Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson ([ˈmaɪkəl ˈdʒæksən]), born on 29 August 1958 in Gary, Indiana, and died on 25 June 2009 in Los Angeles, California, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer-choreographer and actor. A global celebrity, the most awarded artist in music history, he is a leading figure in the history of the entertainment industry and one of the major international cultural icons of the 20th century.

The eighth of ten children (one of whom, Marlon's twin, died at birth), he began singing with his brothers at the age of six and started a professional career at eleven as a member 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 rank 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 music videos, ambitious and innovative, were made like short films, notably for the tracks Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, Bad and Smooth Criminal. He popularised numerous dance moves, including the moonwalk, which became his signature. Having fused the genres of soul, funk, pop and rock, his vocal and musical style continues to influence many hip-hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.

Nicknamed "The King of Pop", Michael Jackson broke several records in the recording industry. With more than 500 million records sold worldwide, he ranks among the three best-selling recording 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 took part in numerous charitable causes, notably the USA for Africa project and the Heal The World Foundation. Throughout his career, he contributed to the fight against famine, cruelty to animals and child abuse. However, his public image was tarnished by certain aspects of his private life, notably his repeated recourse to plastic surgery, his lifestyle deemed eccentric, and, more seriously, by two accusations of sexual abuse of a minor, in 1993 and 2003, which nonetheless resulted in his acquittal during his lifetime (further allegations of sexual abuse were made in 2019, then in 2026). His two marriages and his three children have also been the subject of controversy.

While preparing the This Is It concert series, which was to take place in London, Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 from a drug overdose. His death triggered reactions and a worldwide tribute, causing an unprecedented surge in internet traffic and a rise in his album sales. Jackson's televised memorial service, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, was watched by more than 2.5 billion people. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, was subsequently found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.