Michael Jackson’s deep love and devotion to his children are well-known, but a remarkable story surrounding the birth of his daughter Paris offers a rare glimpse into the intensity of his emotions and his uniquely personal way of preserving family memories.

According to multiple sources—and Jackson’s own words—he was so overwhelmed when Paris was born in 1998 that he took her home immediately, still covered in placenta, and later had the placenta frozen as a keepsake.

Verifying the Unconventional Incident

This extraordinary anecdote first surfaced in Jackson’s 2003 interview with Martin Bashir for the documentary Living with Michael Jackson.

In it, Jackson recalled, “I just snatched her [from the delivery room] and ran home with her all covered in placenta. I’m not kidding, I got her in a towel and I ran. I felt it was OK. Debbie [Rowe, Paris’s mother] said it was OK.”

The story has been corroborated by reputable outlets including The Globe and Mail and inews.co.uk, with Debbie Rowe later confirming that Jackson had the placenta frozen.

Though unusual and rarely mentioned in mainstream biographies, preserving the placenta aligns with Jackson’s known eccentricities and his fervent desire to hold onto tangible tokens of his family’s milestones.

Context and Controversy

The 2003 Bashir interview itself stirred controversy over its editing and portrayal of Jackson, sparking backlash and prompting the singer’s own rebuttal documentary.

Yet this particular story about Paris’s birth remained consistent in the original footage, lending it credibility amid an otherwise complex narrative.

A Parenting Style Rooted in Protection and Devotion

Jackson’s role as a father was marked by fierce protection and closeness. People magazine noted that his children were “Michael’s first priority.”

Paris herself paid tribute to him in a 2009 speech at his funeral, calling him “the best father you could ever imagine.” Reports consistently describe his children as well-adjusted and deeply loved.

His efforts to shield them from the spotlight—sometimes by covering their faces in public—underscored his dedication to their privacy and well-being.

The unusual decision to take Paris home immediately after birth, placenta and all, then freeze that very placenta, can be understood as a deeply personal and symbolic act of connection.

Interpreting the Gesture

While freezing a placenta may seem unusual to many, it is a rare but genuine way to preserve a physical link to a child’s birth. For Jackson—known for cherishing personal mementos and moments—this gesture fits a broader pattern of emotional intensity and attachment.

Michael Jackson’s story about Paris’s birth reveals a side of his fatherhood often overshadowed by public controversy: an overwhelming, almost tangible love.

In moments like these, despite the complexities of his legacy, the profound bond he shared with his children shines through—rooted in devotion, protection, and an extraordinary desire to hold onto the very beginnings of their lives.