Michael Jackson is a name nobody will ever forget. The late ‘King of Pop’ marked his place in musical history with ‘Thriller,’ which went on to become one of the best selling albums of all time! Though his brilliant career was rocked by scandals and successes alike, MJ still has millions of fans all over the world. His music will never grow old.
The Jackson family is one of the most iconic celebrity families of all time and has influenced pop, R&B and soul music a great deal
MJ’s Parents – Joseph “Joe” Walter Jackson and Katherine Esther Jackson
MJ’s parents got married at a young age and immediately started a family. Although his father, Joseph Jackson wanted to become a professional boxer, he realized that boxing wasn’t a good profession for a family man. So he took up a job as an overhead crane operator instead. He saw that all his kids had musical abilities and decided to cash in on that. He formed a band called ‘The Jackson Brothers’ with his three older sons- Tito, Jermaine and Jackie and served as their manager.
After a bit of success locally, he added his two younger sons to the group- Marlon and Michael. The band was renamed ‘The Jackson Five’. In 1969, they signed a Motown record deal, cementing their stardom.
His mother, Katherine, is a staunch Jehovah’s Witness and a stay at home mother. She used to sing and play the piano with them all the time.
MJ’s Siblings – Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, La Toya Jackson and Janet Jackson
Born in Gary, Indiana, the nine children of Joseph and Katherine Jackson had considerable successes, individually and together, and became known as the ‘Royal Family of Pop’. His siblings were Jackie (Sigmund Esco “Jackie” Jackson), Tito (Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson), Jermaine (Jermaine La Jaune Jackson), Marlon (Marlon David Jackson), Randy (Steven Randall Jackson), Rebbie (Maureen Reillette Jackson), La Toya (La Toya Yvonne Jackson) and Janet (Janet Damita Jo Jackson).
MJ Spouse(s) – Lisa Marie Presley (Ex), Deborah “Debbie” Jeanne Rowe (Ex)
Michael Jackson was married twice. His first marriage was to Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley’s daughter, in 1994. The marriage wasn’t successful and they were divorced in August 1996. Most people saw the marriage as a publicity stunt which had been put into action to draw attention away from sexual harassment charges. The couple did not have any children together.
MJ’s second marriage was to Deborah “Debbie” Jeanne Rowe, who had been his long time friend. She worked as a dermatology nurse. Debbie found out she was pregnant with his child in November, 1996 and they got married a month later in Sydney.
Children of MJ and Debbie Rowe
1) Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr.
His first son, popularly known as ‘Prince’ was born on 13 February 1997.
2) Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson
MJ’s only daughter was born on 3 April 1998 – barely a year later.
MJ’s third child – Prince Michael Jackson II (Blanket)
The boy’s mother’s identity is unknown. ‘Blanket’ is actually the result of artificial insemination.
MJ’s Net Worth
After his death in 2009, MJ’s net worth was valued at $7 million but the IRS presently claims that MJ is still worth about $1.125 billion.