Jackson Family

Michael Jackson went to such extremes to hide his children from the public, it seems shocking they're doing a reality TV series -- but Prince, Paris and Blanket are only doing what they want to do ... according to their cousins.

TJ Jackson and his brothers Taryll and Taj joined us on TMZ Live to talk about "The Jacksons: Next Generation." TJ has a unique perspective on how Michael's kids are raised ... since he was named their legal co-guardian a few years ago.

Tito's sons revealed why their younger cousins were starting to feel trapped by their secluded lifestyle -- and it sounds like the Lifetime docuseries is giving them a chance to turn that around.

Check it out ... TJ seems wise beyond his 37 years, and talks about wanting to make his uncle MJ proud.

The people who run Michael Jackson's Estate are considering opening up the family home in Encino, CA to tourists ... the home where MJ recorded his biggest hits, including "Billie Jean."

Sources familiar with the situation tell us, the Estate is noodling the idea of Hollywood tour buses and individuals making the trek to the property and then taking a room-by-room tour.

After Michael bought the house for his family, he tore it down and then built a new one, which included a recording studio where he laid down the tracks for "Billie Jean," "We Are the World," "Beat It," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," and many others.

Michael also built a 2-story wing which served as his separate living quarters.

Our sources say nothing's in cement ... the Estate is currently exploring the idea and also checking to see if the zoning laws would allow it, and if not whether they could get a variance.

Joe Jackson has reportedly suffered a stroke that left him at the very least temporarily blind.

Jackson family sources confirm to TMZ, Joe was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo after reportedly waking up Sunday feeling dizzy, with no vision.

Joe, who has diabetes, was in the city for his 87th birthday party that was being thrown for him.

These pics were taken hours before the reported stroke.

La Toya Jackson is a believer, and seems to think the eerie image of Michael Jackson in the middle of a thunder storm is the real deal.

We got La Toya and ex-fiance Jeffré Phillips were leaving Macau restaurant in Hollywood -- which they raved about -- when our photog showed M.J.'s older sis the pic.

La Toya doesn't think it's a mind trick at all.

As for her and her ex-fiance, they're together-ish, but they seem to have different views on the relationship.

Michael Jackson died 6 years ago today, and TMZ has learned his estate went from the brink of bankruptcy to financial fortune ... and his kids are now better off than their famous dad.

Sources familiar with the financials tell TMZ, the estate has grossed nearly $2 billion since MJ's death. The money comes from the movies "This is It," the Cirque show "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour," 50 million albums sold and various other ventures.

After expenses, that $2 bil gets whittled down to around $800 million -- which is a very good return.

But the $800 mil gets significantly cut by taxes ... we're told to around $450 mil.

MJ's debts at the time of his death were around $500 million, so just on those 2 numbers the estate approaches being in the black.

But there are other ventures, like Sony, where the estate generates a lot of cash.

As for Michael's kids, there's a trust where millions gets distributed as they get older.

Our sources familiar with the financials tell TMZ ... if the estate were completely liquidated today, each kid would get around $100 million.

Not a bad bounce back from the edge of bankruptcy.

Joe and Katherine Jackson don't get together often, but they put aside their differences to celebrate Michael Jackson's firstborn graduating from high school.

According to our sources, the family shindig for Prince Jackson went down Saturday afternoon at Joe's house in Encino. We're told it was a small gathering -- about 35 people or so -- with Prince's aunts, uncles and cousins making up most of the crowd.

The party was catered, but just typical party food ... nothing too fancy ... especially considering how filthy rich the guest of honor is. Uncle Jackie and Grandpa Joe made speeches, along with Prince.

Prince graduated Saturday from the exclusive Buckley School -- and says he's going to LMU School of Film and Television ... following in the footsteps of other celeb kids Colin Hanks and Scott Eastwood.

Prince Jackson proudly donned a cap and gown Saturday as he became a high school graduate ... with honors no less.

Michael Jackson's oldest son got his diploma from the exclusive Buckley School in the San Fernando Valley.

La Toya, Katherine, Paris and other family members cheered Prince on. When Prince's name was announced the fam stood up, screamed and whistled. He flashed a big smile as he grabbed his diploma.

Prince has dabbled in entertainment -- appearing in the finale of "90210" -- but for now he's going the college route, but he's not going too far. Prince says he's going to Loyola Marymount University in L.A.

Joe Jackson and Chris Brown came together Thursday during the Cannes Film Festival, and it's no surprise because they have a very strong, common bond.

Brown has made no bones about it ... Michael Jackson was a hugely influential figure in his life and shaped his own singing and dancing.

And on the subject of singing and dancing ... Chris performed sitting down during what appears to be a fancy lunch at the insanely pricey Eden Beach hotel.

Jermaine Jackson has a laissez-faire attitude when it comes to his niece Paris Jackson, because he's down with her getting hitched at 17 if she's truly in love.

Paris and BF Chet Castellaw were photographed Saturday coming out of a Calabasas coffee shop and she was wearing a ring on her engagement finger. Thing is ... there are no diamonds in the setting, and it would seem the 18-year-old soccer player would show due matrimonial respect.

Nonetheless, check out Jermaine and his snappy duds.

Paris Jackson's coffee run with her BF is stirring some buzz she might be engaged -- but a closer look has us thinking ... it's not all that serious yet.

17-year-old Paris and Chet Castellaw -- an 18-year-old soccer player for Real So Cal -- hit up a coffee shop in Calabasas on Saturday, and when they walked out photogs were laser focused on the ring finger of her left hand.

Yes, Paris and Chet have been posting a bunch of cute coupley pics on social media -- and, YES ... she is sporting a ring where engagement jewelry traditionally goes.

Now, the reality check -- we're not seeing any diamonds, and if you were proposing to Michael Jackson's daughter ... you'd deliver a little ice. No?

9:55 AM PT -- Katherine's attorney, Perry Sanders, says, "Mrs. Jackson adamantly denies that she was advised of any sort of sexual harassment before Ms. Chase was relieved of her duties." He adds, "Sometimes people are discharged for one reason and wrongly think it is for a different reason. At any rate, a full investigation is underway and I suspect we have a misunderstanding that hopefully gets cleared up soon."

Michael Jackson's former chef claims while she was cookin' for Katherine Jackson's family, her nephew sexually harassed her, and when the cook asked for some kitchen aid, Katherine blew her off ... and now she's threatening a lawsuit.

You may recall Kai Chase ... she was in MJ's home the day he died and made the rounds on TV in the months that followed. Kai took a cooking job with Katherine in 2012 for $96k a year.

She says it didn't go well, because Trent Jackson, Katherine's nephew and confidante, was a real horndog. She claims he would approach her from behind and make grunting sounds, whisper sexual remarks in her ear, stare her up and down in a sexual manner, and sit in front of her in the kitchen with his legs open in a sexually suggestive manner.

Kai, who sent a demand letter to Katherine last month for money, claims she complained to the matriarch, and Katherine first apologized but then pooh-poohed her complaints, asking Kai to just tolerate Trent.

Kai claims in her letter she was fired shortly after she complained, and she was given a lame reason ... she "did not appear happy."

La Toya Jackson was out to dinner with the man we thought was her fiancé, but it turns out ... they called off their engagement and didn't tell anyone.

They seemed serious as they left Mastro's Thursday night.

La Toya chimed in from the passenger seat that Jeffre Phillips was a truth-teller. When our photog scoffed, Jeffre reiterated.

Michael Jackson's son could be the next great boxing prodigy -- because Floyd Mayweather says he is going to PERSONALLY train Prince Jackson ... now that he's apparently joined The Money Team.

Floyd was PUMPED when he saw the pics of Prince rollin' around Calabasas this weekend in a truck covered in "The Money Team" decals -- and yesterday, Mayweather told us he can't wait to train the kid.

"I haven't worked with him yet, but I look forward to working with him when I get back to Las Vegas," Mayweather told TMZ Sports.

But Prince's uncle Jermaine Jackson says all is not as it appears ... telling TMZ Sports his nephew is NOT an official TMT member and only got into the TMT vehicle because he likes big trucks.

Doesn't seem to matter to Floyd ... at this point, seems Prince is officially in the crew ... whether Jermaine likes it or not.

There's only been ONE person who spent his fortune more recklessly than Floyd Mayweather ... and now that person's son is an official member of Floyd's "Money Team."

Prince Michael Jackson was rollin' through Calabasas this weekend -- with "The Money Team" decals plastered all over his tricked out GMC truck ... joining other TMT members like Warren Buffett, Justin Bieber and Lil Wayne.

Prince is a HUUUGE fight fan -- and has been training in jiu-jitsu at the renowned Gracie Academy in Beverly Hills. Clearly, he's into boxing as well.

For the record, Floyd's spending sprees DON'T HOLD A CANDLE to MJ's shopping habits ... especially in Vegas, where Michael would spend MILLIONS of dollars in a matter of minutes.

Jermaine Jackson's hair is keeping a secret ... and it has to do with The Jackson Five.

We ran into Jermaine in Calabasas Thursday ... and what he told us is mind-bending. Look at his hair today, and look at a picture of him back in the day when he sang with Michael.

Is it really possible by un-greasing Jermaine he could go back to his ABC days?

Mind-bending, right?

Jermaine Jackson's hair is ... well, unexplainable.