Michael Jackson's secret girlfriend was his children's nanny, Grace Rwaramba. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsJuly 04, 2009, (Sawf News) - Michael Jackson's secret girlfriend was his children's nanny, Grace Rwaramba.
Michael's personal photographer for the past three years, Ian Barkley, who traveled with Michael extensively, tells The Mirror that Michael's romance with Grace was an open secret amongst family members and staff.
The 42-year-old Ugandan born was the de facto mother of his children Prince Michael, 12, Paris Katherine, 11 and seven-year-old Prince Michael II.
"Grace loved Michael and he loved her," he said. "The kids called her 'Mom'."
Grace was introduced to Michael in 1991 and initially worked as his secretary. Following Michael's divorce from second wife Debbie Rowe, she took charge of his elder two kids and soon started calling the shots in the household.
Last week, Matt Fiddes, head of Michael's security, who has known Michael since the 1990s, asserted that Michael had a secret girlfriend but did not reveal her name.
"The family were aware that there was someone special in his life who he loved and adored and had his ups and downs with.
"For some time she’s been present in his life. She wasn’t a celebrity figure – absolutely not. I imagine she is distraught right now."
Another bodyguard, who refuses to be identified, has confirmed Michael's relationship with Grace.
"Matt was referring to Grace. They were more like a married couple than employer and employee."
"Grace was the closest person to Michael and the kids. She will be broken-hearted. The children were always their joint priority and like any couple they’d row if they disagreed about how they were being brought up.
"But the difference between Grace and other women in Michael’s life was that she had absolutely no interest in fame. It was something she actively avoided and Michael was determined to keep her and their relationship out of the public gaze.
"The romance was well-known among staff but it was made very clear to them that this was not something that should become part of the public domain."
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