Michael Jackson is seen below a little less than 3 years before his death celebrating one of his final birthdays with his cherished children. The rare throwback photo was posted by his longtime nanny, Grace Rwaramba. Rwaramba shared the snap around August 29, 2026, which would have been the King of Pop’s 68th birthday.
The photo shows the “Thriller” singer marking his 48th birthday by enjoying a simple at-home party with his three children, Prince, Paris, and Bigi (formerly known by his childhood nickname of “Blanket”). Michael is dressed in a casual long-sleeved red top with shades, and the children are sporting comfy-looking t-shirts. Paris appears to have a crown on her head, and simple decorations have been put up including a “Happy Birthday” sign and a string of balloon-printed flags.
The nanny, who spent a total of around 17 years working with the entertainer, wrote alongside the snap that MJ’s favorite birthdays were “the simple ones.” She reminisced, “The kids would pick out things he already owned and wrap them ‘all raggedy,’ as he loved to say. They’d present the gifts over donuts, a plain cake, or their favorite junk food.”
She added that Michael required each child to give an effort at making a “birthday speech” before diving into the sugary treats.
When Did Michael Jackson Live in Ireland?
According to Rwaramba, the party’s location was Luggala Estate in County Wicklow, Ireland. The Guardian says the “Off the Wall” singer and his children first set up a serene life in Ireland around the summer of 2006.
In the fall of 2006, he and the famous children relocated to County Westmeath, moving into a converted cowshed which was scouted by Rwaramba herself, who arrived saying she wanted to evaluate the building’s fitness for “an A-list popstar.” She declined to name Michael while house hunting, the report says.
The structure, known as Grouse Lodge, is surrounded by peaceful old farmland, per the report, making it an ideal spot for the icon and his kids to avoid the glare of the public and paparazzi.
The piece notes that MJ’s visitors at the residence included music producers Will.I.Am and Rodney Jerkins, who flew there to work on new material with the star.
Why Did Michael Jackson Celebrate His Birthday If He Was a Jehovah’s Witness?
Michael Jackson was raised in his mother Katherine’s Jehovah’s Witness faith, and members famously do not celebrate their birthdays. The Los Angeles Times reported in 1987 that the superstar had opted to part ways with the church. The report stated Michael had “dropped out” of the religion, a fact the newspaper says they learned from a representative of the Woodland Hills congregation to which MJ reportedly belonged.
Still, he continued to stay away from celebrating his birthdays in major ways, preferring to keep the celebrations simple, according to his daughter Paris.
Back in 2023, the “Notes on a Ghost” songwriter stated in a video on her Instagram Stories that her father “used to hate anybody acknowledging his birthday, wishing him a happy birthday, celebrating it – nothing like that.”
Despite his preference for keeping his birthday low-key, Michael did accept birthday songs and congratulations from his concert audiences in the ’80s and beyond. His sister Janet has also noted that Michael partook in sending birthday wishes to his siblings. As she turned 60, the “Rhythm Nation” singer mused that her brother would have probably been the first to call and wish her a special day.
