Michael Jackson: an extraordinary life

Michael Jackson, the undisputed King of Pop, died in Los Angeles on June 25 2009, aged 50. We look back at the life and career of one of the most widely beloved and profoundly influential musicians of all-time

Michael Jackson, the undisputed King of Pop, died in Los Angeles on June 25 2009, aged 50. We look back at the life and career of one of the most widely beloved and profoundly influential musicians of all-time
Born on 29th August 1958 in Gary, Indianna, Michael was the seventh of nine children born to Joe and Katherine Jackson.

He made his professional singing debut as an 11-year-old in the Jackson 5, a group put together by his father, featuring his older siblings.
By 1971, Michael had started a solo career although remained a member of the Jackson 5.

Allegations would later emerge of beatings and emotional abuse dished out to Michael at the hands of his father.
Classic hits such as ABC and I Want You Back, not to mention some unique and innovative dance moves, saw Michael shoot to fame.
Gradually, he forged a career away from the Jackson 5 and, by the early eighties, had already been labelled 'The King of Pop'.
He hit the top of the charts with a string of hits such as Thriller and was soon a dominant force in the pop world.
As his solo career took off, rumours began to circulate about his changing appearance, with suggestions of plastic surgery. Such rumours would plague him for the rest of his life.
Despite the lurid stories persisting, Michael continued to recruit millions of fans worldwide.
As well as producing the multi-million selling albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad, he became a must-see live act, renowned for his epic dance routines.
He popularised a number of complicated dance moves, including the moonwalk.
However, despite his phenomenal success, with further albums, Dangerous, HIStory and Invincible, Michael became an increasingly reclusive figure as his facial features showed ever more dramatic changes.
In 1994, he married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis, but they separated after 19 months.
Two years later he announced that his dermatologist, Debbie Rowe, was pregnant with his child. The pair married and had two children together but divorced in 1999.
Rowe gave custody of the children to Jackson and he later had a third child with an unnamed woman.
His later life was dogged by allegations of child abuse. In 2005 faced a trial on child abuse charges but was cleared on all counts.
More recently, concerns were raised over Jackson's health, with some reports suggesting he was suffering from a form of skin cancer.
He delighted his fans in March when he announced a series of comeback concerts, to be held in London in July.
Tickets for shows were sold out within hours of going on sale, but they were never to take place.
At around midday on Thursday June 25th, paramedics were called to Jackson's home after he apparently suffered cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead two hours later, prompting outpourings of grief from fans the world over.
Michael Joseph Jackson

1958 - 2009