[ad_1]
Ron Burkle, whose fortune, estimated by Forbes magazine at $ 1.5 billion, is due to investments in various fields, including supermarkets and the music industry, is a Montana businessman. He was a close friend of the pop star and helped him manage his finances in the mid-2000s and pay off his huge debts due to his extravagant lifestyle, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The American billionaire is also a co-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team.
Neverland Farm was first put on sale in 2015 for $ 100 million, six years after the death of singer Michael Jackson.
Colony Capital, a real estate investment firm, owned the property in Los Olivos, California, under a 2008 agreement with Michael Jackson.
Last year, the sale price was lowered to $ 31 million, but the property has yet to find a buyer. Things changed after Ron Burkle flew over the property and spotted her on a private jet. He called Tom Barrack, the founder of Colony Capital, and offered to buy the property.
Neverland underwent several renovations after the death of singer Michael Jackson, including the dismantling of the famous carousel in the amusement park located on the perimeter of the estate.
Located on 1,100 acres of land 65 miles from Santa Barbara, Nerverland Farm still has 22 buildings, including a six-bedroom main residence, three guesthouses, a waterfall lake, tennis courts, and more. many barns and animal shelters.
Michael Jackson bought the Neverland farm in 1987 for $ 19.5 million. Racking up significant debts shortly before his death in 2009, the star sold the property to Colony Capital for $ 22.5 million.
The American megastar was searched by investigators in 2003 while the artist was accused of sexually abusing several minors visiting Neverland. Later, the police discovered an important collection of pornographic images and nude photos of some children.
Michael Jackson never returned to Neverland after the 2005 trial in which he was tried for sexually abusing minors. Although acquitted in the process, the American star said the Neverland farm conjured up too many unpleasant memories.
A 2019 documentary, “Leaving Neverland,” produced by HBO, features statements from two men who claim to have been sexually abused by Michael Jackson at Neverland as children.
Michael Jackson’s heirs, who deny the allegations, sued HBO, which he accuses of “posthumous lynching,” and demanded more than $ 100 million in damages.
Ron Burkle bought the Neverland estate because he considers it a good investment and does not intend to live in the former residence of the pop star, reports The Wall Street Journal (Source: AGERPRES)
