The musical legend’s sensational homes

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Bursting with incredible talent and ambition, the rags-to-riches Jackson family went from humble beginnings to living in fabulous style as their respective careers took off and propelled them to global superstardom.

From the family’s sprawling LA compound, Michael’s Neverland ranch and Janet’s swish New York condo, through to Paris Jackson’s haute hippie hangouts, click or scroll through to discover the dynasty’s most spectacular abodes.

The Jackson family’s first home, Gary, Indiana

littlenySTOCK / Shutterstock

Welcome to the place where it all began. The Jackson clan started out in this simple four-room Cape Cod-style ranch house on 2300 Jackson Street in hard-up Gary, Indiana. Incidentally, the street was named after the president, not the family.

Built in 1949, the home was purchased the following year by the father of the Jackson brood, steelworker Joe and his wife Katherine for $8,500 (£6,973), the equivalent of $106,000 (£85k) today.

But with so many kids crammed into the property, the first of whom, Rebbie, was born almost as soon as they moved in 1950, the place soon became cramped.

The Jackson 5

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Luckily, fame and fortune were beckoning. Joe cottoned on to his children’s talent early on and formed the Jackson Brothers quartet in 1964, which became the Jackson 5 the following year when Michael (middle) joined. Scraping together the money for professional equipment, Joe served as the group’s professional manager and booked a series of tour dates.

Their big break came in 1968 when the Jackson 5 won the amateur night talent show at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, wowing singers Gladys Knight, Bobby Taylor and Diana Ross, who persuaded Motown Records boss Berry Gordy to sign the quintet. Here they are in 1969 performing for the first time on TV for The Ed Sullivan Show.

A family heirloom

Raymond Boyd / Getty Images

The group’s rise to stardom was rapid, scoring their first US number one in 1969 with ‘I Want You Back’, which was also an international success. The boys and their father bid farewell to Gary and decamped to Los Angeles where they were subsequently joined by Katherine and the girls.

However, the family is still thought to own 2300 Jackson Street and various members have paid visits to the home over the years. This pic of Tito and his three sons, who make up the group 3T, was taken in 1995.

The Jackson family’s LA home, West Hollywood, California

Google Street View

On moving to Los Angeles, Joe and the boys initially lived out of hotels and resided with Berry Gordy and Diana Ross for a time before the Motown boss rented out this four-bedroom Mediterranean-style house in West Hollywood for the family.

They didn’t stay long, however, due to noise complaints from the neighbours (who clearly didn’t grasp how privileged they were to hear the kids rehearsing).

A Jackson 5 upgrade in Beverly Hills

Savills

In 1970, the Motown head-honcho moved his protégés to a much larger and more luxurious property, taking up residence in this nine-bedroom mansion on Beverly Hill’s Bowmont Drive. Jacksonmania was in full swing by this point: the group had notched up three US number ones that year and released their bestselling debut album, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5.

The Jackson’s Hayvenhurst estate, Encino, California

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

With the money flowing in, Joe and Katherine were soon able to splurge on a sprawling property for the family of 11 in upscale Encino. In 1971, the couple paid $250,000 (£205k), which translates to around $1.8 million (£1.4m) today, for a mid-century modern mansion dubbed Hayvenhurst in the swish Los Angeles neighbourhood.

The original home can be glimpsed in the background of this shot taken in 1972 of Randy, Janet, Michael and a woman who might possibly have been their nanny.

The Jackson’s Hayvenhurst estate, Encino, California

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

The Jackson 5 and their little brother Randy are shown in these pics captured in the early 1970s. The siblings were often pictured in the Encino property’s very 70s-looking living room, which boasted a spiral staircase that led to nowhere. You can just spot it in the upper right-hand corner of the picture on the right.

The curious piece was made famous when the group were photographed on it for their iconic Life magazine cover in 1971.

The Jackson’s Hayvenhurst estate, Encino, California

Chris Walter / WireImage / Getty Images

The Encino property was kitted out with fancy décor and furnishings including crystal chandeliers, custom cabinetry and ornate clocks, as you can see in this pic of Marlon, Michael, Randy, Jackie and Tito that was taken in the dining room in 1977.

Brother Randy had replaced Jermaine the previous year when the group left Motown for Epic and changed their name to simply ‘The Jacksons’. Jermaine opted to stay with Motown.

The Jackson’s Hayvenhurst estate, Encino, California

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

By 1977, the living room had been updated and the built-in bookshelves and staircase were varnished to resemble mahogany. Janet is absolutely beaming in this picture taken that year. She’s sitting on that famous staircase.

Behind her on the shelves are video cassettes, books and ornaments, including a snazzy model of a sailing boat. The family seem to have eclectic taste when it comes to decorating a home.

The Jackson’s Hayvenhurst estate, Encino, California

Michael Kovac / Getty Images

Michael began pursuing a solo career in 1971 that went stratospheric in 1979 with the release of his Off the Wall album, which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. At the time, Joe was having money issues and was struggling to pay the mortgage on the Encino mansion.

As a result, Michael, who had become the family’s breadwinner, ended up purchasing half the property for $500,000 (£410k) in 1981 (around $1.6 million (£1.3m) today) and split the remainder between his parents. He then had the home completely remodelled in a Disney-esque Tudor style, seen here.

This was also the beginning of his solo property journey…

The Jackson’s Hayvenhurst estate, Encino, California

GTCRFOTO / Alamy

The dramatic overhaul was two years in the making. By the time it was completed in 1983, Michael had released his Thriller LP, which eclipsed the sales of Off the Wall, shifting a staggering 70 million units globally. The following year, the King of Pop finally said goodbye to the Jacksons, quitting the group at the end of the Victory Tour in December 1984.

With his new-found solo fame, Michael began making some interesting changes inside the home as well as out…

The Jackson’s Hayvenhurst estate, Encino, California

Bettmann / Getty Images

Michael created an early version of his future Neverland ranch, installing a faux candy store, games room, 32-seat movie theatre and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs diorama. It took pride of place in the trophy room, which displayed the Jackson family’s collection of awards.

This pic of Michael and his favourite Disney characters was taken in the room in 1984.

The Jackson’s Hayvenhurst estate, Encino, California

David Hume Kennerly / Getty Images

This picture of Joe and Katherine Jackson in 1984 shows the overhauled mansion’s wood-panelled living room, which features an imposing bar. But Joe moved out after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit the area on January 17, 1994. Known as the Northridge earthquake, it was the first to strike directly under an urban area of the United States since the 1933 Long Beach earthquake and Joe was frightened he wouldn’t survive another.

The property has, however, remained with the Jackson clan, housing various family members from La Toya to Jermaine over the years, the most recent being Michael’s daughter Paris.

Michael Jackson’s condo, Encino, California

Chris Walter / WireImage / Getty Images

While Hayvenhurst was undergoing reconstruction, Michael decamped to a nearby three-bedroom condo in Encino that was purchased in 1981 for $205,000 (£168k), about $675,000 (£545k) today. Michael is said to have paid $175,000 (£143k), while his mother put up the remainder.

In a rare glimpse inside, Michael posed in front of some classic 80s floral wallpaper we’re sure has been updated since then, and by the Jacksons themselves as they still own the property. It has reportedly been used over the years by his brothers as a crash pad when their respective marriages hit the rocks.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch, Los Olivos, California

dpa picture alliance archive / Alamy Stock Photo

In 1983, Michael had stayed at the 2,700-acre Sycamore Valley Ranch in California’s Santa Ynez Valley while he was recording the video for ‘Say Say Say’ with Paul McCartney and fell in love with the place.

Michael finally moved out of the Encino family compound in 1988 after he bought the ranch for an estimated $19.5 million (£16m), around $49 million (£40m) in today’s money, renaming it Neverland. It was to become his most famous home.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch, Los Olivos, California

dpa picture alliance archive / Alamy Stock Photo

Neverland is, of course, the magical island in the Peter Pan books by JM Barrie. Michael set about creating his very own version of this as an amusement park on the site, funnelling tens of millions of dollars into the project.

The singer had two railways and a station built to complement the six-bedroom Tudor-style mansion that came with the property, and installed a petting zoo and numerous rides and rollercoasters.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch, Los Olivos, California

dpa picture alliance archive / Alamy Stock Photo

Neverland had everything from a Ferris wheel and pirate ship ride to a carousel and bumper cars. Michael hosted glittering events at the ranch, including the 1991 wedding of his close friends Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky, and often invited children to stay, sometimes without their parents or legal guardians present.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch, Los Olivos, California

dpa picture alliance archive / Alamy Stock Photo

Michael’s behaviour raised suspicions. Neverland was ransacked by police when allegations came to light and the singer was charged with child abuse in 2003.

He was eventually cleared of all charges, though 2019’s harrowing Leaving Neverland documentary has called the acquittal into question. Drowning in debt, the singer struggled to hold on to the property and Neverland was shut down in 2006.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch, Los Olivos, California

Suzanne Perkins / Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

After Michael defaulted on the ranch’s mortgage, investment firm Colony Capital bought a majority stake in Neverland in 2008 for $22.5 million (£18.2m). The amusement rides were removed and the property, which reverted to its original name, was eventually put up for sale in its entirety in 2015.

It was finally sold in 2021 to Michael’s former financial advisor, the billionaire Ronald W Burkle, for $22 million (£17.8m), well below its initial asking price of $100 million (£80.8m).

Michael Jackson’s Las Vegas rental mansions

The Agency

Becoming ever reclusive, Michael had moved out of Neverland in 2005 following the trial and lived in Bahrain according to The Guardian, before relocating to Las Vegas at the end of 2006.

There, he set up home with his three kids, Prince, Paris and Blanket (now Bigi), in this 17,461-square-foot mansion on the city’s South Monte Cristo Way.

Michael Jackson’s Las Vegas rental mansions

The Agency

Michael paid $50,000 (£40k) a month for the eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom property according to the realtor who cut the deal. Extra-secure and surrounded by a 10-foot wall, it features all the trappings of an A-list music star’s home, from a grand ballroom and orchestra loft to a massive home theatre, tennis courts and resort-style pool.

Michael Jackson’s Las Vegas rental mansions

Sotheby’s International Realty

The King of Pop, whose money problems were going from bad to worse, moved out of the South Monte Cristo Way property in 2007 and stayed in hotels with his kids before settling in 2008 in this Spanish Colonial-style beauty, the Hacienda Palomino in Las Vegas’ Rancho Oakey neighbourhood. Nicknamed the ‘Thriller Villa’ by the press, the beguiling estate spans 27,259 square feet and sits on 1.7 acres of grounds.

Michael Jackson’s Las Vegas rental mansions

Sotheby’s International Realty

The property consists of a four-bedroom, nine-bathroom main house, a guest house with a further three bedrooms and a two-storey, 74-seat ‘Medieval chapel’, as well as a bell tower.

The main salon, shown here in all its glory, is said to have been Michael’s favourite room. It was rented at an undisclosed price by the superstar, meaning it probably wasn’t cheap.

Michael Jackson’s Holmby Hills rental château

The Agency

In early 2009, Michael and his children upped sticks to this stunning French château estate in Los Angeles’ Holmby Hills, which the troubled artist rented for a reported $100,000 (£81k) a month.

Despite mounting health issues, the hitmaker was preparing for a sell-out tour in a bid to balance the books and resolve his financial problems once and for all.

Michael Jackson’s Holmby Hills rental château

The Agency

Spanning 17,171 square feet, the seven-bedroom, 14-bathroom property is one of the most palatial in Los Angeles and wows with a plethora of elegant reception rooms, a theatre, wine cellar and tasting room, and other amenities fit for a king (of pop).

But as it turned out, the ailing celebrity’s time in the mansion was cut shockingly short…

Michael Jackson’s Holmby Hills rental château

Tommaso Boddi / WireImage / Getty Images

On 25 June 2009, Michael, who was aged 50, died in the mansion of a heart attack brought on by a lethal dose of the potent anaesthetic propofol, administered by his personal doctor, who was subsequently convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Following the megastar’s death, the mansion was cleared out and its contents, including antique furniture, artworks and other collectables, were put up for auction.

Although possibly the most famous of the Jackson family, what about his equally successful siblings?

Janet Jackson leaves the family nest

Vinnie Zuffante / Getty Images

Janet left Hayvenhurst in 1984, moving to New York City for her role in the TV series Fame. That same year, she eloped with singer James DeBarge (pictured) and returned to the family home with her husband, but the marriage was annulled in 1985.

The following year, the up-and-coming artist released her breakout album Control, which spawned hit after hit, and in 1987 she quit Hayvenhurst for good to shack up with boyfriend René Elizondo Jr.

Janet Jackson’s townhouse, MountainGate, Brentwood, California

Berggruen Property

Details of where the couple moved to are hard to find, but according to an article in the LA Times from 1990, she’d bought a townhouse in Brentwood’s MountainGate development.

It was sold in 1993 to Oscar-winning actress and The Partridge Family star Shirley Jones and her husband, the comedian Marty Ingels.

Janet Jackson’s gated home in Northridge’s Ridgegate community

Google Earth

Also in 1990, it appears the artist, who’d followed up on the success of Control with the even more successful Rhythm Nation 1814, snagged a five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in a gated community in LA’s Northridge for $790,000 (£648k), about $1.8 million (£1.4m) in today’s money.

Although Janet was making more than enough from her solo career, some sources state it was owned by her other half. In any case, the property was quit-claimed (meaning Janet gave up any rights to the property) to Elizondo following the couple’s split in 2000.

Janet Jackson’s mansion, Rancho Santa Fe, California

Google Earth

Janet went on something of a house-buying spree in 1990, as she also snapped up this new-build six-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom Mediterranean-style mansion in rural Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego.

As per official records, she paid $4 million (£3.3m) – the equivalent of $9.2 million (£7.4m) today – for the 9,060-square-foot property, but ended up selling it at a million-dollar loss in 1997.

Janet’s Jackson’s Malibu beachhouse

Hilton & Hyland

In 1991, Janet flexed her real estate chops again by snagging this dreamy five-bedroom, five-bathroom Malibu beach house for $4.1 million (£3.4m), around $9 million (£7.3m) today, which she went on to sell in 1994 for a decent profit at $8.5 million (£7m), or $17.2 million (£13.9m) when adjusted for inflation. It was recently leased via Hilton & Hyland for a hefty $80,000 (£64k) per month.

Janet Jackson’s Trump apartment, Midtown, NYC

emin kuliyev / Shutterstock

Janet eventually spent more weeks than Michael on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1998, solidifying her solo artist skills. The superstar complemented her success with a corner unit apartment on the 34th floor of the amenity-loaded Trump International Hotel and Tower at 1 Central Park West in Midtown Manhattan. The hitmaker parted with $2.8 million (£2.3m), about $5 million (£4.2m) today, to clinch the deal.

Janet Jackson’s Trump apartment, Midtown, NYC

Sotheby’s International Realty

Spread across 2,100 square feet, the stunning residence features three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and a generously sized open-plan living and dining room, with floor-to-ceiling windows that maximise the breathtaking views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

Janet opted for minimal Japanese-influenced décor that really sets off the remarkable vistas.

Janet Jackson’s Trump apartment, Midtown, NYC

Sotheby’s International Realty

The master suite is equally tasteful, but Janet had other places to live in mind, having relocated to London in 2012. Janet rented out the apartment for a time for $35,000 (£28k) a month.

Her last stay there was in 2019 and she made the decision in 2022 to put the property on the market. The pad was listed for $9 million (£7.3m) but sold in the summer via Sotheby’s International Realty for $8.8 million (£7.1m).

Janet Jackson’s Bel Air house flip

Westside Estate Agency

Away from the busy New York City, in 1999, Janet acquired this five-bedroom, nine-bathroom Tudor-style mansion in Bel Air for $6.5 million (£5.3m), around $12 million (£9.7m) today.

But she sold it the following year to hotshot Hollywood movie exec Harry Sloan for $9.5 million, the equivalent of $16.5 million (£13.3m) now, pocketing a sizeable profit.

Janet Jackson’s elegant townhouse, Belgravia, London, UK

cktravels.com / Shutterstock

Janet decamped to London in 2012 after tying the knot with Qatari tycoon Wissam Al Mana. The couple welcomed son Eissa in 2017 but broke up not long after.

The family of three were living in a six-bedroom, five-bathroom townhouse on the prestigious Chester Square in London’s Belgravia district (pictured), which was purchased in 2008 for $18 million (£14.5m) and is now worth in the region of $31 million (£25m). Janet and her son reportedly still reside in the uber-posh area.

Marlon Jackson’s Hamptons-style estate, Encino, California

Compass

Returning to the lesser-well-known siblings of Michael and Janet, Jermaine and other family members have lived in the Hayvenhurst bolthole over the years, though they’ve owned properties of their own, too.

Marlon bought this six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom Hamptons-style Encino compound in 1981 for the equivalent of $2.8 million (£2.3m) today, which the Jacksons used as a recording studio. It was sold in 1996 for $650,000 (£533k), which is $1.2 million (£1m) when adjusted for inflation.

Tito Jackson’s gated home, Woodland Hills, California

Pinnacle Estate Properties

Tito Jackson has also owned homes of his own. They include this three-bedroom, three-bathroom modern gated property in California’s Woodland Hills. The recording artist purchased the property in 1998 for $437,000 (£358k) , which is around $800,000 (£646k) today. It was sold in 2020 for almost a million dollars.

Katherine Jackson’s Calabasas mansion

Realtor.com

Following Michael’s death, his mother Katherine was given custody of his three children. Together with her grandchildren, she was living at the Hayvenhurst compound in 2009, but the family moved out in 2010 as the estate was undergoing renovation.

They moved into this five-bedroom, 10-bathroom Tuscan-style mansion in the upscale LA neighbourhood of Calabasas, which has been home to the Kardashians, Drake, Justin Bieber and other big stars in its time.

Katherine Jackson’s Calabasas mansion

latoyajackson / Instagram

The property was rented for around $27,000 (£22k) per month before it was acquired in 2014 by the Michael Jackson Estate for $10.75 million (£8.7m). The mansion wows with gorgeous, marble-clad interiors, as you can see from the picture of the foyer posted by La Toya Jackson on her Instagram in 2016.

Katherine Jackson’s Calabasas mansion

latoyajackson / Instagram

Here’s a snap of the kitchen taken by La Toya at Thanksgiving 2016. Tito’s son TJ, the youngest member of the group 3T, and father to four kids of his own, went on to share guardianship of Blanket (now Bigi), as well as Paris and Prince, before the children hit 18.

TJ assumed full custody of Bigi in 2017. They all lived together in the Calabasas mansion along with Katherine and TJ’s wife Frances.

Paris Jackson’s starter home, Topanga Canyon, California

RE/MAX

Prince was the first of Michael’s kids to turn 18, though it appears he has chosen to stay at the Calabasas mansion. Paris, the second to reach adulthood, opted to flee the nest following her 18th birthday in 2016.

After living alone for a time at the Hayvenhurst estate guesthouse (as reported by TMZ), she bought her first home in leafy Topanga Canyon in western LA, paying $1.95 million (£1.6m) for the property. Not bad for a starter home.

Paris Jackson’s starter home, Topanga Canyon, California

parisjackson / Instagram

Known for her boho lifestyle, the model and folk-pop singer lived with a group of friends in the rustic five-bedroom, five-bathroom retreat, which was likened to a sort of hippie commune.

This pic posted to Paris’ Instagram shows her jamming with her buddies in the property’s living room, you can almost smell the patchouli wafting around. The housemates reportedly included Marlon Brando’s granddaughter Prudence and model Ashley Danielle Craig.

Paris Jackson’s luxe cabin in the Hollywood Hills

Sotheby’s International Realty

Paris quit the Topanga Canyon pad in 2020, offloading the property for just over $2.3 million (£1.9m). In summer 2022, she snagged her second home, this even more hippie-esque cabin in the Hollywood Hills. The blissed-out three-bedroom, two-bathroom sanctuary set her back around $3.8 million (£3.1m).

Paris Jackson’s luxe cabin in the Hollywood Hills

Sotheby’s International Realty

Paris bought the property from Maroon 5 keyboardist Jesse Carmichael. Previously, it was home to kd lang and Rock Hudson.

Tucked away among the trees behind high walls for extra privacy, the 2,960-square-foot hideaway consists of a cosy house, dinky music studio and the most charming little art studio, set in whimsically romantic grounds that feature a free-form saltwater pool.

Paris Jackson’s luxe cabin in the Hollywood Hills

parisjackson / Instagram

The agency in charge of the sale, Sotheby’s International Realty, didn’t release any interior images with the listing, but Paris has since posted a few on her Instagram, including this shot of the Wicca practitioner’s magical bedroom suite.

It encompasses the entire lower level of the house and is kitted out with a seating area, fireplace, dressing room, walk-in closet and more.

Bigi Jackson’s Calabasas starter home

parisjackson / Instagram

Pictured on the left at Christmas 2017 with ‘brother’ Omar Bhatti, Paris and Prince, Bigi, formerly Blanket, has largely shunned the limelight, though he was active for a time on his movie review YouTube channel. Bigi was under the guardianship of TJ at the time this pic was taken.

Bigi Jackson’s Calabasas starter home

Compass

Literally days after his 18th birthday in 2020, the youngest child of the King of Pop bought himself a swish starter home in Calabasas, paying a little over $2.6 million (£2.1m) for the property.

Protected from prying eyes and the glare of the paparazzi in a guarded gated community, the six-bedroom, seven-bathroom Mediterranean-style mansion is reassuringly secure.

Bigi Jackson’s Calabasas starter home

Compass

As is evident from this pic of the double-height entrance hall, the manse is as classy as they come in this part of the world, with a fancy curved staircase, hardwood floors throughout and other premium touches.

Highlights include the gourmet chef’s kitchen, amenity-heavy master suite and outdoor pool and spa. We would expect nothing less for a descendant of music’s royal family.