so great, but probably because he felt he needed to look a certain way to succeed in that business. Who knows what went on behind closed doors. IMO MJ also tried to be everything (from Black, to monkey looker, to kid, to adult, etc.) Who knows what was on his bruised mind. Summary: those children ARE NOT mixed with anything African American, no matter who claims it!

By Kloe

um, yes i think it is possible actually. there was a family in california, i think it was, where there were two white parents who had a black child. it just has to do with the genes. i guess unless any of us are experts on that matter, then we don't know who's right. i'm sure a paternity test would show if it was true. i feel so bad for those kids though. they are going through so much already!

By shell12

agreed.

Sunday 09 August

By star

These damn people who are all of a sudden interested in Michael Jacksons kids need to go back into the woods where they have remained hidden and unidentified for 12 years. All of a sudden they are "concerned". Give me a break!!! If you were really concerned you wouldn't have waited this long. I hate people who want to just be in the picture for monetary reasons then lie and say otherwise. Give us all a break and go OD your damn selves!!!

By Middle Class

I don't think ANYONE was concerned, when Michael was ALIVE to ensure the safety and welfare of his children.

The CONCERN for the children, should be welcomed considering Michael Jackson's history of being an abused child.

Michael's parents abused him. (Yes his mother ignoring the abuse does make her an abuser). I think the concerns should be taken seriously.

These kids mean nothing to Michael's parents, EXCEPT $ $ $ . Joe Jackson was spewing information about his record label, within hours of Michael's death, using the media for FREE advertising. Incomprehensible.

But go ahead, and call people who are concerned about the children "back woods." Shows YOUR IGNORANCE.

By Don

I fully agree with star has said, but one thing can take care of it all and that is a WILL!
Actually I would like to know where all of the so called "concerned" persons were at the time of birth or conception for that matter and all the years following????

By Tricia

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree with you. They need to get back into the woodwork. When you give a sperm or is a surrogate donor, you have no parental rights.

Its all about getting their hands on the 40% of Michael's estate left to the children. Should they press to get paternit; take the children and without a dime. That you be placed right out front. But there is a saving grace.. the children are old enough to understand who really cared for them and will in time will "despise" all these money grubbing 'new relatives.' All together-- these new family members are --Despicable!!

By Jeanette

Hi Star,
I agree with you the father is the one that takes the
time to care.As you said these people just want the money.They didn`t say anything while Micheal was alive why kiss and tell now.They need to get a life and leave the children alone.

By P D

Makes sense to me. I remember Mark as a child in "Oliver." Go back and see the photos via Google. A TON of folks will be doing that today!

By Seckcee1

I dont understand why this guy wants to come forward and claim to be Paris' father. The only father/dad that she has had is MJ so just let it be.

Wednesday 12 August

By susan

IT ALL ABOUT THE MONEY

By Richard

All the guy is asking for is to still be a part of their lives like it was when Michael was alive.

By Cornell33

MONEY AND WANTING 15 MINUTES OF FAME. SOME PEOPLE SAY THERE WANT TO BE A CELEBRITY. WHEN YOU ARE A CELEBRITY THIS WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE.

By Cheryl

I agree!! The purpose of a donor is just that, a DONOR(helping mankind)with no other legal attachments.

By wmkingsman

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

So how much longer are they going to stall on the Toxicology Reports ?? The guy was a walking pharmacy, and his family apparently doesn't want to deal with the fallout.

By mariamf56@aol.com

wow thisis really a drama who cares whos children are thjey from. Many people use this form of getting pregnant and never no one out there say by the way thats my sperm. No one is thinking about the childrens well being and for them to have a better future its all about money and greed Oh and someone wrote thats not his kids because as you can see they are white kids so ignorant i've seen many people have light skin children and they are not so called White people.

By greateridea

Being White doesn't necessarily mean Caucasian, but those children have absolutely no African features. I showed the picture of Michael's kids to a geneticist and she said the children are definetly someone elses. And remember Debbie Row could dispell all rumors by consenting for a DNA test, but she refuses.

By lee

Wow people did not read the article very well. It implies that the said biological father is concerned that the current guardianship will not let him see the children (Paris). Perhaps as long as Michael was alive all was well; but now that he is gone the Jackson family is afriad the bio father will make claims for the children (at least for Paris). It reads as if the said bio father does not intend to make claims for the children (Paris or whomever) as long as he is allowed to see them. I think this is where his concern lies. Understandably so. If he has been seeing her all along then why should he stop now.

Saturday 15 August

By cocogigo

None of MJ's kids look like him. Why didn't MJ donate his own sperm, even within a test tube? Why did he get it from others? On a different topic, why did MJ name two of his kids the same? Yes, MJ was a top notched artist who contributed so much in his short life, and we all should be grateful for him....but he WAS suffering from mental illness. Let's all just leave him alone.

By Patricia

Why is this man doing this to these children? They have already suffered a huge loss of their beloved father of heart! Leave them alone. Let them decide when they become adults, if they want to persue knowing who their biological father is. Now is not the time to confuse them. Respect them and let them mourn. It is obvious, Michael Jackson dearly loved those children and wanted to protect them. Respect that!

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