Michael Jackson's parents Joe and Katherine 'to divorce after 60 years of marriage'

Michael Jackson's parents Joe and Katherine 'to divorce after 60 years of marriage' - Michael Jackson's parents are set to divorce after 60 years of marriage, after the King of Pop's mother Katherine tired of her husband Joe's cruel behaviour.

The pair became estranged five years ago, but the family matriarch reportedly decided to file for divorce after Joe, 81, suggested she was to blame for their son's shock death last year.

Mr Jackson, who was accused of abusing Michael as a child, said in June: 'I begged her to go over and stay with him, but she insisted he needed his privacy.'

Split: Joe and Katherine Jackson, pictured supporting their son Michael as he defended child molestation claims, have split after 60 years of marriage

Mrs Jackson retaliated, saying through her spokesperson: 'Joe Jackson's statement and conduct toward Mrs. Jackson are outrageous.'

Referring to the abuse of their children, the spokesperson then said: 'The world also knows who Joe Jackson is and he seems bent on never letting us forget.'

According to the Daily Star, Mrs Jackson considered the attack as the final straw.

'She's been humiliated by him for too long. She's absolutely livid. There's no going back.'

Mourning: The Jacksons attend the funeral of their son Michael after his shock death following a cardiac arrest

The couple became estranged five years ago and live apart.

Mrs Jackson has sole custody of her late son's three children Prince Michael, 13, Paris, 12, and 'Blanket', 8, in Encino, California and Mr Jackson based in Las Vegas.

Despite already being separated Mrs Jackson was said to be reluctant to officially end the marriage, because as a Jehovah's Witness she doesn't believe in divorce.

The couple, parents to nine children including Jackson 5 members Michael, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, married in November 1949 and have 26 grand children.

Mrs Jackson has sole custody of her son's children Paris, Blanket and Prince Michael

They put on a united front to support Michael during child abuse accusations against him and mourned side-by-side at his funeral after his death in June last year, aged 50.

In 2007, Michael accused his father - who he does not mention in his will - of beating him when he was a child.

'My father would rehearse with a belt in his hand, you couldn't mess up. I would never get spanked during rehearsals or practice - but afterwards was when I got in trouble,' the singer said. ( dailymail.co.uk )