Inside Neverland Ranch - Late Michael Jackson

In this video, Matt Lauer tours the Neverland Ranch, late Michael Jacksons fantasy-filled private compound in California where many fans hope to get their last look at the star before he is laid to rest.


Jackson purchased the property from golf course entrepreneur William Bone in 1988 for a sum variously reported to be $16.5 to $30 million. It was Jackson's home and private amusement park and contained, among other things, a floral clock, numerous statues of children, a zoo and a theme park, with two railroads (one 36" gauge with a steam locomotive (Crown 4-4-0, built 1973, with 4 coaches) and a 24" gauge amusement ride-type), a ferris wheel, carousel, zipper, spider, sea dragon, wave swinger, super slide, dragon wagon kiddie roller coaster and bumper cars.

During his residency there, Jackson brought groups of children and their families to the facility as day visitors. He also hosted various children overnight, a practice which came under scrutiny when Jackson was accused of sexual misconduct with minors at the ranch, first in 1993 and again in 2003.

Following Jackson's death, press reports during June 28–29, 2009 claimed that his family intended to bury him at the Neverland Ranch, eventually turning it into a place of pilgrimage for his fans, similar to how Graceland has become a destination for fans of Elvis Presley. However, the singer's father Joseph Jackson later denied the reports. Construction equipment and gardeners entered the grounds on July 1, prompting speculation that preparations were being made for something related to Jackson's death, but local officials stated that a burial there would not be lawful. Jackson's 2002 will gives his entire estate to a family trust.