Michael Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children.
Here are some of his life's highlights:
• 1964: Five Jackson boys — Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael — first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.
• 1972: Jackson makes his first solo album.
• 1982: ”Thriller” released, becomes a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.
• 1983: Jackson unveils his signature “moonwalk” dance move while performing “Billie Jean” during an NBC special.
• 1994: Jackson marries Elvis Presley’s only child, Lisa Marie.
• 1996: Marriage to Lisa Marie ends in divorce and Jackson marries Debbie Rowe the same year, eventually having two children.
• 1999: Couple splits up, having never lived together.
• 2009: Jackson dies weeks ahead of his vaunted "This is it" comeback tour.
• Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.
• 1964: Five Jackson boys — Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael — first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.
• 1972: Jackson makes his first solo album.
• 1982: ”Thriller” released, becomes a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.
• 1983: Jackson unveils his signature “moonwalk” dance move while performing “Billie Jean” during an NBC special.
• 1994: Jackson marries Elvis Presley’s only child, Lisa Marie.
• 1996: Marriage to Lisa Marie ends in divorce and Jackson marries Debbie Rowe the same year, eventually having two children.
• 1999: Couple splits up, having never lived together.
• 2009: Jackson dies weeks ahead of his vaunted "This is it" comeback tour.
• Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.
