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Michael Joseph Jacksonwas born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958. He was Katherine and Joseph Jackson's eighth of ten children. A superstar before his teens, Jackson's fame was global, the love shown to him by fans unparalleled.

For all his achievements, however, his life was marred by controversy, eccentric behavior, financial problems and legal woes -- most infamously a lurid and embarrassing trial for child molestation that ended in an acquittal.

He died on June 25th, 2009 at the age of 50 in Los Angeles rehearsing for a long run of shows in London to be called This Is It ...

Timeline

1958: Born in Gary, Indiana
1968: The Jackson 5 signs to Motown Records

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1971: Made his solo debut
1975: Left Motown for Epic Records
1982: Released Thriller
1983: Performed on Motown 25 and introduced the world to the moonwalk

1988: Started building the Neverland Ranch
1989: Declared himself the "King of Pop"
1993: Was first accused of sexual abuse of children
1994: Married Lisa Marie Presley
1996: Married Debbie Rowe

1997: Rowe has his first child, Michael Joseph Jackson Junior (Prince)
1998: Rowe has his second child, a girl named Paris
1999: Divorced Rowe
2002: Has third child, Blanket Jackson by an unnamed mother
2005: Acquitted of sexual abuse charges
2009: Announced plans for the This Is It concert series at the O2 Arena in London
2009: Died in Los Angeles at the age of 50

LISTEN: Montage of hit singles from Michael Jackson's career ...

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