Remembering Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson -- the "King of Pop" -- was one of the biggest music superstars of all time, though in his later years a series of sexual abuse allegations tarnished his public image. He died June 25, 2009, at age 50, of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication after suffering from cardiac arrest. Conrad Murray, his personal physician, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death.
Jackson was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 2001 as a solo artist and in 1997 with his siblings in the Jackson 5.
Here, Michael Jackson announces his concert at the London O2 Arena on March 5, 2009.
Michael Jackson
The "King of Pop" had a chart-topping career as well as a host of personal scandals.
Jackson's "Thriller," which debuted in 1982, held the title of the best-selling album of all time until 2018, when it was overtaken by the Eagles' "Greatest Hits."
Michael Jackson
The Jackson 5, with youngest brother Michael Jackson on lead vocals, signed to Motown Records in 1968. Here they perform during the "Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" in Los Angeles, Calif., Sept. 15, 1972.
From left to right: Tito, Marlon, Michael, Jackie and Jermaine.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, age 13, poses in his home in Encino, Calif., in 1972. He earned his first No. 1 solo record that year with "Ben."
Michael Jackson
In this Oct. 4, 1977 file photo, Diana Ross, center, as Dorothy, Michael Jackson, right, as Scarecrow, and Nipsey Russell as Tinman perform during filming of the musical "The Wiz" in New York. Ross was one of Jackson's idols.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is seen backstage at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb., 28, 1984, as he poses with the awards he won in eight different categories. Seven were for the blockbuster album "Thriller."
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson stands with President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan on the South Lawn of the White House on May 14, 1984, prior to receiving an award from the president for his contribution to a drunk driving awareness program.
Michael Jackson
This is an aerial view of Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch in Santa Ynez Valley, Calif., which boasted a mansion, its own zoo, amusement park and Ferris wheel. In 2006, amidst rumors of the singer being in financial trouble, the main house of the ranch was closed. In 2008, the ranch's title was transferred to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, LLC.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is pictured inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in September 1986. True or not, the singer began making headlines for various eccentricities -- that he slept in the chamber, that his best friend was a chimp, that he was trying to buy the Elephant Man's bones -- around this time.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 31, 1993.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson and wife, Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson, open the 11th Annual MTV Video Music Awards at New York's Radio City Music Hall, Sept. 8, 1994. Their marriage ended in divorce after less than two years. A second marriage to Debbie Rowe produced two children before they divorced in 1999. Jackson had another child in 2002.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson greets Russian fans on Moscow's Red Square, Sept. 18, 1996.
Michael Jackson
Elizabeth Taylor arrives with Michael Jackson at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, Feb. 16, 1997. Taylor was one of the singer's closet friends and strongest supporters over the years.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson performs with Britney Spears during his "30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years" concert at New York's Madison Square Garden, Sept. 7, 2001. In 2002, Spears offered Jackson birthday wishes onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards and he mistakenly thought he was accepting a special "Artist of the Millennium" trophy, drawing barbs from the show's host and viewers.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson testifies in Santa Maria Superior Court, Nov. 13, 2002, in a trial in which he was accused of cancelling scheduled concert appearances, costing his promoter several million dollars. Jackson appeared weak and ghostly pale at many of his public appearances at the time.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson caused an international uproar when he displayed his baby, Prince Michael II, to fans by dangling him briefly from a fourth-floor balcony in Germany, Nov. 19, 2002.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson carries the jacket he wore when he received his Artist of the Century Award onstage at a charity event in Berlin, Nov. 20, 2002, where it was auctioned to help German street kids. German composer Ralf Siegel paid $16,000 for the jacket shown.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson holds a street sign that he was presented with by Gary, Indiana, Mayor Scott L. King, left, during a news conference June 11, 2003. Jackson returned to his hometown for the first time in nearly two decades and was also presented with a key to the city.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is taken into the Santa Barbara County Jail facility, Nov. 20, 2003, to be booked on charges reportedly involving the alleged molestation of a 12-year-old boy at Neverland Ranch. He was later acquitted of all charges. Similar allegations surfaced against Jackson in 1993, but they never led to criminal charges.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson leads the crowd, including CNN's Larry King, right, in singing "Happy Birthday" to Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, on the red carpet during the RainbowPUSH Coalition Los Angeles 10th annual awards dinner celebrating Jesse Jackson's 66th birthday, on Nov. 8, 2007.
Michael Jackson
Starting on July 15, 2009, Jackson was scheduled to return to live performing with a series of 50 concerts at London's O2 Arena. In this photo, Jackson is seen at a rehearsal on May 6, 2009. However, on June 25, 2009, paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's house in Los Angeles, where he was reportedly not breathing. He was pronounced dead at a hospital later that day.