Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson ([ˈmaɪkəl ˈdʒæksən]), born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, and died on June 25, 2009, in Los Angeles, California, was an American singer-songwriter, dancer-choreographer, and actor. A global celebrity and the most awarded artist in music history, he is a principal figure in the history of the entertainment industry and one of the major international cultural icons of the twentieth century.

The eighth of a family of ten children (one of whom died at birth: the twin of Marlon), he sang with his brothers from the age of six and began a professional career at eleven as part of the Jackson Five, a group formed with his older brothers. While remaining a member of the group (until 1984), he began a solo career in 1971. Five of his solo albums released during his lifetime are among the best-selling albums in the world: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995).

In the 1980s, he became a major figure in pop music. His ambitious and innovative music videos, directed like short films, notably for the tracks Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, Bad, and Smooth Criminal, popularized numerous dance moves, including the moonwalk, which became his signature. Having merged the genres of soul, funk, pop, and rock music, his vocal and musical style continues to influence many contemporary hip-hop, pop, and R&B artists.

Nicknamed "The King of Pop," Michael Jackson set several records in the music industry. With over 500 million records sold worldwide, he ranks among the three best-selling music artists of all time. With estimated sales of 70 million copies, Thriller remains the best-selling album in music history and has been certified 34 times platinum in the United States.

He also participated in several charitable works, notably with the USA for Africa project and the Heal The World Foundation. Throughout his career, he contributed to the fight against hunger, animal cruelty, and child abuse. However, his public image was tarnished by certain aspects of his private life, including his multiple recourse to cosmetic surgery, his lifestyle deemed eccentric, and more so by two complaints of sexual assault on minors, in 1993 and 2003, resulting in his acquittal during his lifetime (accusations of sexual violence were brought in 2019 and then in 2026). His two marriages and three children were also controversial.

While preparing the series of concerts This Is It, which were to be held in London, Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 from a drug overdose. His death triggered reactions and tributes worldwide, creating an unprecedented surge in Internet traffic and an increase in his album sales. Jackson's televised commemorative ceremony, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, was watched by over 2.5 billion people. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.