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Michael Jackson

American singer, songwriter, and dancer Ask Anything Quick Summary Homework Help Also known as: “King of Pop”, Michael Joe Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson Written by Rickey Vincent Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Last updated June 5, 2026 • Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Top Questions

Who was Michael Jackson?

Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer who was the most popular entertainer in the world in the early and mid-1980s. Widely regarded as the “King of Pop,” he transformed and shattered racial barriers for Black singers and musicians with his multiplatinum albums Off the Wall (1979) and (1982). He became a controversial figure in the 1990s because of accusations against him involving child molestation. In 2003 he was arrested and charged, but he was acquitted in 2005.

How did Michael Jackson die?

On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died of in at age 50. Jackson’s death, which was caused by a lethal combination of and , an , was ruled a . In 2011 Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal doctor, was found guilty of involuntary .

Did Michael Jackson have children?

Yes, Michael Jackson had children. He had a son and a daughter with his second wife, Debbie Rowe: Michael Joseph (called Prince, born in 1997) and Paris-Michael Katherine (called Paris, born in 1998). In 2002 Jackson had a third child, Prince Michael (nicknamed Blanket, later changed to Bigi) via a .

How many times was Michael Jackson married?

Michael Jackson was married twice. His first marriage was to , the daughter of singer . Jackson and Lisa Marie first met when she was seven and Jackson was a teen star with . They married in 1994 and divorced in 1996. Jackson then married nurse Debbie Rowe, with whom he had two children, Michael Joseph (called Prince) and Paris-Michael Katherine (called Paris). Jackson and Rowe divorced in 1999. Although Jackson went on to have a third child, Prince Michael (nicknamed Blanket, later changed to Bigi), via a , he never married again.

How old was Michael Jackson when he died?

Michael Jackson was 50 years old when he died on June 25, 2009, in . He died of caused by a lethal combination of and , an . Shortly before he died, he was preparing for a series of high-profile concerts that he hoped would spark a comeback.

Did Michael Jackson have vitiligo?

Yes, Michael Jackson had , a medical condition that causes patchy loss of  pigment from the . Clinically, vitiligo appears as milk-white irregularly oval patches of skin, which are small at the beginning but enlarge gradually. For many years Jackson, who was , had faced rumors that he bleached his skin in an attempt to “look white.” However, he revealed his diagnosis in 1993 in a televised interview with , telling her that his skin started to change in the early 1980s, about the time he released his massive-selling album (1982). After Jackson’s death in 2009, the report confirmed that he had vitiligo.

Where was Michael Jackson born?

Michael Jackson was born in , , on August 29, 1958.

How did Michael Jackson become famous?

Michael Jackson got his start in , a group with his brothers Tito, Jackie, Marlon, and Jermaine. After signing with in 1969, the Jackson 5 produced such hits as “ABC” and “I Want You Back.” Michael Jackson’s first solo album, Off the Wall, which was released in 1979, included the massive hit “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” and others.

What were Michael Jackson’s accomplishments?

Michael Jackson won 13 , including 8 for the album (1982). Jackson was inducted into the twice: in 1997 as a member of (a group he performed in as a child with his brothers) and in 2001 for his solo career. Jackson also helped open the doors for Black artists on the radio and on television, particularly .

Who plays Michael Jackson in the movie Michael?

Pop music superstar Michael Jackson is played by his nephew Jaafar Jackson in the movie Michael (2026), a biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua. Jaafar Jackson is the son of Jermaine Jackson, one of Michael’s brothers and a fellow member of in the 1960s and ’70s. The movie also stars Colman Domingo as the Jackson family patriarch, Joseph, and Nia Long as the family’s matriarch, Katherine. Michael Jackson’s manager John Branca is played by Miles Teller, and producer is portrayed by Kendrick Sampson.

Who was Bill Bray, Michael Jackson’s bodyguard?

Bill Bray (1925–2005) was head of security for for a number of years, becoming a confidante and father figure. While a Los Angeles police officer, he worked part-time providing security for the . In 1981 he became director of security for both the group and Michael Jackson, and he remained in that role after Jackson embarked on a solo career. The two were close, and in a letter Jackson thanked him “for being a father.” According to reports, Bray retired in 1996, though Jackson continued to provide financial support. Bray died in 2005 at the age of 80.

What happened to Michael Jackson’s father?

was one of 10 children born to Joseph “Joe” Jackson and Katherine (née Scruse) Jackson. (One child died shortly after birth.) Joe, who worked at a steel mill, was a musician and was known as a strict disciplinarian. After recognizing his children’s musical abilities, he formed , a pop group that eventually included Michael and several of his brothers. The group signed with and achieved international success in the 1970s. Joe reportedly had them rehearse for up to five hours daily, and he would use a switch or belt to punish mistakes. He also gave some of his children cruel nicknames, allegedly calling Michael “Big Nose.” (Some biographers claim it was Michael’s brothers who called him by that name.)

By the early 1980s, Joe had founded his own record label, and he was involved in launching the career of his youngest daughter, . He also played a role in Michael’s early solo career in the 1970s and ’80s. Michael and several of his siblings later claimed that Joe had been physically and emotionally abusive, allegations that Joe denied. Around this time Joe and Katherine separated, though they remained married. Michael reportedly provided his mother with a monthly stipend, and she in turn gave some of the money to Joe.

Michael Jackson died in 2009, and he left nothing to his father in the will. Joe Jackson died in 2018 from pancreatic cancer. He was 89.

What were the sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson?

In 1993 was accused of sexually molesting a 13-year-old boy he had befriended; a civil suit was settled out of court.

Ten years later, however, the singer was arrested and charged (in November 2003) with child molestation involving a different boy than the 1993 case. Among those who were called to testify in Jackson’s defense during the trial was actor , who had become friends with Jackson when he was nine years old and Jackson was an adult. Culkin maintained that he had never experienced anything inappropriate with the singer. After a 14-week trial, Jackson was acquitted in 2005.

Jackson died in 2009, but more accusations emerged after his death. In 2019 the documentary Leaving Neverland highlighted the claims of two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who said that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children. (Neither was a subject of the court cases in 1993 and 2005.) Jackson’s estate sued HBO and denied the men’s allegations. In 2026 the case against HBO was dismissed after a settlement that involved removing Leaving Neverland from the channel’s programming. Robson and Safechuck both pursued civil suits against Jackson’s estate.

New claims of abuse and child grooming arose after the release of the biopic Michael—this time from a family that included five children who had befriended Jackson in the 1990s. Although the family had publicly defended the singer on many occasions, including after his death, in 2026 they sued his estate. A lawyer for the estate denied the allegations and called the lawsuit “a desperate money grab.”

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Michael Jackson (born August 29, 1958, Gary, Indiana, U.S.—died June 25, 2009, Los Angeles, California) was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer who was one of the most popular and influential entertainers in the world in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Jackson transformed in the 1980s, earning himself the title “King of Pop.” His influence went beyond songwriting and to revolutions in , touring, presentation, and production. He also shattered racial barriers for Black singers and musicians at a time when American had become and artists were struggling to get their videos played during prime viewing hours on .

Michael Jackson’s Middle Name

Jackson’s name appeared as “Michael Joe Jackson” on his driver’s license (issued in 1985), according to California Department of Motor Vehicles documents reproduced in records; that name was also used in California court records. However, Jackson’s name appeared as “Michael Joseph Jackson” in autopsy reports and on a death certificate, as well as in a will filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court shortly after his death.

When Jackson released his blockbuster album (1982), he became one of the most recognized figures in the world. But with such fame came rumors of a bizarre lifestyle, followed by accusations that he had several boys. After various legal battles, Jackson rarely performed in public and had enormous financial and a secret on prescription . He was in the midst of preparing for a comeback tour when he died from a administered by his personal physician. His death shocked the world, leaving fans and critics alike to wrestle with a problematic but undeniably monumental artistic .

The Jackson 5

Raised in , , in one of the most acclaimed musical families of the era, Michael Jackson was the youngest and most talented of five brothers (including , Tito, , and ) whom their father, Joseph, shaped into a dazzling group of child stars known as the . Joseph Jackson was a former boxer who worked as a crane operator in a mill and played guitar in a band. In 1949 he married Katherine Scruse, whom he met at a party and who was a talented pianist and singer. After they married, Katherine Jackson worked part time at a . They had nine children and lived in a two-bedroom house in Gary. In his autobiography, Michael wrote of their family home, “You could take five steps from the front door and you’d be out the back.”

An idea struck Joseph when he discovered a few of his sons playing his and recognized that they had some musical talent. Believing that this could be the family’s ticket to a better life, he began training his sons as musicians to shape them into a band. Eventually, five-year-old Michael was recruited as the group’s lead singer.

According to several members of the Jackson family, Joseph was strict with his children, and his included physical abuse. As Michael later recounted, “He’d sit at home with us every day after school and rehearse us. We’d perform for him and he’d us. If you messed up, you got hit, sometimes with a belt, sometimes with a switch.” The young Jacksons rehearsed for hours every day, and they soon began performing as the Jackson 5 in clubs on the . From backstage, Michael was able to watch and learn from the performances of other artists, including and (R&B) greats such as and , with whom the Jacksons sometimes shared a booking.

president , was impressed with the group and signed them in 1969. Sporting the loudest fashions, the largest Afros, the snappiest , and a youthful, soulful exuberance, the Jackson 5 became an immediate success. They scored four consecutive number one pop hits with “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There” in 1970. Michael was singled out by music critics as a “.” He was soon topping the pop charts as a solo performer with “Ben”, and he reached number two with “Rockin’ Robin.” With the Jackson 5 he continued to produce trendsetting dance tracks such as “Dancing Machine.” The family’s string of hits for Motown lasted through 1975 and earned them two .

As Michael matured, his voice changed, family tensions arose, and a contract standoff ensued. The group finally broke with Motown, moving to Epic Records as the Jacksons. Jermaine remained at Motown as a solo performer and was replaced by the youngest Jackson brother, Randy. As a recording act, the Jacksons enjoyed consistent success through 1984. Their sisters, Rebbie, La Toya, and, most successfully, , embarked on their own singing careers in the early 1980s; however, Michael’s solo albums took on an entirely different status.

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The Wiz and Off the Wall

In 1978 Jackson starred with in the , a reimagining of featuring Black actors. “Ease On Down the Road” from the film’s soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy for best R&B vocal performance by a duo, group, or chorus; significantly, it was Jackson’s first Grammy nomination for a performance that did not include his brothers.

Jackson’s first solo effort for Epic, (1979), exceeded all expectations and was the best-selling album of the year (it eventually sold more than 20 million copies). Produced by industry veteran , Off the Wall the massive international hit singles “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You,” both of which showcased Jackson’s energetic style and capitalized on the contemporary movement. The former song also won him his first Grammy, for best R&B male vocal performance. But Jackson was miffed that Off the Wall received only two Grammy nominations and no recognition for . He later wrote in his autobiography, “That experience lit a fire in my soul. All I could think of was the next album and what I would do with it. I wanted it to be truly great.”

Thriller

Three years later he returned with another collaboration with Jones, , a tour de force that featured an array of guest stars and elevated Jackson to worldwide superstardom. Thriller captured a of awards, including seven Grammys. (Jackson won an eighth Grammy for his narration of the audiobook E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, which made him the first artist to win eight Grammys in one night.) Thriller remained on the charts for more than two years and sold more than 65 million copies globally, holding the distinction of best-selling album in history.

The first single on the album, “,” an easygoing duet with , went to number one on the charts and number two on the pop charts in the fall of 1982. The follow-up single, “,” an electrifying dance track and the vehicle for Jackson’s trademark “moonwalk” dance, topped the pop charts. In May 1983 he appeared with his brothers on the  special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. After a medley of Jackson 5 hits, Jackson the moonwalk while performing “Billie Jean”; the moment established Jackson as a pop culture phenomenon.

Jackson stretched into territory with the song “” which features a raucous solo from famed guitarist . Moreover, “Beat It” helped break down the artificial barriers between Black and white artists on the radio and in the emerging format of . (For a discussion of Thriller and its influence, see .)

The “King of Pop”

By 1984 Jackson was renowned worldwide as the “King of Pop.” His much anticipated Victory reunion tour with his brothers was one of the most popular concert events of 1984. In 1985 Jackson and wrote “,” the signature single for USA for Africa, an all-star project aimed at relief. His album Bad (1987) produced five chart-topping hits, among them the title song and “Man in the Mirror.” It also features the single “Leave Me Alone,” a response to the pile-up of rumors about his lifestyle that had been accumulating since the release of Thriller. These rumors portrayed Jackson as an recluse living out his childhood fantasies on his Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, , often citing such belongings as his , pet named Bubbles, and personal full-scale amusement park as evidence. As if to take greater control of his personal narrative, the following year he published an , Moonwalk, and released an experimental film, Moonwalker, which combined several of his music videos with short and biographical segments.

Much of Jackson’s next album, Dangerous (1991), was produced by New Jack Swing sensation . Another huge success in record sales, it solidified Jackson’s dominance of pop music. In 1995 he released HIStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book I, which featured a combination of hits and new songs, including the number-one ballad “You Are Not Alone” and “Scream,” a duet with his sister Janet. Two years later the Jackson 5 were inducted into the , and Jackson was inducted as a solo artist in 2001. That same year he released Invincible, which debuted at number one but did not spend nearly as much time on the album charts as his previous records had. It was Jackson’s last studio album.

Child molestation accusations

Jackson’s lifestyle grew increasingly controversial in the early 1990s. His reputation was seriously damaged in 1993 when he was accused of child molestation by a 13-year-old boy he had befriended; a civil suit was settled out of court. In 1994 Jackson secretly married , the daughter of , but their marriage lasted less than two years. Shortly after, Jackson married again, to nurse Debbie Rowe. This marriage produced two children—Michael Joseph (called Prince) and Paris-Michael Katherine (called Paris)—though the relationship, too, ended in . (In 2002 Jackson had a third child, Prince Michael—nicknamed Blanket, later changed to Bigi—via a .)

While Jackson remained an international celebrity, his image in the was slow to recover, and it suffered even more in November 2003 when he was arrested and charged with child molestation involving a different boy than the 1993 case. Called to testify in Jackson’s defense during the trial that ensued was actor , who had met and become friends with Jackson when he was nine years old and Jackson was an adult. Culkin said they bonded over their common experiences of having to deal with fame at a young age and having fathers. Culkin maintained that he had never experienced anything inappropriate with Jackson. After a 14-week trial that became something of a media circus, Jackson was in 2005.

Financial difficulties and death

In the wake of these events, Jackson suffered a financial collapse that resulted in the sale of many of his considerable assets, including, ultimately, his lavish Neverland Ranch. He was preparing for a series of high-profile concerts that he hoped would spark a comeback when he died suddenly of on June 25, 2009. His death prompted a outpouring of grief from his fans that culminated in a memorial celebration of his life and legacy on July 7 at the Staples Center in , featuring tributes by friends and luminaries such as , , , and . In August 2009 the coroner ruled Jackson’s death a ; the cause was a lethal combination of and , an . In November 2011 Jackson’s personal physician was found guilty of involuntary .

Legacy

Grammy Numbers

Jackson won 13 out of 38 career nominations. Thirty of Jackson’s songs reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, 13 of which hit number one.

The This Is It, which drew from more than 100 hours of footage compiled during rehearsals for Jackson’s scheduled 50-concert comeback engagement in , premiered in October 2009. Later documentaries include Leaving Neverland (2019), which aired on and centers on two men, Robson and James Safechuck, who allege that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children. Although both men sued Jackson’s estate after Jackson’s death, neither was a subject of the court cases in 1993 and 2005. Jackson’s estate responded by suing HBO and denying the men’s allegations, calling the film “a complete fiction.” In 2026 the case against HBO was dismissed after a settlement that involved removing Leaving Neverland from the channel’s programming. Robson and Safechuck, however, stood by their claims and continued to pursue their suits against the estate.

Michael (2026), a biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, generated controversy even before its release, with members of the Jackson family expressing very different opinions about its accuracy. Notably, the film’s narrative ends in the late 1980s, before the . In the meantime, new claims of abuse and child grooming emerged from a family that included five children, all of whom had befriended Jackson in the 1990s. Although the family had publicly defended the singer on many occasions, including after his death, in 2026 they sued his estate. A lawyer for the estate denied the allegations and called the lawsuit “a desperate money grab.”

Quick Facts In full: Michael Joseph Jackson (Show more) Or: Michael Joe Jackson (Show more) Born: August 29, 1958, Gary, Indiana, U.S. (Show more) Died: June 25, 2009, Los Angeles, California (aged 50) (Show more) Awards And Honors: (Show more) Notable Works: (Show more) Notable Family Members: sister (Show more) On the Web: (May 20, 2026) (Show more) Show More

In 2007 the U.S. inducted Thriller into the , a list of audio recordings deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Two years later his 14-minute music video “Thriller” (1983), directed by , was inducted into the —the first music video to be so honored. In 2010 Jackson posthumously received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.