Where things stand · 2026
Nearly 17 years after his death, Michael Jackson's estate is one of the most lucrative in entertainment — and 2024–2026 has brought a landmark catalog sale, the loss of a longtime executor, a hit biopic carried by his nephew, and ongoing courtroom friction. Here's the current picture, with fast-moving figures date-stamped.
The estate
Jackson died deeply in debt — roughly $331 million against his assets. Executors John Branca and John McClain rebuilt it through This Is It, two Cirque du Soleil shows, the MJ Broadway musical, and catalog deals; by 2018 cumulative posthumous earnings reached about $2.4 billion. In February 2024, Sony Music acquired roughly half of Jackson's music assets (recordings + publishing, plus his Mijac catalog) for a reported ~$600 million, valuing the full catalogue in the $1.2–1.5 billion range — one of the largest deals ever for a single artist.
A change at the top · 2026Co-executor John McClain died on May 26, 2026, at 71, leaving John Branca as the sole acting executor. As of this writing (June 2026), no successor co-executor had been publicly named — a developing situation.
In the courts
Katherine Jackson vs. the estate. Michael's mother — 96 years old as of 2026 — opposed the 2024 Sony catalog sale, arguing it conflicted with her son's wishes. A California appeals court ruled in 2024 that the estate could proceed, rejecting her objections. A separate request that the estate cover her legal fees was denied; executors noted she had already received more than $55 million.
The children vs. the executors. In a distinct dispute, Michael's children challenged executor fees and oversight. In August 2025 Paris Jackson moved against fees paid to outside lawyers, and in May 2026 a judge ruled in her favor, ordering over $625,000 returned to the estate. Prince, Paris, and Bigi have jointly pressed for the estate's 2025 accounting. (These matters are ongoing as of June 2026.)
On screen & on tour
The estate's biggest current project is the 2026 biopic Michael (Antoine Fuqua), in which Jaafar Jackson — Jermaine's son and Michael's nephew — plays his uncle in his film debut, with Prince Jackson as an executive producer. After an April 2026 release it became a major box-office hit (worldwide gross around $888 million as of June 8, 2026, and climbing). The full story of the movie →
The brothers, The Jacksons, remain an active touring act — now centered on Jackie and Marlon (with Jermaine associated and Tito's sons helping carry it) — following founding guitarist Tito Jackson's death in September 2024. The next generation, especially the trio 3T (Tito's sons Taj, Taryll & TJ) and Jaafar, increasingly carries the family name.
Giving back
What Michael started, and what his family runs today — clearly marked active or defunct.
Founded 2016 by Prince Jackson & John Muto for underserved LA youth — fitness, social-emotional learning, cooking classes, a school partnership, and the annual "Thriller Night" fundraiser at the family's Hayvenhurst estate. Its motto, "make that change," echoes his father.
A registered nonprofit run by 3T (Taj, Taryll & TJ) in memory of their mother — helping children process grief and loss through music therapy ("Music Heals").
Michael's daughter is an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation — founded by her godmother — continuing Taylor's work against HIV/AIDS stigma.
The estate makes donations in Michael's name — e.g., $300,000 split across Broadway Cares, MusiCares, and a Las Vegas food bank for COVID-19 relief in 2020.
Michael's own 1992 foundation — the Sarajevo airlift, children to Neverland, a Super Bowl performance. It lost its tax-exempt status in 2002 and wound down; the estate now holds the name/trademark, but the original charity is no longer active. His philanthropy →
Sources