Michael Jackson dead: remembering a legend

Jun 25, 2009 4:50 PM by Caroline Goddard

Posted in Entertainment / Celebrity Gossip / Celebrity Obituaries

Michael Jackson Dies

Michael Jackson dies after suffering a heart attack in his California home. Jackson's death is a shock as he was only 50.

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First wife Lisa Marie Presley helped Jackson kick his drug habit after the first molestation allegations came to light. She said, "I believed he didn't do anything wrong and that he was wrongly accused and yes I started falling for him. I wanted to save him. I felt that I could do it." Presley encouraged Jackson to settle out of court and go to rehab. He did both, and afterwards the couple married in secret, not telling the press for two months. They divorced amicably two years later.

Michael Jackson dies at the age of 50

Jackson family

A second marriage to nurse Deborah Jean Rowe resulted in two children, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. Rowe gave Jackson full rights to the children upon the couple's divorce in 1999. A third child, Prince Michael Jackson II, was born in 2002 by an undisclosed mother.

Hard times recently befell Jackson, who was in deep debt and had to sell multiple assets, including his beloved Neverland Ranch. The singer just announced a series of ten comeback shows in London beginning in July, selling 75,000 tickets in four hours. The shows were later increased to 50, then postponed until 2010, leading to rumors of health problems -- problems denied by promoters.

Michael Jackson death: a lasting legacy

No matter what his public image may have been at the time of his death, Michael Jackson's musical legacy cannot be disputed. He is the fourth top selling music artist of all time, coming in behind The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby -- not including his Jackson 5 sales. He released ten albums, enjoyed 13 number one hits as a solo artist, won 22 American Music Awards, 40 Billboard Awards and 19 Grammys, and holds 13 Guinness World Records and 56 certifications and awards through the RIAA. Jackson's albums Thriller and Off the Wall were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008, and Thriller is certified as the best selling album of all time by Guinness.

In addition to his professional achievements, Jackson supported 39 charities. Despite rumors of pedophilia, Jackson -- who attributed his love of all this childlike to not being allowed to enjoy a childhood of his own -- supported multiple children's charities alongside good friend Elizabeth Taylor.

Jackson is also credited with crossing the color barrier and improving race relations during turbulent times.

"Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color," the Rev Al Sharpton says. "To say an 'icon' would only give these young people in Harlem a fraction of what he was. He was a historic figure that people will measure music and the industry by."

An autopsy is expected later this week.

Photo tribute to Michael Jackson:

See a photo tribute to Michael Jackson's death!

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Comments on "Michael Jackson dead: remembering a legend"

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww michael jackson i miss him and love him hehehehehehehe ow but why he have to deye

To all of his fans including me, we must say rest in peace. Now it is 2010 we will never forget the year of 2009. It will always be remembered as the year (Michael Jackson THE KING OF POP DIED) not the best year but was a fun year until June 25, 2009 NEVER FORGET. He love us and will give and do anything to comeback to us. I cry every time i get a chance to but it won't hurt to let it off your chest. So long Michael we nor i will forget you R.I.P LOVE YA!!!!!!!!!

I had really love Micheal jackson ....may his soul rest in peace.His songs has great meaning to who know to their heart this world need more plople like him.He was full of passion and lov to give.

we lost an angel

michael jackson will always be the king of pop music god bless his family and may god give them strength and michaels children also and i also have something to say to all the news gossip newspapers STOP MOCKING MICHAEL YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES I WOULDN'T BLAME HIS FAMILY IF THEY SUED YOU WHICH YOU DESERVE TO BE SUED JUST LEAVE THE JACKSON FAMILY ALONE OR THEY WILL TAKE ACTION AGAINST YOU.

the world has lost the greatest entertainer of all time, you will always be in my heart michael. rip

I will miss Micheal. I loved Micheal. After 40 years I understood it would be no marriage. But, I still love him and I will never forget his face. I want to hear him sing again over and over. My best friend is dead. I never met him but I know in my heart he heard my cries. His songs were my songs. The words of the songs were in my heart. I love people and I want everyone to have a good life. I want this world to make a change. I got married last year and my husband is white. Many people do not like it due to our skin colors. But, it okay one day we will make it right by letting people know that it not about skin color but it is your heart that really counts. Micheal one day history will change this old world

It seems like my brother is gone I will really miss him I can not stop thinking about him, And I pray his children he loved so much be protected and be with some one that can love them as much as he did, He was put down for a lot of things but he will be lifted up in Heaven we loved you Micheal but God loved you more. RIP

When I first heard the news of Micheal Jackson I was very sad and I cried and cried for days, but I came to realize God took Michael for a reason. People joked and lied on him so much and God said 'Its time for you to come to "A better place."" Micheal made so many songs about things that really happened to him and now I understand. Heal the World is a VERY true song, and I wish everyone in the world would help out to make it a better place. Micheal I love you very much and I just want you to know I feel like you've made it a better place with your music. R.I.P

My sister called my cell, & said Michael Jackson died. I said no, Farrah. She told me again, & I just dropped. I still cannot swollow this. When I got home my husband asked me why I was crying. I grew up with him, like many other people. I will pray for his family & Michael Rest in Peace.God wanted you to go home.You will live forever in our hearts!

Michael is the 1st top selling music artist of all time (not 4th). He sold more copies of "Thriller" than any other album in the WORLD beating out Elvis & the Beatles [though caucasoid media will never admit it because they can't digest it being they think they're superior but we all know the truth]. R.I.P. MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON; YOUR STAR WILL SHINE FOR ETERNITY!

Micheal you re an Icon ..we love you but Gods love you most we wish we all live forever...we shall always remember you king of pop.

i grow up with michael jackson. i remember i used to dance like micheal when i was 10 yrs old. i was in a dance contest and i won. you will be truely miss michael i send my heart to you, your kids and the jackson's family.

I'm so sorry hear about this death, but i hope his soul is now rest in peace with the Lord, he's an awsome guy i grow up watch his clips and songs as the king of Pop and his one of our Idol

My heart is aching. I grew up watching Michael's video's and listening to his music. Michael Jackson is a true inspiration and global icon that will forever be in our hearts. You're moonwalking in heaven and all your loving fans will see you again.

I am saddened over the death of Michael Jackson. He was and will always be a music genious and icon to all who knew his music. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family. Janet braveness will always be remembered as she walked out on the stage at the BET Awards and thanked the crowd for their profound love for her brother. Rest well Michael. You have done what you needed to do. Now it is your time! R.I.P.

I SO LOVED MICHAEL JACKSON AND CANNOT BELIEVE HE IS GONE EITHER. CERTAINLY AN EVER SO TALENTED,SPECIAL AND CREATIVE HUMAN BEING.

"criminal behavior off stage"???? What was Michael Jackson "criminally" convicted of?

I am still so stunned that Michael Jackson is dead. This is just so sad to think of our King of Pop gone forever.

This is terrible. I can't believe he is dead. I was a great fan since I was 14 years old. My heart goes out to his children. RIP.