There’s no doubt Michael Jackson lived large. With fame hitting at such a young age, fortune was not far behind. Business Week reported that Jackson supposedly spent up to $30 million a year on clothes, travel and toys for the Neverland Ranch. With the artist’s passing, he not only leaves a legacy as the King of Pop, but also a financial legacy that includes millions in debt and two very valuable assets.

In 2008, Jackson’s money problems forced him to give up his beloved Neverland Ranch. In February of 2008, Jackson received word that unless he paid off more than $24 million by the following month, a public auction will go forward in Santa Barbara, California, in front of the county courthouse. Along with the land and buildings, other things on the property would also be up for auction, such as the rides, trains, art, and curtains. Jackson’s attorneys were able to reach a private agreement that allowed Jackson to maintain ownership. But just two months later the loan for Neverland Ranch was sold to Colony Capital.

In 2005 ABC News reported that a former adviser to Jackson filed a lawsuit, asking for $3 million. Marc Schaffel claimed he was unpaid for work on two television specials and various loans. Schaffel told ABC that Jackson often requested large amounts of money using code words, like “Super size” it. Schaffel claimed he once gave Jackson $100,000 in an Arby’s fast food bag. Jackson’s lifestyle required a lot of money. Just to eat a quiet meal required shutting down a restaurant and paying the entire staff for a day’s work.

In 2003 Jackson’s money problems were massive, according to his accountants. CBS News reported that forensic accountant John Duross O’Bryan traced Jackson’s assets and liabilities from 1999 to 2004. O’Bryan testified in court that a balance sheet from 2002 showed Jackson had a net worth of negative $285 million with assets totaling $130 million and liabilities of $415 million. O’Bryan also told the court that as of February 2003, the month a damaging documentary about Jackson aired on television, Jackson had racked up vendor invoices totaling $10.5 million but only had $38,000 in cash in bank accounts. On top of that he said that Jackson owed Bank of America at least $235 million in loans and credit debt.

Jackson was supposed to begin a series of 50 concerts in London on July 13, work that would have paid him $1 million for each performance, according to Business Week. Although he had great earning potential, Jackson also has one asset worth an estimated $4 or $5 billion. After the success of Thriller, Jackson purchased the Sony-ATV catalogue which includes rights to the works of a variety of artists including the Beatles. He also owns the catalogue of his own songs. Just as his life included controversy, it is almost certain that his death will also include controversy as the King of Pop’s financial legacy is ironed out.