The loss of Michael Jackson in 2009 was a devastating event for his family, especially for his mother, Katherine Jackson, who has remained mostly silent about the circumstances surrounding his death. However, in 2010, Katherine opened up during a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey, offering the world a rare glimpse into her emotional and personal experience following her son’s passing. Her words were filled with sorrow, confusion, and a deep sense of grief, shedding light on the painful reality of what happened that fateful day.

Katherine was at home, engaged in her duties as part of the Jehovah’s Witness faith, when she received an urgent call from her husband, Joe Jackson. He informed her that an ambulance had been dispatched to Michael’s home, but the body was covered, leaving Katherine with a sense of dread. As she rushed to the hospital, praying all the way there, she was unable to process the horrifying news she was about to hear. Upon her arrival, Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael’s personal physician, informed her of her son’s death. Despite Katherine’s desperate attempts for answers, Dr. Murray hesitated before confirming the tragedy. The cause of death was later revealed to be acute propofol intoxication—a powerful anesthetic used in surgical settings—something Katherine was unaware of.

Though she knew of Michael’s struggles with painkillers stemming from a traumatic burn incident during a Pepsi commercial in 1984, she had no idea he was resorting to such extreme measures to combat his insomnia. This revelation was a shock to Katherine, who, as a mother, felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal and confusion. It was hard to reconcile the man she knew with the circumstances of his death, especially given the involvement of his personal physician, who was supposed to be caring for him.

In the aftermath of Michael’s passing, the Jackson family struggled with many questions. Was Michael’s death an accident, or was there something darker at play? Katherine had always been protective of her children, and now, as she tried to piece together what happened, she found herself confronting uncomfortable truths. Despite Michael’s fame and success, Katherine reflected on the pattern that often accompanies the lives of celebrities. They work tirelessly, but many end up broken, torn, and filled with sorrow—a fate that seemed to have befallen her son.

The situation only grew more complicated with the emergence of various allegations and documentaries after Michael’s death. In particular, Oprah Winfrey, who had interviewed Michael in 1993, became a controversial figure. Her interview, initially meant to clear up rumors about Michael, ended up raising more questions, particularly with her intrusive and personal line of questioning. Oprah asked Michael about his sexuality, his appearance, and his relationships with children, leading many to believe she had an agenda to tarnish his reputation. This perception only worsened after Michael’s death when Oprah promoted the documentary Leaving Neverland, which aired in 2019. The documentary featured two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who accused Michael of sexual abuse.

While Oprah defended the documentary and its subjects, the Jackson family strongly denied the accusations, calling them part of a financially motivated agenda. Michael’s nephew, Taj Jackson, and his niece, Brandy Jackson, were vocal in their disbelief, with Taj labeling the documentary as “one-sided propaganda.” They questioned the motives of Robson and Safechuck, arguing that they were seeking to exploit Michael’s legacy for financial gain. Brandy even accused Oprah of betraying the Jackson family, pointing to her past actions and selective approach in dealing with powerful figures like Harvey Weinstein. Oprah’s friendship with Weinstein, which spanned over two decades, also came under scrutiny, with some questioning her loyalty to him in contrast to how she treated Michael.

Oprah’s handling of Michael Jackson’s legacy left a bitter taste for many, especially the Jackson family, who felt that she had exploited Michael’s image for ratings. The media mogul’s selective outrage, particularly regarding the accusations against Michael while being close to other controversial figures, added to the sense of betrayal. Fans, too, felt the sting of this perceived double standard, with many accusing Oprah of exploiting Michael’s tragic death for personal gain.

Katherine Jackson, having lost her son under such tragic and mysterious circumstances, had every reason to feel betrayed by the media and those who claimed to know him. Her reflections during her interview with Oprah showed a mother grieving not only for the loss of her child but also for the way his legacy was being distorted by those seeking to profit from his name. Michael Jackson’s death remains a subject of intense scrutiny, with conflicting narratives surrounding the cause of his passing and the allegations that followed. But for Katherine, the most painful truth was the realization that she had lost her son, a man she thought she knew, to a system that had ultimately failed him.