Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson sold millions of records during his career. He earned the title “King of Pop,” but his fans and friends called him “MJ.”

A teacher recognized Michael Jackson’s singing and dancing talents in kindergarten. By age 8, Michael was the lead singer in his brothers’ Motown band. The Jackson 5 had numerous hits, including ABC, I Want You Back, and I’ll Be There. Michael later referred to his own child voice as “Minnie-Mouse-like.”

Michael Jackson’s solo career took off in the 1980s. His second album, Thriller, remains the largest selling album  of all time. “Billie Jean” was the first video of a black artist to air on MTV. In 1983, Michael Jackson debuted his signature dance move, the “Moonwalk.”

In the 1990s, tabloid newspapers put Michael Jackson under the spotlight. Journalists accused him of lying about  a skin disease. They also wrote about his cosmetic surgery. During this time he married and divorced Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie. He also married and had two children with his nurse, Debbie Rowe. When his second marriage failed, Michael Jackson took custody of the children. A surrogate mother later gave Michael his third child.

Michael claimed to be the biological father of Prince, Paris, and Blanket.

Michael Jackson complained that he missed his childhood. He tried to make up for this loss as an adult. He invited children to enjoy Neverland, his private ranch and theme park. Jackson kept several exotic pets, including snakes, llamas, and Bubbles the chimpanzee. He was accused of having inappropriate relationships with children.

Michael Jackson died from a pain killer overdose in 2009. His doctor was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prior to his death, 50-year-old Jackson was rehearsing for This Is It, a sold-out concert series in London. Before he died, Michael Jackson left a voice recording on his doctor’s phone: “When people leave my show, I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this in my life . . . He’s the greatest entertainer in the world.’ ”