Neverland is being sold

This morning, we received a heartbreaking email from the Michael Jackson Foundation. The text of this statement is as follows:

"You will soon hear news about the sale of Neverland by ‘Clonney Capital’. As the property owners, they have the right to do so. The Foundation will publish the following statement in response to media requests:

We are saddened by the idea of selling Neverland. Under the contract Michael signed during his lifetime, Clonney has the right to sell the property. The Foundation will preserve Michael’s family home in Encino and his iconic studio within that home. We will continue to expand Michael’s legacy as an artistic and humanitarian genius through his music and new projects such as the show ‘Michael Jackson One’ in Las Vegas. We hope and believe that the new owners will respect the historical importance and unique nature of this valuable property. Michael’s memory will live on in the hearts of his fans around the world.

It is also important to the Foundation that fans understand that although the Foundation does not have the right to stop or prevent this sale, it did review the available options regarding this property. Ultimately, the property’s zoning details, financial issues, and land-use regulations limited the alternative options, and Clonney decided to sell."

Previously, it had been said in the media that the Michael Jackson Foundation has a share in the ownership of Neverland, and it is unclear whether Clonney will sell the entire Neverland property or only the portion attributed to them. No information is available about the new buyer, although some have expressed hope that Lady Gaga has purchased the property and will keep it.

We, too, are as shocked and disbelieving as you are to hear this news, because we were certain that Neverland would not be sold and would be preserved for Michael’s children. It should be noted that this news contradicts the encouraging reports that had previously been said by well-known websites such as MJJC, and that you also read on this very page.

The area where Neverland is located is not commercial, and this makes commercial use of the property difficult—this is likely also why Clonney Capital is selling the property.

If we receive any further news on this matter, we will certainly share it with you.

What is Neverland?

In 1988, Michael Jackson bought the ‘Sycamore Valley Ranch’ and renamed it ‘Neverland’—the land of Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up.

Michael built a zoo on this ranch, as well as an amusement park, a movie theater, and many other entertainment venues. Over the course of his life, Neverland hosted many people: poor children, patients, girls and boys suffering from cancer and AIDS, children with disabilities or impairments, and many other individuals—as well as many stars and familiar friends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Chris Tucker, and many others. Over the years, these people enjoyed the magic of Neverland for free and found their childhood there again.

Unfortunately, this valuable property was attacked twice by opportunists who, with accusations of sexual abuse of children against Michael, tarnished his name.

After the 2005 trial, Michael left Neverland forever and never returned. People close to Michael have said that he believed Neverland was possessed by the devil. A year later, Neverland was shut down and its zoo and amusement park stopped operating. In 2008, Michael sold part of Neverland that was under bank mortgage to Clonney Capital, managed by Thomas Barak. Clonney Capital paid Michael’s debt to the bank and prevented the bank from selling this ranch.

Source: eMJey.com / MJOnline™ The Official Online Team of The Michael Jackson Estate