Filed under 'Diana Ross'

Michael Jackson and Diana Ross were incredibly close, lifelong friends. His last will reflects this as he named her the next guardian in line to care for his three children, after his mother, reports PEOPLE.

Michael’s will was signed nearly seven years ago on July 7, 2002, previous to a 2005 custody battle between him and Debbie Rowe, the mother of his two older children, Prince, 12, and Paris, 11. The mother of Michael’s third child, “Blanket”, 7, has never been identified.

Debbie Rowe’s attorney states that Debbie now has parental rights over Prince and Paris and may exercise these rights if she chooses.

All three children are currently in the custody Katherine Jackson.