Michael Jackson was one of the most commercially successful entertainers in history. The star shock the whole world on June 25, 2009, when he died, leaving fans devasted. The pop sensation dies at the age of 50 at his home in Los Angeles, California, after suffering from cardiac arrest caused by a fatal combination of drugs given to him by his personal doctor. However, the iconic pop artist will always be a legend. The king of pop not only fascinates music enthusiasts all around the world, but he also came as an inspiration to future performers.
Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958. The American singer, songwriter, and dancer enjoyed a global presence with his trademark red zippered jacket and sequin gloves. Jackson was also the recipient of 13 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Legend, six Brit Awards, and a Golden Globe Award, and holds 39 Guinness World Records to his name. However, on Michael Jackson’s death anniversary, here are five lesser-known facts about the legend.
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Michael Jackson Childhood
Michael Jackson’s childhood was not so great. The singer lost his childhood to fame and success. His father was also a strict disciplinarian, who would often beat Michael for his mistakes. Michael had once said that he was so terrified of his father that “there were times when he’d come to see me and I would start to be sick”.
However, it was also previously reported that Michael Jackson’s father, Joe, also taunted him about his adolescent skin problems, which later manifested as his cosmetic surgery fixation. To relive his lost childhood, Michael Jackson converted his 2,700-acre California farm Neverland into a Peter-Pan-inspired fantasyland with an amusement park, exotic animals and a Disney-themed train station, as per reported by Guardian.
Created History
Black artists were rarely seen in the limelight in the 1970s and 1980s. Moreover, television, at that time, was very little open to even the most popular black artists of the time. However, Jackson was the first black artist to broadcast on MTV. When Michael Jackson’s album Thriller came out, he was at the origin of a small revolution. Michael Jackson’s song Billie Jean earned the mark of being the first song by a black artist to be aired on MTV on December 2, 1983, at a world premiere.
The Tragic Incident That Changed Michael Jackson’s life
In 1984, while shooting a commercial for Pepsi, Michael suffered a severe accident. A mechanism during the fireworks display went wrong and one of the fireworks hit Michael’s head. He suffered second and third-degree burns on his scalp. However, he never gives up and chooses to tattoo his hairline and wear a wig.
Elizabeth Taylor Once Gifted Michael Jackson An elephant
Actress Elizabeth Taylor and singer Michael Jackson were close friends. However, Taylor gifted Jackson a 5,000-pound elephant after the singer allowed her to host her wedding on his Neverland Ranch in California. The elephant was named Gypsy and was a testimony to the friends’ love for animals.
Michael Jackson’s Iconic Gloves And Jacket
Michael Jackson was not only the King of pop, but he was also a fashion icon. However, his most famous white glove was put up for auction after his death. With an opening bid of $10,000, its value leapt immediately to $120,000 before peaking at $350,000. additionally, a black jacket he wore during a 1989 world tour fetched $225,000 more than 20 times its estimate, according to Reuters.
