# Michael Jackson-wiki By [Michael Jackson lover](https://paragraph.com/@michael-jackson-lover) · 2022-08-07 --- _For other uses, see_ [_Michael Jackson (disambiguation)_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson_\(disambiguation\))_._ _"King of Pop" redirects here. For other uses, see_ [_King of Pop (disambiguation)_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Pop_\(disambiguation\))_._ Michael Jackson Jackson performing in 1988 BornMichael Joseph Jackson August 29, 1958 [Gary, Indiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary,_Indiana), U.S.DiedJune 25, 2009 (aged 50) Los Angeles, California, U.S.Cause of death[Acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Michael_Jackson)Burial place[Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Lawn_Memorial_Park_\(Glendale\)), CaliforniaOther namesMichael Joe JacksonOccupation * Singer * songwriter * dancer * record producer Spouse(s) * [Lisa Marie Presley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Marie_Presley) ​ ​ (m. 1994; div. 1996)​ * [Debbie Rowe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Rowe) ​ ​ (m. 1996; div. 1999)​ Children3, including [Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Jackson)Parent(s) * [Joe Jackson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Jackson_\(manager\)) * [Katherine Jackson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Jackson) Family[Jackson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_family)Awards[Full list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Michael_Jackson)**Musical career**Genres * [Pop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_music) * [soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_music) * [funk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funk) * [rhythm and blues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_and_blues) * [rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_music) * [disco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disco) * [post-disco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-disco) * [dance-pop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance-pop) * [new jack swing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_jack_swing) Instrument(s)VocalsYears active1964–2009Labels * [Steeltown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steeltown_Records) * [Motown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motown) * [Epic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Records) * [Legacy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_Recordings) * [Sony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Music) * MJJ Productions Formerly of[The Jackson 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jackson_5)Website[michaeljackson.com](http://michaeljackson.com/)Signature **Michael Joseph Jackson** (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer and philanthropist. Dubbed the "[King of Pop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorific_nicknames_in_popular_music)", he is regarded as [one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_impact_of_Michael_Jackson). Over a four-decade career, his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in [popular culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_culture). Jackson influenced artists across many music genres; through stage and video performances, he popularized complicated dance moves such as the [moonwalk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonwalk_\(dance\)), to which he gave the name, as well as the [robot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_\(dance\)). He is the [most awarded individual music artist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Michael_Jackson) in history. The eighth child of the [Jackson family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_family), Jackson made his professional debut in 1964 with his older brothers [Jackie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Jackson), [Tito](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Jackson), [Jermaine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jermaine_Jackson), and [Marlon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlon_Jackson) as a member of [the Jackson 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jackson_5) (later known as the Jacksons). Jackson began his solo career in 1971 while at [Motown Records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motown). He became a solo star with his 1979 album [_Off the Wall_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off_the_Wall). His [music videos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson_videography), including those for "[Beat It](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_It)", "[Billie Jean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Jean)", and "[Thriller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_\(song\))" from his 1982 album [_Thriller_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_\(album\)), are credited with breaking [racial barriers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-black_racism_in_the_United_States) and transforming the medium into an artform and promotional tool. He helped propel the success of [MTV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV) and continued to innovate with videos for the albums [_Bad_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_\(album\)) (1987), [_Dangerous_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangerous_\(Michael_Jackson_album\)) (1991), and [_HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIStory:_Past,_Present_and_Future,_Book_I) (1995). _Thriller_ became the [best-selling album of all time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_albums), while _Bad_ was the first album to produce five U.S. [_Billboard_ Hot 100](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100) number-one singles.[\[nb 1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#cite_note-1) From the late 1980s, Jackson became a figure of controversy and speculation due to his [changing appearance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_and_appearance_of_Michael_Jackson), [relationships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_relationships_of_Michael_Jackson), behavior, and lifestyle. In 1993, he was [accused of sexually abusing the child](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_child_sexual_abuse_accusations_against_Michael_Jackson) of a family friend. The lawsuit was settled out of civil court; Jackson was not indicted due to lack of evidence. In 2005, he was [tried and acquitted](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Michael_Jackson) of further child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges. The [FBI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI_files_on_Michael_Jackson) found no evidence of criminal conduct on Jackson's behalf in either case. In 2009, while preparing for a series of comeback concerts, [This Is It](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_It_\(concert_residency\)), Jackson [died](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Michael_Jackson) from an overdose of [propofol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propofol) administered by his personal physician, [Conrad Murray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conrad_Murray), who was [convicted in 2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_v._Murray) of [involuntary manslaughter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Involuntary_manslaughter). Jackson is one of the [best-selling music artists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists) of all time, with estimated sales of over 400 million records worldwide.[\[nb 2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson#cite_note-10) He had 13 [_Billboard_ Hot 100 number-one singles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_artists_by_number_of_Billboard_Hot_100_number-one_singles) (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era) and was the first artist to have a top-ten single in the _Billboard_ Hot 100 in five different decades. He is regarded by the [RIAA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America) as the highest-selling individual music artist of all time worldwide. His honors include 15 [Grammy Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Awards), 6 [Brit Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brit_Awards), a [Golden Globe Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Globe_Award), and 39 [Guinness World Records](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness_World_Records), including the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time". Jackson's inductions include the [Rock and Roll Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame_inductees) (twice), the [Vocal Group Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_Group_Hall_of_Fame), the [Songwriters Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songwriters_Hall_of_Fame), the [Dance Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Dance_and_Hall_of_Fame) (the only recording artist to be inducted), and the [Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_and_Blues_Music_Hall_of_Fame). In 2016, his estate earned $825 million, the highest yearly amount for a celebrity ever recorded by [_Forbes_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes). --- *Originally published on [Michael Jackson lover](https://paragraph.com/@michael-jackson-lover/michael-jackson-wiki)*