Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the “King of Pop”, he is widely regarded as one of the most culturally significant figures of the 20th century. His musical achievements broke American racial barriers and made him a dominant figure worldwide through his songs, concerts, fashion, and incredible dance moves. His signature moves are the moonwalk, the robot, and the anti-gravity lean. Michael is often deemed the greatest entertainer of all time.
Michael was the 8th child of the Jackson family and made his public debut at age six as the lead singer of the Jackson 5. Michael achieved a major bestselling album in history, with the most success with Thriller (1982). It’s short film-style music videos for the songs “Thriller,” “Beat it,” and “Billie Jean” that redefined the medium as an art form.
Early Life: Michael later said that his father physically and emotionally abused him during the Jackson 5 rehearsals, recalling that Joe often sat with a belt in hand, ready to punish mistakes. Joa eventually acknowledged that he regularly whipped Michael. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon denied that their father was abusive, saying the whippings felt more intense by Michael because disciplined and out of trouble. Michawel described his youth as lonely and isolated.
Accusations: Starting in the mid-1980’s, he came under public scrutiny due to changes in his appearance, relationships, behavior, and lifestyle. He was accused of sexually abusing an 8-year-old boy in 1993. The case was settled out of court in 1994, and Jackson was not indicted due to a lack of evidence.
Health: Michael’s skin had been medium-brown during his youth, but from the mid-1980’s becoming gradually paler. The change drew widespread media coverage, including speculations that he had been bleaching his skin. His dermatologist, Arnold Klein, said he observed in 1983 that Michael had vitiligo, a condition characterized by patches of skin losing pigmentation. Michael used fair colored makeup and possibly skin bleaching prescription creams to cover the uneven blotches caused by the illness. The creams would depigment blotches, and with makeup, he would appear very pale. Jackson said he had not purposely bleached his skin and could not control his vitiligo, adding, “When people make up stories that I don’t want to be who I am, it hurts me.”
Michael discussed in his 1988 autobiography and a 1993 interview having only two rhinoplasty surgeries and a cleft chin surgery. He mentioned losing weight in the early 1980’s because of his dietary change to achieve a dancer’s body. Witnesses reported him often being dizzy and speculated that he was suffering from anorexia nevosa. Periods of weight loss became a recurring problem later on. After Michael passed, his mother talked about him first turning to cosmetic procedures to address his vitiligo and avoid looking like a “spotted cow”. She said there were more than the two cosmetic surgeries he claimed, and speculated that he son had become addicted to them.
Pets: When Michael took his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, on tour in Japan, the media portrayed him as an aspiring Disney cartoon character who befriended animals. He later on adopted many more animals from shelters and facilities, or endangered animals, like his pet lama, and many others.
Neverland: In March 1988, Michael purchased 2,700 acres of land near Santa Ynez, California, to build a new home, Neverland Ranch, at a cost of $17 million. He installed a Ferris wheel, a carousel, a movie theatre, and a zoo. Occupied by a secret staff of 40, the ground was patrolled. Michael states, “Every 3 weeks, we have terminally ill children that come to the house. And I entertain them. And they come here to enjoy themselves.”
Death: Michael died in 2009 from an overdose of propofol administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray. Michael’s death triggered global reactions, creating unprecedented surges of internet traffic and a spike in his music sales. His television memorial service is estimated to have been viewed by more than 2.5 billion people.
Throughout Michael’s life, he created a legacy that would last throughout his death, where fans still yearn and wish to have been born or could have afforded one of his concerts. He created a spark, where one person on the stage, he still had the whole crowd in awe.