In June 2009, Michael Jackson was at home in Los Angeles while preparing for an ambitious 50-show residency at London’s O2 Arena when he suffered a cardiac arrest and died. His sudden death sent shockwaves around the world. The 50-year-old singer, widely known as the “King of Pop,” left behind one of the most remarkable, and lucrative, music catalogs in history. Nevertheless, his financial affairs were in disarray. It later emerged that at the time Jackson owed more than $500m to various creditors. His estate was placed into the hands of a pair of executors, attorney John Branca and A&R executive John McClain. For the last 16 years, the duo have been responsible for managing Jackson’s ongoing affairs and business interests. Jackson’s estate still owns a significant stake in his celebrated music catalog, although a 50% stake was sold to Sony in 2024. Several other assets have also been sold off, including the publishing rights to the Beatles’ music that Jackson originally bought in 1985.…