Paris Jackson Goes ‘Home’ to Neverland Ranch
You can go home again — just ask Paris Jackson.
The 18-year-old daughter of the late Michael Jackson returned to Neverland Ranch this week. Referring to the Los Olivos, Calif., estate as “home,” she checked out the train station and petting zoo with boyfriend Michael Snoddy, getting friendly with llamas and goats named Rickie, Survivor, and Kyle.
my new friends, Rickie, Survivor, and Kyle 🙂
A video posted by Paris-Michael K. Jackson (@parisjackson) on Oct 5, 2016 at 5:24pm PDT
“Felt so good to be home, even for a little bit,” Paris shared on Instagram.
The King of Pop bought the lavish home, Sycamore Valley Ranch, which sits on 2,700 acres, for $19.5 million in 1987 and turned it into a Peter Pan-inspired amusement park. It was his home base — and home for Paris and her brothers Prince Michael, 19, and Blanket, 14 — until 2003, when it was raided by authorities amid child molestation accusations. After that — and being acquitted during a trial — the singer felt the property had been tainted, and he became more reclusive, living in Bahrain, Las Vegas, and Europe, with his family.
felt so good to be home even for a little bit.
A photo posted by Paris-Michael K. Jackson (@parisjackson) on Oct 5, 2016 at 5:10pm PDT
Jackson’s financial problems included the maintenance of Neverland. While living abroad, he failed to pay staffers and insurance. When the property nearly went into foreclosure, he convinced an investment company to buy it in 2008. He died a year later.
A photo posted by Paris-Michael K. Jackson (@parisjackson) on Oct 5, 2016 at 5:09pm PDT
Paris and her siblings have visited the estate on several occasions since their dad’s death and were said to be upset by its rundown state. According to reports, they worked with Colony Capital to renovate it. (The siblings are still investors in the property because Michael retained an unknown stake.) The amusement park rides were removed — as were the exotic circus animals (remember Bubbles?). However, the railroad tracks and train station, which Paris shared a photo of, remain. The landscaping was also upgraded.
Last year, the ranch was put on the market for $100 million. The hope was that someone with “an appreciation for its history” would buy it.
Paris’s interest in her father’s history isn’t limited to visits to Neverland. She and her sibs have also made multiple visits to Gary, Ind., Jackson’s hometown, since his death.
