Michael Jackson came into this world on August 29, 1958. He was born in Gary, Indiana. His parents, Katherine Esther Scruse and Joseph Walter Jackson were of modest means. Katherine was a dedicated Jehovah’s Witness and Joseph worked in a steel mill. Michael was born into a musical family. Joseph performed with The Falcons, an R&B band.

Joseph Jackson wasted little time achieving vicariously through his sons. Joseph turned his sons into performers and started a family performing team. Michael Jackson and his brother Marlon would join this group in 1964. Michael was only 8 years old when he started singing backup vocals and dancing. Michael and Marlon quickly became the lead and the performing team was named The Jackson Five.

Michael Jackson was not destined to be in a group. Even though the Jackson Five found celebrity, he was destined to be a solo performer. In the late 1970s, Michael struck out on his own. By 1982, Michael Jackson was releasing his second solo album. Thriller became the most successful album of all times. Thriller stayed on Billboards top 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. RIAA certified Thriller for 28 million shipments, earning Thriller Double Diamond status. Worldwide, Thriller sold between 47 million and 109 million copies.

Being just another performer is not what Jackson had in mind. He would also become an author in 1988 adding the title of author to his arsenal. Moon Walk, his autobiography, would take nearly four years to complete and would sell over 200,000 copies.

In 1988, Michael Jackson purchased land near Santa Ynez, California. On this land, he built world infamous Neverland Ranch. Michael Jackson spent a total of $17 million on Neverland Ranch. He installed Ferris wheels, a zoo, and a movie theatre. He also hired over 40 security officers. In 2003 it would be appraised for a whopping $100 million.

Title of singer was not enough for Jacko. He released his first book, Moon Walk, in 1988. Moon Walk was an autobiography that took Jacko four years to write. Over 200,000 people purchased the book.

In May 1994 Jackson was married for the first time to Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley. Jackson and Presley’s marriage was short lived, and would end in a divorce 2 years later. They would still remain friends after the divorce.

Hoping for true love and a second attempt at a long lasting marriage, Jackson would remarry on November 14, 1996. The bride would be identified at Debbie Rowe, Michael’s dermatology nurse. Together they would have 2 children. A boy and a girl. Michel Joseph Jackson a.k.a. Prince Michael Jackson, and Paris Katherine Michael Jackson. In only 3 short years the couple would call it quits and Debbie Rowe would give full custody right of the children over to their father Michael.

In 2002, Jacko’s third child would be born. Prince Michael Jackson II. The mother’s identity was never released by Jackson, but he would say that the child was the result of an artificial insemination from a surrogate mother and his own sperm cells.

Accused of molestation again in 2003 by 13 year old Gavin Arvizo, Jacko would be charged with seven counts of molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a minor. Jackson once again was a media sensation and would deny all charges filed against him.

His trial, People vs. Jackson, would officially begin on January 31, 2005 and would last for a period of only 5 months. The trial ended with Jackson being acquitted on all counts.

Prior to his death in 2009, Jacko was in the process of a “Come Back” show. It was scheduled to take place at London’s O2 arena and had sold tickets for an astounding 50 sold out concerts. They were to officially begin on July 13, 2009, with the last show taking place on March 6,2010. The ticket sales had already broken numerous records, according to Jackson’s website.

On June 25,2009, Jacko would collapse at his rented mansion in Los Angeles. All attempts at rescuing him by his personal physician would be unsuccessful. Los Angeles Paramedics would receive a call at 12:22 p.m (PDT), and would arrive three minutes later at Michael Jackson’s residence. According to sources on the scene, Jackson was not breathing and CPR was administered. The CPR would continue for an hour while en route to a local Los Angeles hospital, where Jackson would be pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. local time.

His memorial would be held on July7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angles. His casket was present at the memorial, which was broadcast live all around the world and watched by up to one billion people, but no information would be released about the final resting place of Michael Jackson’s body. RIP Michael “King of Pop” Jackson.

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