Michael Jackson
Born 1958 · Age 67
American singer, songwriter, dancer and philanthropist; dubbed the "King of Pop." Lead singer of the Jackson 5 and a hugely successful solo artist (Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory, Invincible).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Gary, Indiana
Michael Joseph Jackson born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson in Gary, Indiana.
Joined the Jackson Brothers / public performing debut
Joined his brothers in the family band (Jackson Brothers → Jackson 5); made his public debut as lead singer at about age six.
Won amateur night at Apollo Theater
While touring the East Coast the Jackson 5 won a weekly amateur night at Harlem's Apollo Theater.
First single 'Big Boy' released on Steeltown Records
The Jackson 5 recorded for Gary label Steeltown; first single 'Big Boy' released.
Signed to Motown; family relocated to Los Angeles
The Jackson 5 were signed by Motown Records; the family moved to Los Angeles as part of Motown development.
First national TV appearance (Miss Black America pageant)
Jackson 5 made first TV appearance performing 'It's Your Thing'.
'I Want You Back' hits #1 on Billboard Hot 100
Jackson 5's 'I Want You Back' became their first No.1 single in the US, staying at #1 for four weeks.
Family moved to Hayvenhurst estate in Encino, California
Jackson family moved into Hayvenhurst, a 2-acre estate as career continued to grow.
Released solo album 'Got to Be There'
Michael's solo career released debut album 'Got to Be There' (1972).
Released solo album 'Ben' (and single hit)
Second solo album 'Ben' released; title track became a solo No.1 single.
Released solo album 'Music & Me'
Continued releasing solo work while still performing with the Jackson 5.
Released solo album 'Forever, Michael' and Jacksons left Motown
Final solo album with Motown released; group left Motown and later signed to Epic, renaming themselves the Jacksons.
Moved to New York to star in The Wiz
Moved to NYC to portray the Scarecrow in the film adaptation of The Wiz (directed by Sidney Lumet).
Wrote hit Jacksons songs including 'Shake Your Body'
Became main songwriter for the Jacksons, writing songs like 'Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)'.
Released 'Off the Wall' — solo breakthrough
Off the Wall released; sold over 20 million copies worldwide and produced multiple top-10 singles, launching Jackson as a major solo star.
Won first Grammy for 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough'
Won Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (1979 single); recognition elevated solo reputation.
Secured record-high album royalty rate
Negotiated approximately 37% of wholesale album profit in royalties — among the highest rates in the industry at the time.
Released 'Thriller' — best-selling album in history
Thriller (1982) became the best-selling album worldwide (estimates ~65–70 million copies), produced multiple hit singles and transformed music videos.
Motown 25 TV special performance — moonwalk debut
Performed 'Billie Jean' on Motown 25; debuted the moonwalk and wore trademark rhinestone glove; performance hugely influential.
Signed record-breaking $5M endorsement deal with PepsiCo
Pepsi promotional deal launched the 'New Generation' campaign; the partnership included tour sponsorship and global advertising.
'Thriller' music video debuts on MTV
The 14-minute short film 'Thriller' premiered on MTV and became one of the most famous music videos ever.
Victory Tour (last with brothers) and split announcement
The Jacksons' Victory Tour (1984) played to over two million Americans; Michael announced his split from the group during the final concert.
Won eight Grammy Awards for Thriller (record)
At the 26th Annual Grammys Jackson and Thriller won eight awards — matching the record for most Grammys in one night.
Pepsi commercial accident — hair set on fire
During filming of a Pepsi commercial pyrotechnics ignited his hair, causing second-degree burns; Pepsi later settled and he donated settlement.
Co-wrote 'We Are the World' for USA for Africa
Co-wrote charity single with Lionel Richie; the single raised about $63 million and sold ~20 million copies worldwide.
Purchased ATV Music Publishing catalog
Acquired ATV Music (nearly 4,000 songs including many Beatles songs) for $47.5 million — a decisive move into music publishing ownership.
Starred in Captain EO for Disney theme parks
Worked with George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola on the 3D short film Captain EO (1986) for Disney theme parks.
Diagnosed with vitiligo (reported)
Dermatologist Arnold Klein observed vitiligo and discoid lupus erythematosus; vitiligo later cited as reason for changing skin tone.
Tabloid nickname 'Wacko Jacko' popularized
British tabloid The Sun used the 'Wacko Jacko' label; Jackson came to despise the nickname.
Released 'Bad' — five US #1 singles
Bad produced five Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles and reinforced Jackson's global dominance; album sold ~35 million copies worldwide.
Bad World Tour begins
Bad World Tour began (Sept 12, 1987), running through Jan 27, 1989; set attendance and stadium records in several countries.
Published autobiography 'Moonwalk'
Moonwalk (1988) was published, reached The New York Times bestseller list and sold approximately 200,000 copies early on.
Purchased 2,700-acre Neverland Ranch
Bought 2,700 acres near Santa Ynez, California for roughly $17 million; developed it with amusement rides, zoo, and theater.
Received Grand Vermeil Medal of the City of Paris
Honored by Paris mayor Jacques Chirac during Bad tour.
Entered London's Guildhall through Royal Entrance
Became first commoner to enter London's Guildhall via the building's Royal Entrance.
Released film 'Moonwalker' (direct-to-video US success)
Moonwalker combined music videos and fantasy segments; became the best-selling video cassette in the US and was certified 8× Platinum by the RIAA.
Received Award of Achievement at the American Music Awards
Recognized for career achievements (award tied to successes of Bad era).
Released 'Dangerous' album
Dangerous (1991) co-produced with Teddy Riley; certified 8× platinum in the US and sold ~32 million copies worldwide by 2018.
Renewed contract with Sony for $65M
Signed a record-breaking contract renewal with Sony reportedly worth $65 million.
Dangerous World Tour (June 1992–Nov 1993) grossed ~$100M
Performed over 70 concerts outside the US to 3.5 million people; tour grossed approx. $100 million; sold broadcast rights to HBO for $20M.
Received Officer of National Order of Merit in Gabon
Awarded by Gabonese President Omar Bongo during African visit; crowned 'King Sani' in Ivory Coast ceremonies.
Founded Heal the World Foundation
Established humanitarian charity to aid children affected by war, poverty, and disease and to bring children to Neverland.
Performed Super Bowl XXVII halftime show
Halftime performance reached 133.4 million viewers and boosted album sales; first Super Bowl halftime show to draw more viewers than the game.
Accused of child sexual abuse (first public accusation)
Allegations by the Chandler family emerged in July 1993 leading to police investigations, searches of Neverland and a high-profile civil case and criminal inquiry.
Oprah Winfrey interview — vitiligo revelation
Gave a widely viewed 90-million-plus viewer interview in which he discussed childhood abuse and confirmed he had vitiligo.
Civil settlement with Chandler family (reported)
After 1993 accusations, a civil settlement was reached in 1994 (details and amount controversially reported; Jackson denied wrongdoing).
Married Lisa Marie Presley
Announced marriage to Lisa Marie Presley in August 1994; marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
Released album 'HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I'
Double album combining greatest hits and new material; included 'You Are Not Alone' and 'Scream'; addressed media treatment and personal themes.
Married Debbie Rowe
Married nurse Debbie Rowe (1996); they later had two children via artificial insemination.
Birth of son Michael 'Prince' Jackson Jr.
First child with Debbie Rowe born in 1997 (Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as 'Prince').
Birth of daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson
Daughter Paris born to Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe (1998).
Divorced Debbie Rowe; Michael retained custody
Divorce finalized in 1999; Jackson received full custody of his two children from Rowe marriage.
Released 'Invincible' (final studio album)
Invincible (2001) released; reported as the most expensive album to produce at the time (~$30M production cost); debuted at No.1 amid disputes with Sony.
Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (solo)
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist (he was previously inducted as a member of the Jackson 5).
Birth of third child via surrogate (Prince Michael II, 'Blanket'/'Bigi')
Third child born via surrogate in 2002, originally nicknamed 'Blanket' and later known as Bigi.
Arrested and charged with child molestation (2003)
Arrested and indicted in 2003 on multiple counts related to accusations involving a 13-year-old boy; charges led to a high-profile criminal trial.
Acquitted of all criminal charges
After a 14-week trial, Jackson was found not guilty on all counts on June 13/14, 2005.
'Thriller' added to the National Recording Registry
Library of Congress selected Thriller for the National Recording Registry (recognized as culturally/historically significant).
Died from acute propofol intoxication
Died at his Los Angeles home on June 25, 2009 while preparing for a comeback tour; death later ruled a homicide related to propofol administered by his physician.
Televised memorial at Staples Center
Public memorial held July 7, 2009 at Staples Center; global viewership widely reported (Wikipedia: estimated 2.5 billion viewers).
Documentary 'This Is It' released posthumously
Documentary of rehearsals for his planned comeback opened in October 2009; made $23M opening weekend and ~$261M worldwide.
Official coroner's report cites acute propofol intoxication
Coroner's report and public release in February 2010 confirmed cause of death included propofol and other sedatives; death ruled homicide.
Posthumous album 'Michael' released
Posthumous album 'Michael' released December 2010 amid controversy over authenticity of some tracks.
Conrad Murray convicted of involuntary manslaughter
Jackson's personal physician Conrad Murray found guilty in November 2011 for administering propofol; sentenced to a maximum four-year term.
Wrongful-death lawsuit vs. AEG Live (jury verdict)
Jackson family filed wrongful-death suit against AEG Live in 2013 seeking up to $1.5B; jury in Oct 2013 found AEG not responsible.
Posthumous album 'Xscape' released
Xscape (2014) featured contemporary contributions and reworked material; included single 'Love Never Felt So Good'.
Estate sold stake in Sony/ATV for reported $750M
Jackson estate sold its share of Sony/ATV in 2016 for reported $750 million — a major estate liquidity event (posthumous).
Named top-earning deceased celebrity (Forbes) - $75M
Forbes reported Jackson as the top-earning dead celebrity (2017) with estimated earnings of $75 million for that year.
Estate received $287.5M for EMI stake
Jackson estate received a reported $287.5 million for its stake in EMI Music Publishing, further increasing estate assets.
'Leaving Neverland' documentary aired — renewed allegations
HBO-screened documentary (Sundance 2019) presenting allegations from two men; estate filed suit claiming defamation and breach.
Half of music catalogue sold to Sony for $600M (largest single-artist music acquisition)
Reported sale in 2024 of half of Jackson's music catalogue to Sony for $600 million — cited as the largest single-artist music acquisition in history.
Lifetime philanthropic giving estimated at $500M
Jackson is reported to have donated an estimated $500 million to charity over his lifetime (figure widely cited in biographies and press).
Legacy: record totals and honors (summary)
By legacy listings: over 500 million records sold, 13 Grammy Awards, inducted into Rock Hall twice, numerous other awards and honors.
Key Achievement Ages
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