The Story of Neverland Ranch | What Happened to Michael Jackson's Dream Home?

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch was one of the most well known pieces of real estate on the planet. It was Jackson's personal home and had everything a child could imagine. Arcade games, carnival rides, a movie theater, zoo, train, 4 acre lake with waterfall, and plenty of sycamore trees to decorate and shade the property. Jackson would own the ranch from 1988 to his death in 2009 (losing his majority share in 2006). After the revelations in the documentary Leaving Neverland, fans have had to look at the pop star and Neverland Ranch's legacy in a new light and as of the December 2020, after being on the market since Jackson's death, the ranch finally found a new owner. It sat abandoned and only minimally maintained during that time. Now we have to wait and see what the new owner plans to do with the property. Join me in this video as we explore the origins, highlights, and downfall of Neverland Ranch.

Corrections in order they appear in the video:
1. Please acknowledge this was episode two of the series, and one of the first on the revival of the channel. Yes, the voice over was not perfect, not every single bit of research was perfect, the writing could have been better, but the main aspects of the story are accurate. To further ask for forgiveness, I posted this with less than 300 subscribers to my channel.

2. There is a popping noise right when the Earth starts spinning in the beginning that slip passed me in the final edits.

3. The intro music is deliberately louder the 2nd half of the intro, however your ability to distiguish this greatly depends on what device you are watching the video on.

4. He only had one zipper ride, not four.

5. One of the sources I consulted suggested that as a part of his debt, he was paying $1,000,000 for staff at the ranch annually. Logic and California Labor laws disagree with this. This figure and the number of staff he had came from two different sources.

6. What the police found at the ranch and confiscated are accurate. They found two photography books depicting explicit young boys and girls, but found much more normal adult entertainment material.

7. I have read the name Sotheby's close to a hundred times, but had never heard it said out loud. I naively didn't think to check the pronunciation before recording.

[LaBreeceTV]

Before commenting your correction or sharing your distaste for the video, please see the current list of corrections in the description.

[lizblodgett]

I'm a 70 year old white woman. He was so misunderstood and such an incredibly talented young man. My heart broke for what people did to such a kind and nieve person. His father ruined him. Took away his childhood.

[theseanwardshow]

What a tragedy that this isn't a tourist attraction we can all visit right now

[highfae]

My mom loved Michael and hoped to marry him, so she would drive us up there to sit outside of the gate whenever we had a spare weekend. We became friends with the workers and a higher up named Jesus, who let us in once to watch a movie in the theatre (free candy and popcorn), and ride the bumper cars, I also played on the trampolines that were flush with the ground right behind the house, and climbed up halfway to a treehouse in one of the trees around the house. Later during his final trial, we went up to support him and everyone who came was given a Dodo bird plushie and an invite to Neverland, that was the second time we went and everyone was there. I never went in his house or saw the zoo, but it was very cool, sometimes idolising a superstar gives your kids nice memories lol. RIP, Michael. 👑 🎤

[PaulStevensinOC]

I spent one incredible day at the ranch for the birthday party of his dermatologist. Played video games in the guest building, rode the ferris wheel, watched a movie in the movie theater, got to see all of the animals, had lunch by the pool and dinner in Michael's dining room. The staff waited on guests hand and foot, and there was a phone system to call them up to operate rides or do whatever you needed. We had free use of the many electric golf carts on property. I had the opportunity to stay the night in the main house, but stupidly decided I should head back for my home in Orange County. It was one of those experiences you can never forget--I only wish we didn't have to turn in all cell phones or cameras before coming onto the property. But I did receive an autographed menu of Neverland Ranch that I will keep the rest of my days. And I' hope to always have the memories from that day. Thanks for the video!

[suncitytactical]

I grew up a few miles from Neverland Ranch. Michael would dress up occasionally as a homeless man to be around normal people. You could tell if you looked closely, but the people that knew let it slide so he could have a little bit of normalcy. I never went on the property but have friends that did.

[benhartart]

Saw The King of Pop Live in 1995! Best Concert Ever. Great Human being don’t believe the mainstream media FUD about him.

[geraldineevans]

Michael was innocent he got acquitted of all charges! Yet you all still call him things even though he’s been gone for 14 years! Leave him rest in peace he isn’t alive to defend himself. I’ll always love MJ until my dying days! ❤❤❤

[Barracuda-fw]

If I owned it, I would leave it just like Michael dreamed it to be. So cool!

[pinemeadowshobbyfarmafruga]

My neighbor and friend lived at Neverland caring for the animals. Some of the critters now reside across the street from me.

[ribbs]

Why is it so hard for people to grasp why Michael wanted to surround himself with children? They wanted nothing from him, they didn’t judge him, he was just a regular guy. They didn’t use him for their own selfish reasons. Michael gave himself the childhood he dreamed of. With no beatings no 18 hour days of practicing. I believe Michael was in a state of arrested development. He lived a hard but charmed life. This was his escape.

[paygiet.]

I was able to talk to Prince (MJ’s son) in Vegas and he would love to do the Thriller Night fundraiser party up in Neverland within the next 5 years. The ranch was bought by a friend of Michael’s and the ranch is being used for charity work. Sick and underprivileged kids still go up there with their families. Michael kids go on the ranch too. Now the ranch is being prepared for the biopic.

[MezzoForte]

I'm surprised no one had the idea to turn the ranch into a vineyard with a bit of Neverland flare into it. Keeps the history there but also makes it a viable tourist spot considering where it's located.

[christophercromwell]

I imagine Michael just wanted to give kids the childhood he fantasized about when he was young, and he lived happily through the joy he gave them.

[kelliguillory]

I have had the honor of visiting Neverland. It was one of the beautifully welcoming environments I've been too. It was literally an amusement park.

[PedroLopez-sxzw]

They can say what they say, but one thing is for sure: Few human beings make our world better with their art like Michael Jackson. RIP Michael

[TheGracieFamily]

It’s so sad to see all that accused him came out & said they were lying. They should have come out while he was alive

[michellerubio_]

I remember visiting Neverland after Michael died. My family and I went on a little pilgrimage to the property and took tons of pictures, there were also other grieving fans there playing music and selling shirts and memorabilia. It's definitely an interesting memory to look back on

[paulhudson]

Like all of us, Mr. Jackson’s dreams died with him. R.I.P. ✝️

[Aladinscave]

MJ and his music is part of so many people’s history growing up it’s very sad it all ended the way it did, I think a number of things got to him in the end I’m glad I’m not famous and rich in the cruel world we live in …..