Iconic singer Michael Jackson died June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest in Los Angeles. He was 50.
Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles. The self-anointed “King of Pop” was one of nine children from a famous musical family that includes superstar sister Janet; the family is from Gary, Ind. Jackson first gained fame with the pop group the Jackson 5.
Jackson’s death came as he prepared for a major comeback next month with 50 shows in London’s O2 Arena, according to CTV.ca.
Among his albums were Off the Wall, Bad, Dangerous and 1982’s Thriller. Thriller. Thriller, considered one of the top-selling albums of all time, was the first album to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, including “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.” The 13-time Grammy winner’s many other hits include “Man in the Mirror,” “Off the Wall” and “Smooth Criminal.” He also made a splash with various aspects related to his performing, including the “moonwalk” dance move and the habit of wearing one glove.
In recent years, he was in the news for his financial and legal troubles, including the auctioning of personal items and the battle over his Neverland ranch. In the mid-1990s, Jackson was accused of sexual abuse by a 13-year-old boy; he ultimately settled with the boy’s family for $22 million, according to USA Today. The following year, he was charged with nine felonies relating to the molestation of a 14-year-old; he was later acquitted of all charges.
Besides his family, which includes parents Joe and Katherine, Jackson is survived by three children—Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.