Michael Jackson 'wanted to study fine art at University'

London, Nov 29 : Late King of Pop Michael Jackson was reportedly planning to head back to the classroom to become a qualified art historian after his daughter Paris begged him to follow his dream of studying.

The singer, who died in June, aged 50, wanted to do a university course in fine art but it was his 11-year-old daughter who gave her famous dad the push he needed to study.

Last May, Michael got his assistants to contact both Christie's Education and Sotheby's Institute of Art, both in New York, with a view to starting a year-long course in September next year.

'It was all because of Paris that Michael decided to follow his dream,' the Daily Star quoted a source as saying.

'She gave him the confidence to finally contact the colleges that are attached to the famous auction houses,' the source added.

The course Jackson had pencilled in was called 'Certificate in Modern Art, Connoisseurship and the History of the Art Market'.

'Michael regretted the fact that he never got the chance to go to university because his music career started so early,' the source said.

'But he made up for it by reading widely. He absolutely devoured books on art and crafts and was an avid collector. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

'People don't realise but Michael was surrounded by a whole gang of academic friends. Many of his closest associates had nothing to do with showbiz.

'He was also inspired by a motivation to prove his father wrong, as Joe Jackson constantly accused Michael of being stupid. Most of all, Michael wanted to be an inspiration to his own kids,' the source added.

--ANI