Michael Jackson told Martin Bashir he was worth over $1B. In 2009, he died more than $500M in debt.
Las Vegas, 2002.
"I remember getting $200,000 checks in the mail when I was like 12, 13 years old."
Bashir asks what he's worth now.
"It's way up there."
"Come on, Martin. I've done really well."
Over $1B? He says yes.
Then his favorite store in town.
"See, this is the shop. I bought so much stuff here."
2 urns. $275,000 each.
Bashir guesses the bill at a couple of million dollars. The manager won't say.
Later, Bashir put the day at $6M.
To Bashir, it looks like Louis XIV's palace.
"It's my taste."
In 2005, a forensic accountant testified.
His finances at the time of the documentary: $415M owed, about $130M in assets.
He was spending $20M to $30M a year more than he earned.
In June 2009, he died owing more than $500M.
One question came before the shopping.
"Have you always been good with your money?"
"With my money? Yes."