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Michael Jackson

Dubbed “the King of Pop”, Michael Jackson changed the face of the music industry. Born in Gary, Indiana, on 29 August 1958, Jackson was the fifth of mother Katherine's nine children. He rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the Jackson 5 with four of his brothers Jermaine, Marlon, Jackie and Tito. After the Jackson 5, Jackson pursued a hugely successful solo career, including releasing the best-selling album of all time (Thriller, 1982). His other solo albums include Off The Wall (19 million copies sold worldwide), Bad (30 million copies), Dangerous (22 million copies) and HIStory (20 million copies). Famous for his dancing skills (popularising ‘the moonwalk’) and high-pitched singing voice, Jackson also courted controversy with his private life. His appearance dramatically changed after successive bouts of plastic surgery – most noticeably altering his skin colour and shape of his nose. In 1993 13-year-old Jordan Chandler accused him of sexual molestation. Jackson settled with the boy's family out of court for a reported $20 million. In 1994 Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis. They divorced 19 months later. In 1997, Jackson married a second time — to Debbie Rowe, his former nurse, who produced two children for him, Prince Michael and Paris. A third child, Prince Michael II — or Blanket — was born although he never disclosed the identity of his mother. In 2005, after a five-month trial, Jackson was found not guilty of further child abuse charges resulting from his interview with Martin Bashir. In June 2009, Jackson died of an apparent heart attack, prompting a global outpouring of grief from fans.

Related pictures

Michael Jackson's home up for sale Never-before-seen Michael Jackson pictures revealed and up for auction Michael Jackson estate enjoys massive windfall Fans’ midnight dash for Michael Jackson DVD Michael Jackson exhibition extends its stay Video: Filipino prisoners return with new Michael Jackson tribute Final Michael Jackson album This Is It hits the shelves Michael Jackson tapes reveal love for Hitler and James Bulger killers Hot tickets: London's going out guide Michael Jackson Vienna tribute moved to London Michael Jackson to be buried at cemetery of the stars

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Latest articles

In the air: Ready for blast-off to the Daily Planet

08.09.10
Rupert Murdoch is such a convert to the world of Apple iPad and mobile apps that he has made the creation of a digital-only newspaper a top priority in the US... more

Paul McKenna is ready to pay £19m for the house where Jacko died

01.09.10
Hypnotist Paul McKenna is reportedly considering paying £19 million to buy the house where Michael Jackson spent his final days.... more

Michael Jackson's home up for sale

05.08.10
The Holmby Hills mansion where the singer died died in June 2009 is on the market... more

Michael Jackson memorial unveiled at West End theatre

24.06.10
A memorial to Michael Jackson was unveiled in the heart of the West End today, at the home of a show celebrating his music.... more

Never-before-seen Michael Jackson pictures revealed and up for auction

24.06.10
A Paris auction house says it plans to put 12 never-before-published portraits of Michael Jackson on the block in December.... more

Michael Jackson estate enjoys massive windfall

21.06.10
As Michael Jackson fans mourn the first anniversary of his death, the late singer’s estate and his record label Sony Music are looking at an extraordinary cash windfall... more

Michael Jackson told of fears for life in phone calls

12.05.10
Series of telephone messages left by Michael Jackson have emerged in which he pleads for financial help and tells of his fears for his life... more

Michael Jackson estate lands record $200 million deal

16.03.10
Estate of Michael Jackson has landed the biggest recording deal in history — worth at least $200 million... more

Video: Controversy over Farrah Fawcett 'snub' at Oscars

09.03.10
The late stars who died in the last 12 months were remembered at the Oscars - but there was no place in the tribute for Farrah Fawcett.... more

Fans’ midnight dash for Michael Jackson DVD

22.02.10
About 500 fans crammed into the HMV store on Oxford Street at the stroke of midnight for the release of Jackson’s This Is It ... more

Michael Jackson exhibition extends its stay

03.02.10
Michael Jackson: The Official Exhibition is to extend its stay at The O2 bubble venue offering Londoners a final chance to see the collection.... more

Michael Jackson doctor to surrender on charge of involuntary manslaughter

03.02.10
Video: Michael Jackson’s personal doctor is expected to be charged with causing the pop star’s death... more

Video: Filipino prisoners return with new Michael Jackson tribute

27.01.10
The Filipino prisoners are back, taking on Michael Jackson's This Is It... more

Michael Jackson dolls expected to be Christmas hit toy

26.01.10
Michael Jackson dolls are expected to be the next hit Christmas toy... more

Michael Jackson dolls to hit UK shops

26.01.10
Michael Jackson dolls to hit shops after group wins UK licence to produce toys in 'some of his most memorable iconic poses'... more

Derek Acorah's Michael Jackson seance named 2009 worst programme

20.01.10
Derek Acorah's Michael Jackson: The Live Seance has been named the worst programme of the past year... more

Book now for Michael Jackson fan day

13.01.10
The Michael Jackson fan day features his number one impersonator Navi... more

Curious clips do little to resurrect Jacko in This Is It

28.10.09
This Is It shows Jackson centre stage throughout, always moving, often singing and sometimes looking like he is genuinely enjoying himself.... more

Dame Elizabeth Taylor tweets to praise Jacko film

27.10.09
Dame Elizabeth Taylor has used Twitter to heap praise on the Michael Jackson film This Is It.... more

Final Michael Jackson album This Is It hits the shelves

26.10.09
A new album of Michael Jackson's music was released today, kicking off a week of celebrations of the late singer's life.... more

Michael Jackson’s latest song unveiled to public

12.10.09
Audio: It has been nearly four months since his death but today Michael Jackson’s latest song was unveiled to the public... more

Jackson did have a skin complaint

02.10.09
Michael Jackson was generally in good health at the time of his death aged 50 - but was suffering from a skin complaint that left him with patches of white skin, an autopsy report reveals today. The report says the singer's arms were covered with punctures, his face and neck were scarred and he had tattooed eyebrows and lips. ... more

Tottenham teen rapper Chipmunk gains his spurs with Mobo win

01.10.09
British groups dominated the Mobo awards this year, with both X Factor finalists JLS and hip hop trio N-Dubz scooping two awards each... more

Michael Jackson tapes reveal love for Hitler and James Bulger killers

25.09.09
Michael Jackson praised Hitler and wanted to hug the killers of James Bulger, according to a series of taped conversations which have only now come to light ... more

Hot tickets: London's going out guide

18.09.09
With more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage shot as the king of pop prepared for his London run, Michael Jackson: This Is It is worth booking now.... more

Michael Jackson Vienna tribute moved to London

11.09.09
A Michael Jackson tribute concert to be held in Vienna this month was cancelled today.... more

From tributes to homicide: the delayed burial

04.09.09
Michael Jackson, a source of fascination, adoration and criticism in equal measure, lived a life like no other... more

Jackson joins 'cemetery of stars'

04.09.09
Michael Jackson joins a long list of famous Americans who have been laid to rest in a Forest Lawn cemetery over the last century... more

Michael Jackson to be buried at cemetery of the stars

03.09.09
Final preparations for the burial of Michael Jackson taking place ahead of private ceremony attended by the pop singer's close friends and family in California... more

Jackson's final resting place in cemetery of the stars

03.09.09
... more

More related topics: Michael Jackson and

  • Facts
  • Immediately after Jackson’s death, record shops around the world sold out of his albums and singles, and Jackson’s music rose to Number 1 on various music charts
  • Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller is the best-selling album of all time, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide.
  • Jackson is one of few artists to have been inducted twice in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (for his performances in the Jackson 5, and his solo career)
  • Jackson performed at the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII, the nationally televised American football playoffs final. During his performance, it became the first Super Bowl to have television ratings increase during the halftime show.
  • In the 1980s Jackson was diagnosed with lupus and vitiligo, a skin disorder, where the skin undergoes depigmentation.

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