Fortress Investments, the long suffering lender who holds the multi-million dollar mortgage on Michael Jackson’s once beloved Neverland Ranch, has reached the end of their patience rope with the financially strapped and fallen music icon.

According to the always well informed celebrity gossip Roger Friedman who pens the Fox 411 column, Neverland Ranch has been foreclosed on and is scheduled to be sold at auction on March 19 unless The White Lady manages to scrounge up $24,525,906 and 61 damn cents. And quick.

If the 2,600 acre ranch on Figueroa Mountain Road in the Santa Ynez Valley is auctioned off on the steps of the Santa Barbara county courthouse, the sale will include “every single thing that is or isn’t nailed down” including furniture, fixtures, appliances, and “all merry go round type devices.” It would be fascinating to know what objects and personal items Mister Jackson left behind when he fled Neverland Ranch in shame and humiliation in June of 2005 after being acquitted of child molestation charges.

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The world of Michael Jackson is in the usual chaos this week, as the pop singer faces foreclosure on his Neverland Ranch for $23 million secured by Fortress Investments.

Several things have happened all at once. Out in the cold are publicist/manager Raymone Bain, who denies it to anyone who asks. But also apparently out, or iced for the moment, is nanny Grace Rwaramba.

“She’s sick, she’s got something, and Michael hates germs,” says a source. “So Grace is out. She’s over at her luxury condo in Las Vegas while Michael and his kids remain at the Palms casino.”

Jackson, flush with a little cash since his recent refinancing, is said to be shopping for a Vegas home. This might seem strange since his own home, Neverland, is about to be foreclosed on. But the word is that grocery store magnate Ron Burkle may have interceded with Fortress and gotten his old friend an extension. Calls to Burkle Monday were not returned.

Believe it or not, the other new name in the Jackson mix is none other than Dieter Wiesner. You may recall the former German manager was part of Jackson’s 2003-2005 child molestation/conspiracy trial/scandal. He was replaced by the Nation of Islam, then sued Jackson for millions.

Jackson recently paid him about $2 million after a short trial and many depositions. You’d think Jackson would be done with Wiesner, but I’m told the singer misses him and wants him back. (Ooh ooh baby, wants him back.)

With the much-despised Grace and Raymone gone, the question is: Who’s managing Jackson? No one seems to know, which means the singer’s possible appearance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards is highly suspect. Recent reports that he would join Kanye West, Akon and will.i.am to perform remixes of “Thriller” on the Grammy show sounded good, but without a manager, Jackson is unlikely to show up or do anything productive.

And what about Neverland? Even with Burkle’s intervention, the big finale is drawing near if no one comes up with the money.

As for the big 25th anniversary edition of “Thriller” that’s coming Feb. 12 — and could certainly be promoted on the Grammys two nights earlier: Preorders on Amazon.com put it at a ho-hum No. 200. The available version of “Thriller,” reissued in 2001, is holding tight around No. 691.

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Michael Jackson’s ever-changing face may have changed once again, according to reports.

The ‘Thriller’ star looks to have undergone an operation on his face after being spotted out-and-about with plasters all over his mug.

According to reports, Jacko – who’s believed to be in talks to play a residency gig at London’s O2 arena, attempted to go un-noticed under a black head scarf and sunglasses during a shopping trip to a Vegas book store with his three children, 10-year-old Prince, 9-year-old Paris and 5-year-old Prince Michael II.

According to London’s Metro newspaper, the suspected injuries or surgery appears be surrounding the 49-year-old’s mouth which was completely surrounded by a series of bandages.

In a rare public outing, the Jackson family spent three hours at the ‘Barnes & Noble’ book store, before they left loaded with boxes laden with magazines and books.

The star’s latest ‘face treatment’ comes ahead of a reported reunion with his Jackson Five brothers.

The band, famous for their ‘ABC’ lyrics are rumored to play at an engagement party on New Years Eve in Atlanta.

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Michael Jackson has reportedly splashed out €20m on an historic castle and estate in Wicklow.

According to Hotpress magazine, Jackson has bought Luggala Estate, which is situated on a 350 acres estate in Roundwood, Co Wicklow.

Jackson had previously rented the property for three months last year during his extended stay in Ireland. According to various newspaper reports at the time, the King of Pop was spending between €20k and €30k a week during his visit.

AdvertisementIt was reported that Jackson wanted to move to Ireland permanently after falling in love with the country. He was joined on last year’s visit by his three children, Prince Michael (10), Paris (8) and Prince Michael II (4).

During his stay, he dined in a number of local restaurants and visited Hughes & Hughes bookstore in Dun Laoighaire, Co Dublin.

Jackson had viewed various properties in Ireland at the time but seems to have settled on spectacular Luggala Castle and its surroundings. It is believed that a leading developer negotiated the purchase of the castle for Jackson.

Luggala Castle had previously been owned by the Guinness family and has been used as a setting for many films, most recently King Arthur, which starred Clive Owen and Keira Knightley.

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Former king of pop Michael Jackson has decided to clear up all the false reports, which were published recently, including ones that stated that he is on medication and believes that his brother Randy stole money from him. In response to a flurry of published reports, the singer’s spokeswoman, Raymone Bain, issued a statement recently, branding the reports as “untrue, defamatory and malicious in nature.”

Among the allegations denied by Bain was that Jackson was confined to his bed, or relying on any sort of medication, “including painkillers.”

“Mr Jackson is not bedridden nor on any type of medication – including painkillers,” E! News quoted Bain, as saying. “In fact, Mr Jackson is doing very well, and conducted a meeting with his advisors yesterday , which included former Attorney General Benjamin R Civiletti and Reverend Jesse L Jackson Sr among others,” she added.

Bain also refuted assumptions that Jackson has doubts that his older brother Randy has been stealing from his bank account behind his back.

“Mr Jackson does not believe that his brother Randy Jackson has stolen monies from him, nor does he believe that Randy, or any of his family members , would ever steal from him,” she said.

Bain also cleared up rumours about Jackson’s reported departure from Las Vegas. “Mr Jackson has not left Las Vegas nor is he being ‘evicted’ from his residence in Las Vegas . He decided not to exercise the option to purchase the house. Period,” she said. Bain said that there was never any press release issued in regards to a European tour, and added, “Despite reports to the contrary, Mr Jackson is currently in the studio putting finishing touches on his music.” Bain also denied that Jackson has lost or sold his share of the entertainment channels’ partnership , and says that any reports to the contrary are “ludicrous, without merit, and are being written without sufficient personal financial information to make such an unwarranted pronouncement.” She indicated that Jackson’s attorneys would be dealing with the individuals responsible for spreading falsehoods about the singer.

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Michael Jackson greeted thousands of U.S. troops and their family members at a U.S. Army base south of Tokyo Saturday, taking a break from days of parties with die-hard fans and well-heeled business people.

About 3,000 troops and their family members gathered at a fitness center at Camp Zama. Jackson walked around shaking hands and exchanging words to thank them for their service.

“Those of you in here today are some of the most special people in the world,” Jackson told the crowd, reading from a statement. “It is because of you in here today, and others who so valiantly have given their lives to protect us, that we enjoy our freedom.”

Jackson, 48, arrived in Japan last Sunday for his second trip in less than a year to attend parties including an extravagant gala held Thursday in Tokyo.

The reclusive pop icon was the guest of honor at the lavish party aimed at a well-heeled business crowd — though the roughly 400 people who showed up were mainly die-hard fans, and more than 100 orphans and handicapped children who were invited for free.

The paying guests each laid down $3,500 for tickets, which included a buffet dinner, a show featuring several Japanese Michael Jackson impersonators and a chance to meet, greet and take photos with Jackson.

On Friday, he made an appearance at another party for his less affluent fans. More than 1,000 people crowded a popular night club.

He did not perform at either party.

Jackson, one of the best-selling artists of all time, has lived abroad since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges, forsaking his Neverland Ranch in California for residences in Bahrain, France, and a castle in Ireland.

Jackson will spend another three or four days in Tokyo.

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