Jackson Ex Jettisons Wedding Ring

Mon., Jan. 3, 2005 11:00 AM PST by Josh Grossberg

Just in the time for the new year, Michael Jackson's ex is ringing out the old.

Debbie Rowe, Jackson's second wife and the mother of the embattled King of Pop's two oldest children, is reportedly planning to sell her wedding band to the highest bidder on eBay.

Rowe is partnering with a Hawaiian jeweler to put the 2.13-carat diamond ring up for sale on the auction site as early as next week, according to FoxNews.com. There has been no word on what the opening bid will be, since the ring has not yet been appraised.

Jackson purchased the rock in Sydney and gave to Rowe on Nov. 14, 1996, after they married. It was the second marriage for both. She was previously married to a schoolteacher, and Jackson was briefly married to Lisa Marie Presley.

The winning bidder will purportedly receive a letter of authenticity from Rowe verifying that it belonged to her.

The jeweler's identity has not been divulged. Rowe was not available for comment Monday.

The report says that Rowe decided to hawk the ring to help pay for expenses incurred on the farm she recently bought and where she now resides and owns a stable of horses. She's also working on a college degree.

Money raised from the sale may also help bankroll Rowe's burgeoning legal battle with Jackson for visitation rights for their children, seven-year-old Prince and six-year-old Paris.

The Jackson File
E! Online tracks all the latest developments.

Rowe reportedly has not been allowed to see the oft-masked tykes since November 2003, when Santa Barbara police raided the "Bad" singer's Neverland Ranch as part of an investigation that led to child-molestation charges against him. Rowe says the ex-couple had an agreement that granted her access to the kids.

Aside from threatening to seek custody of Prince and Paris, Rowe is also looking for more dough. She claims Jackson has refused to cough up the annual $1 million alimony agreed upon following their divorce in 1999. They struck the settlement after their three-year union crumbled. Rowe later admitted to being little more than a surrogate for the Gloved One, helping him fulfill his dreams of having his own kids.

Jackson apparently cut off the payments after Rowe appeared on Entertainment Tonight and discussed her horses and her intention to sell the old home he bought for her. The entertainer believes the interview broke a confidentiality agreement Rowe had signed.

The former marrieds retained a retired judge last year to settle the dispute--what was described by both parties as an unspecified "family law matter"--but that was to no avail. A hearing in the custody spat is scheduled for Feb. 3, three days after jury selection is set to begin in his molestation case.

Jackson might not want to be starting something with his former bride. As Court TV reported last month, Rowe may be called to testify for the prosecution during the trial.

There has been no word on what she might say, but if she does turn state's evidence, the onetime medical assistant could prove damaging to Jackson's case. For instance, prosecutors may ask her why in her custody case she has requested Jackson undergo a psychological evaluation.

Jackson has pleaded innocent to 10 felony counts ranging from child molestation to conspiracy. His trial is slated to begin Jan. 31.