- Title: VARIOUS: Michael Jackson dead at 50.
- Date: 26th June 2009
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - 2006) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ** ) VARIOUS OF JACKSON WALKING, SURROUNDED BY A CROWD VARIOUS OF JACKSON AT URI GELLER'S BOOK LAUNCH
- Embargoed: 11th July 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment,Obituaries
- Reuters ID: LVA7RHT3Y9PRELMX5QP3XK0CALYI
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- Story Text: Michael Jackson dead at 50.
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has died in a Los Angeles hopsital after apparently suffering a heart attack. He turned 50 years old last August.
The singer, born in Gary, Indiana to Joseph and Katherine, was the seventh of nine children. His career started when he was a young boy, as part of the quintet known as 'The Jackson 5' -- a group that consisted of Jackson and his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon.
The Jackson 5 were a global phenomenon and produced hit songs such as "ABC" and "I'll Be There," a song later remade by Mariah Carey in the nineties.
In 1971, Jackson launched his solo career with "Got to Be There" which became a top-five hit. Michael also sang the title track for the 1972 motion picture, "Ben".
Jackson's career soared in the 1980s when he became a dominant figure in popular music. A few of his albums have become some of the world's best-selling records: "Off the Wall" (1979), "Thriller" (1982), "Bad" (1987) and "Dangerous" (1991).
In the star's personal life, he was first married to Elvis Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in a marriage that lasted less than two years. The couple wed in May 1994 and Presley filed for divorce in January 1996. Just 10 months later, in November 1996, Jackson married second wife Deborah Rowe. That marriage ended in a divorce in 1999.
Jackson has three children namely Paris Michael, Prince Michael I and Prince Michael II -- known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.
The pop star's life was also marred by accusations of sex abuse and media attention on his eccentric lifestyle.
In August 1993, the Los Angeles police launched a criminal investigation against Jackson following an allegation by a 13-year-old boy that he was sexually molested by the singer. Sources said that Jackson agreed to pay the boy five million U.S. dollars in January 1994, most of it in a trust fund for his future.
Ten years later Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering intoxicating alcohol to a minor with the intent of committing a crime. In June 2005 Jackson stood trial and was cleared of all charges. However, according to testimony during the sensational case, years of extravagant spending left Jackson mired in debt.
In November 2006, Jackson made his first appearance since the trial at the World Music Awards in London.
In February 2008, Jackson released his "Thriller 25" album, a 25th anniversary edition of Thriller. This was met with a moderate success in sales.
Jackson was one of the most successful entertainers of all time with a lifetime record sales of around 750 million U.S. dollars and 13 Grammy Awards.
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