Roger Friedman: Michael Jackson’s Hospitalization in 1999

Roger Friedman wrote in his column on February 7:

“Michael Jackson was hospitalized for two days in 1999 (on April 17 and 18) at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. During this time, Michael Jackson used the alias James Walker.

The reason for this unexpected hospitalization was not disclosed, but it was reported that he was admitted to the psychiatric unit in a private suite. Apparently, Michael Jackson had come to this hospital due to exhaustion and also because of dehydration. A source who revealed this news says:

‘He was so exhausted from producing the album “Invincible” that he needed fluids.’

At that time, Michael Jackson had not yet separated from Debbie, although the two were not living together. And at that time, Michael was the one taking care of the children.

As sources say, Debbie was not informed about Michael’s hospitalization—like most people who were connected to Michael and still don’t know about this matter.

Dr. Len Horovitz, Michael Jackson’s treating doctor at that hospital, told us these things during a conversation we had yesterday:

The most important thing he told me was: ‘Michael Jackson really has vitiligo—a disease that has caused his skin to gradually turn white over these years.’

Horovitz said this, and I think we should believe Michael’s words that he did not intentionally do anything to make his skin lighter.

Horovitz said: ‘He didn’t remove his skin or use any medication to whiten it. In parts of his body that are not visible, there are patches, and he uses makeup among people. But vitiligo is real.’

Before Michael was hospitalized at Lenox, Dr. Horovitz had treated him several times in New York at the Four Seasons hotel. He says that Michael Jackson came to that hotel with his children—who were very small at the time—and with a collection of his memorabilia.

‘He has a lot of memorabilia from Judy Garland and The Sound of Music.

Horovitz recalls: ‘Prince and Paris (Michael’s children) didn’t look like him.

Paris, who had just started walking at that time, was like Shirley Temple—with reddish-brown curly hair.’

Michael Jackson often visited this hospital alone—without an escort. Horovitz treated him with an intravenous injection of fluids.

Horovitz: ‘My job was to quickly get fluids into his body. I administered the injections myself, and no one else was around.’

Horovitz also conducted a blood test on Michael Jackson, but the drug test was not included. He says there were no signs of self-medication by Jackson using these drugs. Michael Jackson’s only entertainment during his hospitalization at this hospital was a large tape recorder.

Horovitz, who is also a pianist, says: ‘He liked to talk about music.’

During this time, Horovitz and Jackson also formed a brief friendship. From time to time, Jackson invited the doctor—who had two children—to his Four Seasons hotel in New York so they could talk together.

Horovitz: ‘He really likes Debussy. He gave me some CDs that his fans had gifted him.’

At the end, Dr. Horovitz adds: ‘He is very lonely.’”

Source: eMJey.com / Fox News