Who is Michael Jackson?
Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter and dancer known as the King of Pop. His 1982 album Thriller is the best-selling album of all time. He died in 2009.
Jackson was born in 1958 in Gary, Indiana. As a child, he became famous as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 with his brothers, singing hits like ABC and I Want You Back. As a solo artist, he released Off the Wall in 1979, followed by Thriller, Bad and Dangerous, which made him one of the most successful entertainers ever.
He was famous for his dancing, including the moonwalk, which he performed on television in 1983, and for groundbreaking music videos like Thriller, Billie Jean and Beat It. He broke racial barriers on MTV and won 13 Grammy Awards.
Later life
Jackson's later years were marked by legal troubles and controversy, including allegations of child abuse. He was acquitted in a 2005 trial. He died in June 2009 at age 50 while preparing for a series of comeback concerts in London. A biopic about his life, called Michael, was released in 2026.
Did You Know?
Jackson's single white sequined glove became one of the most recognizable fashion items in pop music history.