Paris Hilton's mom sad M. Jackson died

NEW YORK, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Socialite Kathy Hilton says she is heartbroken over the recent death of her longtime friend, U.S. pop star Michael Jackson.

"I have never lost anybody that I went to school with that I was close to in a friendship (that lasted) all these years," Hilton, the mother of celebrity siblings Nicky and Paris, told People magazine.

Hilton went on to say she thinks Jackson's mother Katherine will be a good guardian of the three children the singer left behind when he died June 25 at the age of 50.

"I adore Mrs. Jackson. Katherine is the rock," said Hilton, also 50. "It is like Camp Jackson, all of those kids. All the aunts, the uncles, the children come there. She plays Scrabble with them. She loves it. I think that's what keeps her really young."

As for Michael, Hilton said he "was so much more normal than people know" and "he was the best father."