(Video) 1 MINUTE AGO: Michael Jackson Spotted Alive, At 65 Years Old?! This Is Cr@zy!

The world seemed to stand still as the news broke on the evening of June 25, 2009: superstar Michael Jackson had died at the age of 51. He left behind a complicated legacy: an endless string of hits and a series of high-profile lawsuits and accusations.

Michael Jackson left behind three young children who lived in and out of the spotlight as they followed their famous father on tours around the world.

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

On the 14th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death, let’s look back at his life through photos.

Michael Jackson’s Early Years

Born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana (USA), the son of Joe and Katherine Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson – the seventh child in a family of nine children – showed early talent for singing, quickly becoming known as the little boy.

During his days working with the Jackson 5, Rolling Stone magazine praised the young singer as a prodigy with “great musical talent”.

Michael Jackson was the seventh child in a family of nine children.

Michael Jackson and siblings

“Michael was a sweet boy,” Jermaine told People in 1984 about his younger brother, who joined siblings Tito, Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon in the Jackson 5 at age 6.

Jackson and Brothers

Soon Michael became the leader of a hugely successful group with hits such as I Want You Back , ABC , The Love You Save and I’ll Be There .

Family life

Despite Michael’s ever-present smile in photographs (like the one below, taken around 1970), Jackson’s family life was anything but happy. Jackson spoke out about the childhood abuse he suffered at the hands of his father in a lengthy 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey.

In the 2003 documentary Living with Michael Jackson , the singer told interviewer Martin Bashir that during Jackson 5 rehearsals, Father Joe “sat in a chair and he had a belt in his hand. If you didn’t do it right, he would rip you apart.”

Michael Jackson and his sister Janet

He and his sister Janet (pictured in 1972) were very close. In 2001, the two collaborated on the song and music video Scream , which earned them a Grammy nomination.

Michael and his sister Janet

“Everyone saw he was different. There was no doubt about it,” Janet said in 2007. “He was my brother. I loved him no matter what.”

Michael Jackson and The Jacksons

After leaving Motown Records in 1975, Jackson and his brothers changed their name from the Jackson 5 to The Jacksons, releasing six albums between 1976 and 1984.

The Jacksons

At the time, Michael was the group’s main songwriter and this period produced hits such as Can You Feel It. At the same time, the singer also distinguished himself, pursuing solo projects such as starring in the film The Wiz  (1978) and the popular solo album Off the Wall. 

Collaboration with Diana Ross

Teaming up with longtime friend Diana Ross, Jackson celebrated the premiere of  The Wiz on October 24, 1978.

Diana Ross’s side

While they maintained a professional relationship—Jackson later wrote and produced Ross’s 1982 single Muscles —the two developed a close friendship over the years.

Michael Jackson’s “Moonwalk”

It was the moment kids everywhere were trying to step backward like Michael Jackson in tights and loafers, debuting the smooth “Moonwalk,” one of the singer’s most iconic dance moves.

The famous “Moonwalk” dance

Along  with “Moonwalk”, Michael Jackson performed his hit ” Billie Jean” to a roaring crowd. He later performed it again at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.

Grammy Award Winner

Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones won a record eight Grammys including Album of the Year for Thriller and Record of the Year for Beat It at the 1984 ceremony.

Won multiple Grammy awards

Michael Jackson at the White House

“Well, isn’t this a horror movie?” President Ronald Reagan joked while presenting Michael Jackson with the Public Safety Citation Award in 1984.

Meeting President Reagan and his wife in 1984

Jackson allowed his hit single Beat It to be used in a campaign against teenage drunk driving. “I’m very, very honored,” Jackson said modestly. “Thank you very much, Mr. President and Mrs. Reagan.”

Star on the Walk of Fame

Although he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame (the Jackson 5 received their group star in 1979), the singer received his solo star in 1984, making him one of the few artists to have two stars.

The singer received solo stardom in 1984.

Diana Ross also has two stars: one as a solo artist, one with The Supremes.

We Are The World by Michael Jackson

In 1985, Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the charity single We Are the World . The song was performed by USA for Africa, a supergroup that included Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross and, of course, Richie and Jackson.

Michael and Lionel Richie

Proceeds go to America for Africa and target famine relief in Ethiopia.

Married to Lisa Marie Presley

Michael Jackson shocked the world when he married Lisa Marie Presley in the Dominican Republic in 1994.

Michael Jackson shocked the world when he married Lisa Marie Presley

“I love Michael very much, I dedicate my life to being his wife,” the bride said in a statement at the time. “I understand and support him. We both look forward to building a family.”

A friend of Jackson’s told People : ”Michael said he never knew whether a girl would like him for himself or for his money. She wasn’t after him for his money.”

In 1996, Lisa Marie filed for divorce from Jackson.

Change appearance

Jackson’s face changed dramatically as his skin became lighter, his nose narrower and his chin more pointed, sparking stories of plastic surgery and skin bleaching addiction.

Michael Jackson’s appearance changed dramatically

Jackson admitted to having two nose jobs and a cleft chin, telling Winfrey: “I’ve never had my cheekbones done, I’ve never had my eyes done, I’ve never had my lips done.” As for his skin discoloration, Jackson blamed vitiligo, “a skin disorder that destroys the skin’s pigment. I have to even out my skin tone,” he said. 

Michael Jackson’s Children

Jackson married dermatologist assistant Debbie Rowe, a longtime friend who treated the singer for vitiligo. The couple welcomed two children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (aka Prince) and Paris. 

Michael has 3 children

When the marriage ended in 1999, Rowe gave full custody of the children to his ex. Three years later, Jackson had another child, Prince Michael Jackson II (aka Blanket), through artificial insemination, but he never revealed the identity of the surrogate mother. 

Jackson was protective of all his children, often covering their faces when they went out. 

Michael Jackson in Court 

During his 2005 child molestation trial, Jackson had trouble getting to court on time. On March 10, 2005, Judge Rodney S. Melville threatened to issue an arrest warrant if the pop star did not appear immediately. 

Michael Jackson appears in court

Defense attorneys claimed Jackson had been hospitalized for back pain, but he finally arrived at court minutes after the judge made good on his threat wearing sneakers, pajama pants, a white undershirt and a dark blue jacket. 

Retreat from the limelight

After being acquitted of child molestation charges, Jackson and his children took an extended trip to Bahrain, beginning a virtual retreat from the public eye. 

Michael withdrew from the limelight at the end of his life.

In the Persian Gulf country, Jackson was said to be an honored guest of the king’s son. When he returned to the US, he rarely appeared in public. Here, the singer walked out to the Ed Hardy and Christian Audigier store with his children, always wearing masks. 

The Last Days 

Despite questions about his health, as Jackson prepared for his comeback tour in 2009, he suddenly died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 51 due to cardiac arrest at home. 

Jackson was preparing for a comeback tour in 2009 when he suddenly died.

In 2011, his personal physician, Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the singer’s death. During the six-week trial, prosecutors portrayed Murray as a reckless doctor who treated Michael Jackson’s insomnia with nightly drops of propofol, a potentially fatal anesthetic.       

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