The father of pop star Britney Spears has agreed to step down as conservator of her estate, TMZ has reported.
In documents to be filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday, Jamie Spears, 69, said he would resign from custodial duties over his daughter's $60 million fortune due to "unjustified attacks" from the public against him.
"He does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests," legal documents prepared by his attorney read, according to TMZ.
The elder Spears rose to infamy following the release of a 2021 documentary produced by The New York Times. "Framing Britney Spears" closely examined the financial conservatorship the pop star has been living under since 2008, and the #FreeBritney movement launched by fans who perceived the arrangement to be exploitative.
A story published in The Times in June highlighted efforts undertaken by the pop star over the last few years to end her father's control over her finances. Documents obtained by the paper suggested that Britney was "sick of being taken advantage of" and felt forced by the conservatorship to perform against her will, thereby enriching individuals supposedly tasked with promoting her wellbeing—including her father.
Mathew Rosengart, attorney for Britney Spears, told TMZ, "We are pleased but not necessarily surprised that Mr. Spears and his lawyer finally recognize that he must be removed."
Rosengart added that Jamie's decision to step down is no get-out-of-jail-free card. "We look forward to continuing our vigorous investigation into the conduct of Mr. Spears, and others, over the past 13 years, while he reaped millions of dollars from his daughter's estate."