The brief life of the most successful performer in history was so filled with myths, rumors, scandals, and neuroses that the topic couldn’t be avoided even at his funeral. “There was nothing strange about him,” noted the pastor during the farewell to the 50-year-old “King of Pop and Sensation,” “what was bizarre was what he had to face.”
Unmatched No. 1
Michael Jackson’s name has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records 25 times. This recognition reflects his groundbreaking contributions to the development of popular music, the video industry, dance, and fashion. The legendary artist, producer, arranger, screenwriter, choreographer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist boasts 15 Grammy Awards, and his total record sales have surpassed one billion. Notably, the pop idol has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once as a solo artist and once as a member of the family group Jackson 5, organized by his father.
Childhood Trauma
Jackson began performing at the age of five alongside his four older brothers. Before the eyes of all America, the gifted child secured “adult” contracts for the extraordinary child group. As the seventh child in a family of nine (or, according to other sources, the eighth of ten), early work opened the door to personal fame, but after achieving it, Jackson dared to confess what it cost him. In 1993, the superstar from Indiana revealed the secret behind his avoidance of contact with his father, who had propelled him onto the big stage. It turned out that this relationship had scarred his psyche from a young age. The adult son recalled his father’s sadism with tears. No rehearsal went without torment: the use of a belt began as soon as the children glanced at the sheet music. Everyone suffered, including older brother Marlon, whom their father would whip by lifting him by the legs and holding him upside down above the floor.
The Jackson 5
Doubtful “Parenting”
Joseph Jackson passed away in 2018 without ever acknowledging his mistakes. The dubious parenting methods of the cruel father were justified by him as a means to achieve results: he claimed that beatings instilled discipline. However, the father’s tyranny left a lasting mark on Michael. Fear led to bouts of vomiting and neurotic disorders. He was even terrorized during sleep. Once, the child woke up to horrifying screams and saw an aggressive shadow by his bed. In the darkness, a terrifying ghost raged. It was his father, who had climbed into the bedroom through the window, teaching him to keep it locked at night. From that moment on, the sensitive Michael became dependent on sedatives: due to the imposed fear of nighttime abduction, he became anxious and could not fall asleep without sleeping pills for the rest of his life.
Michael as a child
At the Dawn of Music Videos
The 1980s marked the “golden” era of Michael Jackson. His 1982 album Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time. Collaborating with director John Landis, Michael Jackson created a 14-minute video that set the standards for music videos. Alongside other clips from the artist, it contributed to the birth of the video music industry on MTV: the first records in regular rotation on the music channel consisted of revolutionary hits from the Black singer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMa
“Moonwalk”
In 1983, during a performance of Billie Jean, Michael Jackson captivated audiences with the first demonstration of his signature stage invention—the “moonwalk.” The eponymous music film, released five years later, sold 800,000 copies and grossed $67 million at the box office. Michael’s “anti-gravity lean” was an impressive dance experiment for the video of Smooth Criminal. To “trick” gravity, the artist used patented techniques for which he registered copyrights. American patent No. 5255452 was granted for special shoes designed specifically for the innovative maneuver. The development of these exclusive stage shoes included grooves in the heels, allowing for the desired effect. When the groove caught on a peg that extended from the stage during the artist’s movement, the dancer could lean forward at an impossible 45-degree angle without the risk of falling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPkw5yV2mk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPkw5yV2mk
Doing Good
In 1984, Michael Jackson received an award from President Ronald Reagan for funding charitable programs aimed at overcoming alcohol and drug addiction. The artist directed $5 million towards this cause, generated from the proceeds of the largest tour at the time—55 concerts in the U.S. and Canada. The following year, $61.8 million from the sales of the single We Are the World, co-written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, was donated to help starving people in Ethiopia.
Michael Jackson meeting Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy at the White House, 1984
From Collaboration to Conflict
Michael Jackson worked with Freddie Mercury. According to colleagues of the Queen frontman, the superstars mutually appreciated each other and recorded a few tracks together, but due to their busy schedules, they couldn’t continue collaborating. In a duet with Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson topped the American charts in 1984 with the single Say Say Say. However, a year later, a rift developed between the musicians: the conflict with his British colleague arose from Michael Jackson’s purchase of a significant portion of ATV Music Publishing shares. This company held the rights to much of The Beatles’ catalog, and McCartney had planned to acquire those shares himself.
Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury
Burns and Myths
On January 27, 1984, Jackson was filming a Pepsi commercial with his brothers when he was injured by pyrotechnics. The artist’s hair accidentally caught fire from the flames of fireworks in the background. Not immediately realizing the danger, Michael continued to stay on camera and suffered second- and third-degree burns to his scalp. In the hospital, the injured star visited a children’s burn unit, which left a haunting impression on him. Jackson could have received a substantial personal settlement from Pepsi, but he chose to open a children’s burn center with the company instead. It was during this time that he filmed a commercial for an oxygen chamber for burn patients, posing inside the capsule with his eyes closed. The image of Jackson in a sleeping position gave rise to the myth that he used the chamber for sleep. One tabloid suggested it was due to burns to his airways, while another attributed it to the artist’s pursuit of longevity. In reality, Michael Jackson only entered the medical equipment once—for the shoot.
A New Face
However, such incidents did not come without consequences. The burn incident led Michael to discover plastic surgery: he needed to restore his hair and damaged skin areas. Additionally, stress triggered the progression of vitiligo—a hereditary pigmentation disorder (which he inherited from his mother). The white patches on his dark skin required makeup and forced him to avoid sunlight, leading the artist to hide his face behind masks. The issue was resolved either by restoring natural pigmentation on the damaged skin or by removing the “native” pigment from healthy areas to even out his skin tone. Jackson chose depigmentation: he lightened his entire skin, simultaneously altering the shape of his nose and chin. He always emphasized that he underwent this procedure out of necessity and had no plans to transform into a “white person.” At the same time, Jackson underwent three more transformations: he changed his diet (becoming a vegetarian), lost a significant amount of weight, and “befriended” painkillers. These external changes became fodder for hate and irony in the press.
A Dream Behind the Fence
Burdened by the public’s attention to his persona, Michael spared no expense for personal isolation. In 1987, he purchased the Neverland Ranch for $19.5 million, a secluded estate where he could escape the world on 2,700 acres, where even family members had no free access. His brothers had to request passes to visit the residence, and their father was strictly forbidden from entering. The only exception was made for his mother: Katherine Jackson, who outlived her son, could visit him whenever she pleased. The fantastical amusement park with exotic animals and a real train in a Peter Pan-style estate signaled to psychologists that its owner was compensating for his lost childhood. In the house, which included a dance studio and a 50-seat movie theater, Michael hosted unforgettable parties for friends, and in 1991, it was there that his friend Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding took place. Guests and staff had access to 22 buildings, a basketball court, tennis courts, and a lake with its own beach.
Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch
Was There a Boy?
On the secluded ranch, children lived with whom he played, just as he had in childhood. For this, the adult man paid a price. The most notorious scandals in the star’s later life were the fabricated accusations of child molestation. In 1993, the parents of 13-year-old Jordan Chandler accused the star of sexual advances toward their son. After Michael paid $22 million, the blackmailers withdrew their statement, but their “enrichment scheme” became a template for other extortionists. Ten years later, the story repeated itself with another boy: in 2003, ranch guest Gavin Arvizo became the center of a new scandal. It would have been cheaper for Jackson to settle, as the legal battle cost him $100 million. However, the musician did not want to step on the same rake again and decided to clarify the situation in court. Justice prevailed: under the pressure of evidence, Jackson’s innocence was proven, and his reputation was saved. After the pop king’s death, Jordan Chandler admitted that, in the absence of allegations, his parents had simply used the opportunity to get rich. It was his father, Evan Chandler, who coerced his son into accusing Michael, and he ultimately took his own life.
Sisyphus’s Labor
Legal battles drained Michael Jackson’s bank accounts. He spent over $100 million on lawyers. Earning $500 million throughout his life from his creativity and name, by the time of his death in 2009, the singer had the same amount of debt. His bohemian lifestyle left him “penny-less,” as he spent $30 million a year. Among his purchases were a Bentley car, a pet chimpanzee, valuable works of art, exclusive antiques, and diamond-studded gloves.
To maintain his lavish lifestyle, Jackson secured a $380 million loan against his music catalog and exhausted it by the end of his life. Lacking financial acumen, the creative individual overestimated his potential. Banks, investment funds, and dubious insurers did not assist him in his professional and financial revival. The planned “comeback tour,” likely, led him to an early grave.
In any case, the events listed did not improve the health of the beleaguered Jackson: he became so dependent on painkillers that pharmacy became a part of his life. After the trials, Michael hid from the press in Bahrain, where he prepared to record a charity single in memory of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Despite some invited participants ignoring Jackson’s project, the song I Have This Dream was recorded. However, it turned out to be Sisyphean labor: for some reason, the recording never reached the audience.
Unexpected Support
The person who shared the difficult phase of Michael’s life was Lisa Marie Presley. The daughter of the legendary Elvis was married to Jackson from 1994 to 1996 but continued to support her “ex” even after their divorce. Friends had introduced them in 1975, and they reconnected in 1993. Amid the scandal of child molestation, Michael needed emotional support from a friend more than ever, and she did not refuse him. Jackson proposed marriage a few months later (doing so over the phone). Their wedding took place in the Dominican Republic. After becoming husband and wife in May 1994, the newlyweds kept the event a secret for two months. Upon learning of the news retroactively, the American judiciary declared the marriage fictitious. According to the laws of the Dominican Republic, a divorced woman cannot remarry until three months after the dissolution of her previous marriage. At that time, Lisa Marie had just divorced her former husband.
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson
Second Attempt
In November 1996, Jackson tied the knot with former nurse Debbie Rowe. In this marriage, his twin heirs were born: a son in February 1997 and a daughter in April 1998. Jackson’s third child—his youngest son—was born in February 2002 by a surrogate mother: by that time, Michael had already divorced Debbie Rowe three years earlier (in 1999). Although Jackson tried to avoid showing his children to the public and typically hid their faces with masks, it was evident that they were light-skinned. This led to speculation about Michael’s paternity. Initially, this hypothesis was voiced by actor Mark Lester, and later it was picked up by his personal bodyguard and dermatologist Arnold Klein.
Michael Jackson with his children
Something Went Wrong
In March 2009, Michael Jackson announced his return to the stage. The sensational tour was set to run from July 13, 2009, to March 6, 2010. As part of the This Is It Tour, the singer was scheduled for ten concerts at a 20,000-seat stadium in London, but the overwhelming demand for tickets adjusted plans for an additional forty performances.
Unfortunately, Michael Jackson did not live to see his triumphant return: on June 25, 2009, he suddenly died of cardiac arrest. Arriving home in Los Angeles from rehearsal at one in the morning, the artist pleaded with his personal doctor for “milk” to help him sleep. Conrad Murray claimed he injected the star with 25 mg of medication and left the bedroom while Jackson fell asleep. However, later Michael, according to him, woke up and injected himself with a “horse” dose of propofol from his own supply. Since the injection was quick, his heart could not handle the strain. Subsequently, the court heard numerous expert opinions, including that of sleep specialist Charles Chasler from Harvard Medical School, who left Michael no chance of survival, with or without medication. According to the scientist, Jackson could be considered the only person in medical practice who had not slept for 60 consecutive days. Had it not been for the overdose of sleeping pills, such a patient would have inevitably succumbed to severe insomnia, the doctor noted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DjSEDvWQP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DjSEDvWQP
Who is to Blame?
The multi-stage farewell ceremony for the superstar was watched live by a billion viewers, to whom the organizers of the memorial never revealed the location of the coffin with the body. Only in the final segment of the extended funeral script did it become known where Michael Jackson was laid to rest: his ashes were interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Dr. Conrad Murray, found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, was sentenced to four years in prison and stripped of his medical license. After serving half of his sentence, in 2013, Michael Jackson’s personal doctor was released and reiterated that he could not wish harm on the person with whom he had almost brotherly relations. The physician recalled that at the end of his life, the singer weighed less than 132 pounds at a height of 5’11”. “In trying to save Michael, who was drowning, I sank to the bottom with him,” he metaphorically expressed himself, earning the nickname “Doctor Death” from the star’s fans.
Settling Debts
Ironically, Jackson’s death turned out to be the best turn of events for his finances. In the years following his passing, Michael Jackson has consistently remained the highest-earning deceased celebrity in the world. The fruits of his life, creativity, and talent are now reaped by his heirs, brand owners, and rights holders to various parts of his artistic legacy: companies like Sony, Pepsi, Cirque du Soleil, and others. It turned out that after his death, Michael Jackson “earned” more than he did in his entire life: in terms of profit, this remarkable individual continues to reign as king.
