Michael Jackson Biography: Songs, Age, Albums, Girlfriend, Net Worth, Family, Sister, Parents, Child

June 2024 · 17 minute read

Biography

Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958, died June 25, 2009) was a widely celebrated American singer, songwriter, and dancer known as Michael Jackson. Dubbed the “King of Pop“, this talented singer is regarded as one of the most prominent cultural figures of the 20th century.

He had a blistering four-decade career for which his contributions to good music, super dance, and fashion, along with his controversial lifestyle, made him a global figure in popular culture. 

Michael Jackson influenced many artists across several music genres. Through stage and video performances, he popularized complicated but the great dance moves such as the Moonwalk (to which he gave the name) and the robot dance. Little wonder he is the most awarded individual music artist in history.

Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson: History • Bio • Photo
Wiki Facts & About Data
Full Name:Michael Joseph Jackson
Stage Name:Michael Jackson
Born:29 August 1958 (age 50 years old)
Place of Birth:Gary, Indiana, United States
Died:25 June 2009, Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality:American
Height:1.75 m
Parents:Joe Jackson, Katherine Jackson
Siblings:Janet Jackson, Randy Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Joh Vonnie Jackson, Brandon David Jackson
Wife • Spouse:Debbie Rowe (m. 1996-1999), Lisa Marie Presley (m. 1994-2000)
Girlfriend • Partner:Grace Rwaramba (2002-2009), Tatiana Thumbtzen (1987-1988), Brooke Shields (1981-1993), Diana Ross (1977-1994), Stephanie Mills (1977-1980), Stephanie Anne Mills (2001), Maureen McCormick (1973), LaTonya Simmons (1972)
Children:Paris Jackson, Bigi Jackson, Prince Jackson
Occupation:Singer • Songwriter
Net Worth:US$285 million-US$350 million

Early Life

Michael Jackson‘s birth occurred in Gary, Indiana, close to Chicago, on August 29, 1958. He was born into the Jackson family as the eighth of ten children. He came from a working-class African-American family who lived in a two-bedroom apartment on Jackson Street. 

He is the son of Katherine Jackson (mother), who played clarinet and piano but had aspired to be a country-and-western performer. She worked part-time at Sears and was a Jehovah’s Witness. 

On the other hand, his father was Joe Jackson, an ex-boxer who worked as a crane operator at U.S. Steel and played the guitar with a local rhythm and blues band called the Falcons to supplement the family’s income. 

Michael Jackson‘s great-grandfather was July Jack Gale, a US Army scout, although family lore held that he was also a Native American medicine man. 

Michael Jackson grew up with three beautiful sisters, Rebbie Jackson, La Toya Jackson, and Janet Jackson, and five brothers, Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and Randy Jackson. However, he had a sixth brother Marlon Jackson‘s twin Brandon David Jackson, who died shortly after birth.

From a very young age, he was a music enthusiast. Initially starting up as a backup musician, he soon found his way as a lead singer in the family band called the Jackson 5.

Education

Michael Jackson attended a public grammar school in the hub of Gary, Indiana. He mixed his education in between recording sessions and tours until age 11. 

When The Jackson 5 attained sensational status, Michael Jackson and his brothers had to abandon schooling. 

However, a few years later, they hired a private tutor named Rose Fine (whom Michael Jackson loved as a second mom), who tutored them for 3 hours a day until he earned his diploma from the Montclair College Preparatory School.

Career

The Jackson 5 attained nationwide sensation after touring Midwest and extensively performing at black clubs. In 1967, the family band released their first single, titled Big Boy, under the Steeltown record label. Sadly the same failed to interest the audience.

Nonetheless, in 1968, they signed a music contract with Motown Records, which required them to move to Los Angeles. The following year, they released their first album called Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5. Its first single, I Want You Back, was a hit, followed by bestsellers ABC, The Love You Save, and I’ll Be There, with each peaking at No one on Billboard Hot 100.

In addition to the band, Michael Jackson launched his solo career as well. His first-ever solo single was titled Got to Be There. The song was widely enjoyed and was responsible for establishing his reputation as a solo artist.

The Jackson 5 band terminated its association with Motown Records in 1975. That same year, they linked up with Epic Records under a new name called The Jacksons.

Between 1976 and 1984, the band toured globally, releasing six new albums. Michael Jackson became a leading songwriter for the group and wrote numerous hits one after the other.

Meanwhile, he launched a solo album with Quincy Jones titled Off the Wall in the summer of 1979. The album became a tremendous hit and made a world record as the first-ever album to generate four U.S. top 10 hits. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, eventually selling over 20 million copies worldwide.

The need to create a more significant impact than the previous song, Off the Wall, led to the 1982 release of an album titled Thriller. The album was a grand blockbuster, breaking all records to becoming the best-selling album of all time worldwide.

The album topped the Billboard 200 chart for up to 37 weeks and remained in the top 10 of 200 for more than 80 weeks at a stretch. In the end, the album sold over 65 million copies worldwide and achieved Double Diamond status in the US.

In 1983, Michael Jackson reunited with his brothers for a remarkable live performance. He displayed his signature dance style, the Moonwalk, which became a global epic. Magic was demonstrated on stage as he sang the hit Billie Jean whilst performing the Moonwalk.

Moving on, the afro-pop singer Lionel Riche co-wrote We Are the World in 1985, originally released as a charity single but became the best-selling single of all time, selling about 30 million copies.

A follow-up to Thriller was released in the winter of 1987 when he made the album Bad. However, the album could not replicate the runaway success of Thriller but was a convincing chartbuster. Seven singles from the album peaked at No One on the Billboard Hot 100. The album sold over 45 million copies worldwide.

In 1988, the inspirational pop star released his autobiography called Moonwalk. The motivational book duplicated the success of his music albums by selling over 200,000 copies and making it to the New York Times best-seller list.

The year 1991 witnessed the release of Michael Jackson‘s eighth studio album, Dangerous. Like its predecessors, Dangerous became the global best-selling album of the year, with its singles, Black or White, Remember the Time, and Heal the World topping the international charts.

In 1993, he performed at various significant events, including the Super Bowl XXVII. However, the same year, he was charged with molestation, but since there were no proofs or evidence to support the allegation, the charges were withdrawn.

He came up with an album titled HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, in 1995. The album acclaimed lukewarm response, featuring a single titled Scream, which he sang alongside his sister, Janet Jackson.

Furthermore, in October 2001, Michael Jackson released an album titled Invincible, which was to be his last full-length album. Though the album gained much-needed success, his eccentric and disoriented behaviour made the headlines. On January 9, 2002, he clinched his 22nd American Music Award for Artist of the Century.

On January 22 that same year, a promoter called Marcel Avram filed a breach of contract complaint against Michael Jackson for failing to appear in two planned 1999 concerts. And so, in March, a Santa Maria jury ordered Michael Jackson to pay Marcel Avram the sum of US$5.3 million as compensation. 

Moreover, on December 18, 2003, Michael Jackson‘s attorneys dropped all appeals on the verdict and settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.

In July 2002, he tagged Sony Music chairman Tommy Mottola, “a racist, and very, very devilish,” and someone who exploits coloured singers for his gain, on stage at Al Sharpton’s National Action Network in Harlem. The accusation prompted Sharpton to trigger a coalition investigating whether Tommy Mottola exploited truly black artists. 

Michael Jackson charged that Tommy Mottola had called his colleague Irv Gotti a “fat nigger.” Responding to the allegations, Sony issued a statement describing them as “ludicrous, spiteful, and hurtful” and defended Tommy Mottola as someone who had championed Michael Jackson‘s career for many years. 

So, Sony refused to renew his contract and claimed that a US$25 million promotional campaign had failed because he refused to tour the US for Invincible.

Nonetheless, Sony released Number Ones, a most incredible hits compilation, on November 18, 2003. It was certified five-times platinum by the RIAA, alongside nine times platinum in the UK, for shipments of close to 2.7 million units.

On December 18, 2003, Santa Barbara authorities charged Michael Jackson with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of intoxicating a minor with alcoholic drinks. But he denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. 

The People v. Jackson trial took centre stage on January 31, 2005, in Santa Maria, California, and lasted until May. Michael Jackson found the experience stressful. Thus, it affected his health. The singer would have faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

But on June 13, 2005, Michael Jackson was acquitted on all counts. And after the trial, he became reclusive and relocated to Bahrain as a guest of the renowned Sheikh Abdullah. 

But in December 2009, The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released files on Michael Jackson. These files revealed the Bureau’s role in the 2005 trial and the 1993 allegations against the singer, among other revelations. The FBI found no evidence of criminal conduct on Michael Jackson‘s behalf.

In early 2006, it was announced that he had signed a contract agreement with a Bahrain-based startup, Two Seas Records; but nothing came of the deal, and Two Seas CEO Guy Holmes later revealed it was never finalized. 

In November 2006, Michael Jackson invited an Access Hollywood camera crew into the studio in Westmeath and MSNBC amidst reports that he was working on a new album, produced by will.i.am. in the same month. He briefly performed We Are the World at the prestigious World Music Awards in London, England, and accepted the converted Diamond Award, honouring the sale of over 100 million records. 

But the event was Michael Jackson‘s last public performance in his lifetime. And so he returned to the U.S. in the winter of December 2006, settling in Las Vegas, and was in attendance at James Brown‘s funeral in Augusta, Georgia, later in the same month, where he gave a eulogy describing James Brown his greatest inspiration.

In September 2007, he was still working on his next album, which he never completed. For the 25th anniversary of Thriller in 2008, Michael Jackson and Sony released Thriller 25, with two remixes released as singles: The Girl Is Mine 2008 and Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008. 

For his 50th birthday celebration, Sony BMG released a series of greatest hits albums, King of Pop, with various tracklists for different regions.

In March 2009, amidst media speculations about his finances and health, Michael Jackson announced a series of comeback concerts, such as This Is It, at a press conference at The O2 Arena. 

The events were his first significant concerts since the HIStory World Tour in 1997. Michael Jackson suggested he would retire after the events. The initial plan was for ten shows in the city of London, followed by events in Paris, New York City, and Mumbai.

Awards & Nominations

Michael Jackson was an enormous artist with a blistering career for which he received numerous awards, including 13 Grammy Awards, 31 Guinness World Records, Grammy Legend Award and Lifetime Achievement Award,18 World Music Awards, and 26 American Music Awards.

Many still regarded him as the most outstanding musician of all time, and he was inducted into the Hollywood Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Dance Hall of Fame.

Social Media

Michael Jackson might be dead, but his legacy still lives on. His Instagram account is still active with over 6.8 million followers but is managed by his managers and relatives. 

On the other hand, his Facebook account has continued to thrive with over 71,361,431 followers.

Michael Jackson‘s Twitter account has over 30,000 followers. However, it has just three tweets, all written after his death on June 25, 2009.

Personal Life

Michael Jackson was a tall and skinny artist. He was pretty handsome and quite the ladies’ type, garnering several admirers for his great skin and distinctive long nose. 

As stated earlier, the afro-pop singer was tall with an average height of 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm, 1.75 m), and weighed 60 kg (132 lbs)

His figure chest was 38 Inches, waist 28 Inches, and biceps 13 Inches. He wore shoe size 9 (US) and always appeared with curly black hair. His eyes were black and were fair in complexion.

Michael Jackson married twice throughout his lifetime. His first marriage was to a beautiful lady named Lisa Marie Presley, who is the daughter of Elvis Presley, in 1994. However, this union did not last long, and the duo divorced in 1996.

Then he married his long-time friend, Debbie Rowe, a dermatology nurse, in 1997. The union produced two children named Prince Jackson and Paris Jackson. But the duo separated in 1999. He also had a third child, Bigi Jackson, from a surrogate mother through artificial insemination.

Michael Jackson married Debbie Rowe (1996-1999) and Lisa Marie Presley (1994-2000).

He was the boyfriend of Grace Rwaramba (2002-2009), Tatiana Thumbtzen (1987-1988), Brooke Shields (1981-1993), Diana Ross (1977-1994), Stephanie Mills (1977-1980), and Stephanie Anne Mills (2001).

Michael Jackson was also rumored to be dating Maureen McCormick (1973) and LaTonya Simmons (1972).

Michael Jackson‘s favorite food was Mexican (Taco and Burrito), fish, Sushi, pizza, chicken, popcorn, fresh fruits, vanilla ice with cookie pieces, glazed doughnuts, sunflower seeds, frosted flakes with milk, and M&Ms.

Morgan Freeman, Marlon Brando, and famous actresses Shirley Temple, Elizabeth Taylor, and Katherine Hepburn were his favorite actors. 

His favorite movies of all time were Peter Pan, E.T., and Star Wars. Moreso, his favorite colors were Red, Black, White, and Golden. 

Michael Jackson‘s favorite composers were Claude Debussy (‘Afternoon of the Fawn’), Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowsky, Sergei, and Sergejewitsch Prokofjew.

Cause Of Death

Michael Jackson, also known as the King of Pop, passed away unexpectedly following a cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. His sudden but tragic death raised a global outburst of grief and sorrow as millions mourned his death.

Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson‘s physician, had prescribed his various medications to help him sleep at his rented mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles. But paramedics received a 911 call at 12:22 pm Pacific time and arrived three minutes later. 

Unfortunately, Michael Jackson was not breathing, notwithstanding CPR was performed. Resuscitation efforts continued en route to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for more than an hour after Michael Jackson‘s arrival. Still, they were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at exactly 2:26 pm Pacific time.

Michael Jackson was administered propofol, lorazepam, and midazolam; according to sources, his death was caused by a propofol overdose. News of the iconic singer’s death spread quickly online, resulting in websites crashing from user overload and causing unprecedented strain on services and websites such as Google, Messenger, AOL Instant, Twitter, Facebook, and Wikipedia. 

A televised memorial was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. Other memorials were constructed, and statues were unveiled worldwide after his death. 

In addition, the Lunar Republic Society renamed a crater on the moon after Michael Joseph Jackson in his honor.

Net Worth

In 1989, Michael Jackson‘s annual earnings from album sales, endorsements, and concerts were estimated at US$125 million. In 1996 and 1997, Forbes placed his annual income at US$35 million and US$20 million, respectively. 

Michael Jackson‘s net worth estimation during his life ranged from negative US$285 million to cheerful US$350 million for 2002, 2003, and 2007, respectively. 

Forbes highlighted in August 2018 that his total career pretax earnings in life and death were over US$4.2 billion.

Sales of his recordings through Sony’s music unit earned Michael Jackson an estimated US$300 million in royalties. He may also have earned another US$400 million from concerts, music publishing (including his share of the Beatles catalog), endorsements, merchandising, and music videos.

In 2016, Forbes estimated annual gross earnings by the Jackson Estate at an average of US$825 million, the largest ever recorded for a celebrity, primarily due to the Sony/ATV catalog sale. 

In 2018, the figure was about US$400 million. In the eighth year since his death, his annual earnings were reported to be over US$100 million, thus bringing Michael Jackson‘s postmortem total to an estimated US$2.4 billion. 

In 2020, Forbes recognized Michael Jackson as the top-earning dead celebrity each year since his death except in 2012.

Discography

Studio Albums

Live Albums         

As The Jackson 5

Selected Compilation Albums         

As The Jackson 5

Singles  

As The Jackson 5               

Music Videos      

Filmography

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