Former Chauffeur Says Michael Jackson Was Desperate to Clone Himself

Wed, 08 July 2009 04:35:23 ET

Former Chauffeur Says Michael Jackson Was Desperate to Clone Himself
© ANG/Fame Pictures

Michael Jackson's former chauffeur Al Bowman claims the King of Pop, who passed away on June 25 after experiencing cardiac arrest, was terrified of dying so he wanted to clone himself to extend his superstar legacy. Bowman recalls the 50-year-old singer once attended a Las Vegas conference on human cloning with his friend, Uri Geller, and impressed by the teachings of a sect called the Raelians.

"Jackson was very excited," Bowman tells U.K.'s Daily Mirror. "He bounced out of that conference like a small child. He was smiling and on a high. I heard him and Uri talking in the back of the limo."

"He was talking about the prospect of being cloned. He grabbed Uri by both arms and told him, 'I really want to do it Uri, and I don't care how much it costs,'" the former driver continues. "Michael said he wanted a mini-version of himself cloned to carry on his legacy. He was hoping that Michael Jackson could live for ever."

Michael Jackson's memorial service was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning, July 7. Mariah Carey, Trey Lorenz, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, and Stevie Wonder were some of the celebrities who took the stage to perform during the event.