Michael Joseph Jackson known internationally as the ‘King of Pop’ died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009 as sensationally as he lived.
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics were called to Jackson’s home in Holmby Hills south of Los Angeles at 12.30pm and gave CPR before rushing him to the UCLA medical centre.
At a press conference later that day, Michael Jackson’s older brother Jermaine Jackson confirmed his brother died at 2.26 p.m. local time.
Fans and onlookers circled the UCLA Medical Centre others gathered outside his childhood home in Gary, Indiana and to the Neverland ranch in California.
Around the world people were shocked and many in disbelief when hearing and watching news reports of Michael Jackson’s death.
American actress and model Farah Fawcett had died earlier at 9.30 a.m. at the age of 62 losing her public battle against cancer.
As sad has her passing was the media focused primarily for weeks on Michael Jackson’s contribution to music, his life, controversial behaviour and speculation over what prompted him to live as a recluse in recent years.
The star had three children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II.
He is survived by his mother, Katherine, father, Joseph and eight siblings - including Janet, Randy, Jermaine and La Toya Jackson.
