Statement by Grace Rwaramba Regarding Michael Jackson

The following statement is by Grace Rwaramba:

June 30th, 2009

“Michael Jackson was an exceptional Human Being. He was gifted, deeply compassionate and brought joy to the lives of so many. He loved his family dearly, and above all, his beautiful children.

In addition to being my employer over the past 17 years and entrusting the care of his beloved children to me, he was my dear friend. While our friendship had challenges, as do all friendships, he was loyal to the end. I cherish and honor his memory.

I am shocked, hurt and deeply saddened by recent statements the press has attributed to me, in particular, the outrageous and patently false claim that I “routinely pumped his stomach after he had ingested a dangerous combination of drugs". I don’t even know how to pump a stomach!! In addition, I have never spoken to the Times Online, the original source of the story that has now been picked up worldwide. The statements attributed to me confirm the worst in human tendencies to sensationalize tragedy and smear reputations for profit.

I convey my heartfelt and deepest condolences to Prince, Paris, Blanket and the entire Jackson family. The pain and sorrow I feel over the loss of Michael pales in comparison to what has been taken from them forever.”

- Grace Rwaramba

The statement was originally published on Intent.com

Follow Mallika Chopra on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mallikachopra

Comments

[citizensrus]

08:26 PM on 07/01/2009

For every word of hate, there are thousands of people who love Michael Jackson. The words are pitiful conviction­s of the people who write them. Yet, with decades of trying to make people hate Michael Jackson, the haters have colossaly failed.

[Gretel1or2]

03:31 PM on 07/01/2009

When Michael Jackson was at his lowest point, i.e., when he was facing child molestatio­n charges and the real possibilit­y of going to jail, all the people coming out of the woodwork recently were not around. If you look at the pictures of a frail Michael Jackson going to and from those trials, the people who were by his side are the ones that genuinely care about him most. Pictures don't lie.

[duchamp2008]

05:06 PM on 07/01/2009

You mean the people on his payroll.

[PhDiva]

09:42 PM on 07/01/2009

Actually, his entire family was there during the trial. This included Janet Jackson who has her own fortune and was not on his payroll.

[spark19me]

02:18 PM on 07/01/2009

Michael loved the circus..th­e wonderment of animal doing tricks, the clowns, the tight rope, circus acts, and the joy that one gets..he never in his wildest dreams would think so many evil people would distort his life and seek to gain popularity and riches off of make him in such a disgusting and notorius way. I pray his children are being sheilded from the ugly and pure evil. He loved them. I loved his music and he inspired me. Change the world make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race. RIP MJ..I miss you.

[justoverit333]

01:32 PM on 07/01/2009

His children are young. Why was she a nanny for
17 years?

[mscoco]

02:36 PM on 07/01/2009

This is how rumors get started please reread the article clearly states he was my employer for 17 years and entrusted his beloved kids in my care. Nothing about being a nanny for 17 years. HATERS!!

[PhDiva]

09:42 PM on 07/01/2009

She was a personal secretary for several years.

[Materazzi]

11:48 AM on 07/01/2009

It is a very good thing the Chopra's stepped up and have shed positive light on who MJ was. I think Chopra's credibilit­y really has helped shift the public's doubts about MJ. It counterbal­ances the damage the media vultures are out to cause. The piece by Depak's son is fantastic and acknowledg­es things about Michael's ways that we the pubic didn't know. I am glad all three of them are out there doing everything they can to protect their friend's memory by showing the world MJ was so much more than tabloid news.

[BlueFloyd]

03:52 PM on 07/01/2009

Who knew that Gotham was such a great song writer??


sheesh, gimme a break, Gotham....­..

[IDIOTA]

11:23 PM on 07/02/2009

They wrote songs with him, vetted employees, gave marital advice. He was like a member of their family.

[MissingAmerica]

11:17 AM on 07/01/2009

Thank you.

[KeysE2S]

09:27 AM on 07/01/2009

When will it become common knowledge that the standards for libel in the UK are practicall­y non-existe­nt. Any time I read a story where the only source is the Birt press, I pretty much dismiss it. Doesn't anyone remember the infamous "Keanu Reeves and David Geffen are married" rumor? Guess where that little gem got started? A UK tabloid.

[mesoholy]

08:32 AM on 07/01/2009

It's party time!

[Bulbul]

07:58 AM on 07/01/2009

I hope there is someone in Michael`s life as powerful as Presilla to Elvis and Lisa, to keep Michael`s momory larger than life....

[Bulbul]

07:55 AM on 07/01/2009

Keep on writing Mallika and Gotham....­.

[IDIOTA]

11:25 PM on 07/02/2009

Do you mean songs?

[Harrier]

06:21 AM on 07/01/2009

When I read that story, it was clear it couldn't be true and was fabricated out of thin air. Nannys simply don't know how to do it. It's my understand­ing, this could only be performed in medical facilities anyways.

[harobamason]

04:36 AM on 07/01/2009

The United KIngdom's tabliods have been the most cruel in all this.

[tel8034]

07:02 PM on 07/01/2009

FAUX, CNN, MSNBC, the American newspapers­, radio, and other TV stations have ALL joined in the CRUELTY and FABRICATED STORIES which have surrounded MJ's death ..........­.........

Everyone seems to just be pulling ANYONE and EVERYONE off the street who can "pronounce­" the name MICHAEL JACKSON, and report whatever nonsense these "anonymous­" people spew as if it's fact......­..........­. No fact checking, and no determinat­ion if these so-called "close friends and associates­" were really "close friends and associates­".

And notice how ALL of these "close friends and associates­" are NOT IDENTIFIED BY NAME, but are IDENTIFIED AS SOURCES...­..........­...... Who are these "sources"? ..........­..... Persons in the media themselves who are hell bent on making money from MJ's untimely death? .......... Many of us would love to be a fly on the wall when these MEDIA FABRICATIO­N MEETINGS take place.

[duchamp2008]

03:59 AM on 07/01/2009

It is difficult for family, friends, employees and ardent fans of MJ to understand that for people who fall outside those categories of relationsh­ip, MJ had become nothing more than celebrity trash, boulevard magazine detritus, a 'story' to read about in gawker or a legal process to follow on CNN. He long ago ceased to have any musical meaning. I suspect the effort to circle the wagons and protect the cherished legacy will be for naught. No one outside the magic circle is buying into the PR blitz. However, the effort of the insiders is noble even if it is futile.

[dtghope]

02:52 AM on 07/01/2009

The world can be most cruel; rest in peace, Michael.

[AceInTheHole]

02:07 AM on 07/01/2009

What a eye opening lesson, the American people are learning since Micheal's death and how low the false accusers are willing go to defame him. And how unscrupulo­us they can be in spreading their venom, hate and lies, to disparage and try to destroy all vestiges of his reputation­. They never acknowledg­e any redeeming characteri­stics or positive acts of kindness and charity, they seem to prefer acting like a pack of merciless wolves on the attack.