Why Did Michael Jackson Name His Son Blanket? An In-Depth Look at the Life of Bigi Jackson
Michael Jackson took extreme measures to shield his children, especially youngest son Blanket, from media scrutiny. Jackson would cover Blanket‘s face with blankets in public, worried that paparazzi would capture his image. This habit led to the child‘s nickname growing up – Blanket. Keep reading for the inside story on Blanket, now known as Bigi Jackson, and Michael‘s fiercely protective yet controversial parenting style.
Blanket Jackson Earns an Unusual Nickname
In 2002, Michael Jackson welcomed his third child, Prince Michael Jackson II, through an anonymous surrogate. As the pop icon‘s youngest son, the child affectionately became known as "Blanket" to family members and the public.
So where did this quirky nickname come from? Jackson was extremely cautious about shielding his children from fame‘s harsh glare following his own troubled upbringing. According to Michael‘s longtime friend Mark Lester, Jackson would drape blankets over Prince Michael II‘s head and face whenever they ventured out in public together.
Jackson intended for the blankets to hide his son‘s identity and prevent the paparazzi from photographing him. However, the tactic soon earned the boy his humorous moniker – Blanket.
Michael Jackson: A Doting Yet Unconventional Father
Michael Jackson undeniably shared a profoundly close bond with all three of his children, especially Blanket. By most accounts, the pop legend was a gentle, affectionate father who treasured time with his kids. However, Jackson‘s childlike lifestyle and unusual behaviors raised eyebrows regarding how he parented.
For instance, Jackson made his sprawling Neverland Ranch into a fantasy playground full of toys, rides, and zoo animals. He openly let young boys, like his nephews and later his own children, share his bed during extensive "sleepovers." Understandably, these slumber parties and lavish spoiling led to accusations that Jackson was inappropriately "babying" the children.
Additionally, Jackson went to great lengths to cover up his children‘s faces and seclude them from society. Prince, Paris, and Blanket were often only spotted in public wearing masks or elaborate cloth coverings. Many saw this as evidence of questionable parenting that could seriously impact the kids‘ social development.
Still, those close to Jackson insist his priority was protecting his children‘s wellbeing and privacy. The wounds of Michael‘s own traumatic childhood heavily influenced his parenting decisions, for better and worse.
The Meaning Behind Blanket‘s Birth Name
Though known by his nickname Blanket, Michael Jackson‘s youngest son was born Prince Michael Jackson II in 2002. The name paid tribute to his father and grandfather – Deceased pop legend Michael Jackson and Michael‘s father, Joe Jackson. Thus, Prince Michael II combined the names of two generations of musical icons in the Jackson family.
Michael opted not to disclose the identity of Prince Michael II‘s biological mother when announcing his birth. The child was born via an anonymous surrogate, a sensational decision at the height of Michael‘s fame.
Inside Blanket‘s Life and Relationship with His Father
By most accounts, Blanket Jackson shared an incredibly close bond with his superstar father prior to Michael‘s shocking death in 2009. They were often pictured holding hands or with Michael cradling his son in his arms. As Michael‘s youngest child, Blanket reportedly held a special place in the singer‘s heart.
Mark Lester, Michael‘s longtime friend and the godfather of his children, described their connection to Britain‘s Daily Mail:
"It was reminiscent of the relationship Michael had with his own father — loving but strict…Michael was a loving father but there was a real fatherly strictness in the house with the children."
Michael often brought Blanket along for business meetings, interviews, and other engagements. However, he‘d obscure the boy‘s face with a cloth or mask, or simply have Blanket hide behind him. This demonstrated Michael‘s extreme protectiveness regarding his youngest son‘s privacy.
Tragically, Blanket was only 7 years old when he lost his doting father. However, Michael‘s love and teachings have stayed with Blanket as he‘s grown into young adulthood.
Inside the Jackson Estate: How Much is Blanket Set to Inherit?
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total net worth of Michael Jackson‘s estate | $2.5 billion |
| Annual earnings of estate since Michael‘s death | $800 million – $1 billion |
| Estimated inheritance for each Jackson child | $100 – $200 million |
Since Michael Jackson‘s shocking death in 2009, his estate has earned an astounding fortune through music sales, licensing deals, merchandise, the "This Is It" film, and more.
Currently, Michael‘s mother Katherine Jackson oversees his estate alongside lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain. Michael‘s three children – Prince, Paris, and Blanket (Bigi) – stand to inherit the bulk of this estate eventually.
Most estimates place each child‘s inheritance in the range of $100 – $200 million or more. Given these staggering sums, Blanket and his siblings will be set financially for life thanks to their late father‘s legacy.
Blanket Grows Up: His Life and Name Change Today
Blanket Jackson made headlines in 2015 when he changed his name to Bigi Jackson upon turning 18. According to Michael‘s nephew Taj, Bigi chose to abandon his childhood nickname due to bullying at school.
"He was just ridiculed," Taj said in a 2017 interview. "They would make fun of his name and call him ‘Blanket‘."
Now 20 years old, Bigi leads a relatively low-profile life focused on his education. He graduated from high school in 2021 and reportedly enrolled at a local community college near the Jackson family compound in Calabasas, California.
His brother Prince revealed that Bigi hopes to become a director one day, inspired by their father‘s love of cinema. Though Bigi has largely shunned the spotlight, he makes occasional public appearances with siblings Prince and Paris to honor their late father.
Bigi may never escape his father‘s larger-than-life legacy, but it‘s clear he carries Michael‘s spirit and talents while crafting his own identity. His name change marks Blanket Jackson‘s evolution into Bigi – a young man embracing adulthood on his own terms.