Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer and businessman, whose unique contributions to popular music and dance, along with his highly publicized personal life, made him a central part of popular culture for four decades. One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his achievements included multiple Guinness World Records—including the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"—13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career, and the sale of over 750 million records worldwide.
The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his debut in 1968 as a member of The Jackson 5, beginning a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group, a career that saw him dubbed the "King of Pop." His 1982 album Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, with four of his other solo albums among the best-selling: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995).
In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in American popular culture. He was the first African American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV, with videos such as "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and Thriller—widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form—bringing fame to the relatively new channel. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made him an enduring staple on MTV well into the 1990s. Beyond his success on television, he popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, with his elaborate stage performances. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop, and contemporary R&B artists across several generations. Jackson also supported 39 charities: he donated and raised millions of dollars through his Heal the World Foundation, as well as by performing charity singles.
Aspects of his personal life, including his changing appearance and behavior, generated significant controversy. He had experienced health concerns since the early 1990s, along with conflicting reports regarding the state of his finances. Accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, his health and reputation were badly affected by the controversy, though no charges were brought because of a lack of evidence. He married twice and fathered three children, one of them using a surrogate mother, actions that triggered further speculation about his life. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted in connection with different child molestation allegations. He died on June 25, 2009, aged 50, after suffering cardiac arrest.
