Why Brit will never regain control of her personal or financial affairs

Superstar Britney Spears remains one of the world’s most successful musicians – but it was all looking remarkably bleaker in 2007.

Indeed, back then the 33-year-old was in the midst of a mental breakdown, and her family feared for her life.

In the immediate aftermath of her emergency psychiatric treatment, her father Jamie went to court seeking conservatorship of her personal and financial affairs – something which was quickly granted to him.

And now TMZ is reporting that after seven-and-a-half years that set-up will continue indefinitely – and very possibly forever.

However, the media outlet explains that “no one involved is complaining”.  It adds: “The conservatorships have worked remarkably well”.

At one stage, it looked highly likely that Ms Spears, who shot to global fame aged 16, would permanently lose custody of her two sons.

In early 2008, there was a tense stand-off at her home: an emotional Britney refused to hand over her children to her ex-husband Kevin Federline's representatives. He was later given sole physical and legal custody of Jayden James, nine, and Sean, eight.

At the time, Britney only had visitation rights to her children – a right which was then provisionally revoked in light of her mental state.

 “Britney's doctors have stabilised her to the point she can successfully work and maintain a personal life,” TMZ says.

Britney has a team of lawyers and doctors, along with Jamie Spears, managing the conservatorship, but reportedly has “substantial day-to-day freedom” to make her own decisions.

In late 2013, Ms Spears began a two-year residency show Britney: Piece Of Me at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. She is currently paid around €425,000 per performance. 

Last year alone the conservatorship raked in €12.75m; but that’s only a portion of Britney's financial machine and doesn't include substantial commercial deals.