He passed on June 25th, 2009.
Photo: AFP
This Tuesday, June 25th, marks the 15th anniversary of the unexpected death of Michael Jackson at the age of 50.
While preparing for a long series of concert dates in London, he died in his bed at home in Holmby Hills, California, the result of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol administered by his physician to help him sleep.
The death was ruled a homicide and Dr. Conrad Murray was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter for it.
Jackson was born on August 20th, 1958 in Gary, Indiana, the fifth of six brothers.
- He first rose to fame in the family group The Jackson 5. Their first four singles -- "I Want You Back," "A-B-C," "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" -- all reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100.
- His solo debut, 1979's Off the Wall, featured the hits "Rock With You" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."
- But 1982's Thriller made him a superstar, with such classics as the iconic title track, "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."
- Jackson spearheaded the star-studded "We Are the World" charity single for famine relief in 1985.
- Although later albums such as 1987's Bad and 2001's Invincible did well, Michael never repeated the success of Thriller.
- Jackson's behavior and appearance became more and more bizarre throughout the years. He went through two marriages -- with Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe -- underwent numerous plastic surgeries, appeared to have bleached his skin (though he said it was a result of a genetic disorder) and was tried and acquitted of child molestation.
- While preparing for his comeback concert series This Is It, Jackson died of cardiac arrest on June 25th, 2009 after collapsing at home in Los Angeles. His death was ruled a homicide, and his personal physician was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering the anesthetic propofol and then trying to cover it up.
- Michael's death triggered a global outpouring of grief and a live broadcast of his public memorial service was viewed around the world.
- After his death, Jackson became the best-selling albums artist of 2009. He sold over 8.2 million albums in the United States, and a total of 35 million albums worldwide, in the 12 months that followed his death.
Fast Facts About Michael Jackson:
- Thriller has been certified 34-times platinum and is the best-selling album in history.
- Thriller spent 37 straight weeks at number-one.
- Jackson won a total of 19 Grammy Awards, including a record eight in 1984.
- He holds 14 Guinness World Records.
- He had nine platinum singles and 16 gold singles in the U.S.
- 13 number-one singles in the U.S.
- 28 Top 10 hits in the U.S.
- He has three albums in the Grammy Hall of Fame -- I Want You Back, Thriller and Off the Wall.
- "Billie Jean" was the first video by a black artist to be shown regularly on MTV.
- He sold more than 70 million albums in the U.S. and more than 750 million records worldwide.