Born in Gary Indiana, 1958 Michael Jackson was the eighth child in the Jackson Family. Michael got his start in the music industry as a member of the Jackson Five, a boy group made up of his older brothers. Their songs like “ABC” and “I want you back” catapulted The group into mainstream fame. 

 

Eventually, Jackson’s vocal and dance talent secured him a solo career with Motown Records in 1971. For four decades, Jackson’s music career broke records and revolutionized the music industry.

 

Overall, Michael Jackson has sold over 500 million records sold worldwide and 89 albums across the US. Additionally, his 1982 album Thriller is credited to be the best selling music album of all time. Jackson has also been awarded 

 a total of 834 awards, and since he is considered to be one of the greatest entertainers of all time, has garnered the title “King of Pop.”

 

However it wasn’t just his music that gained him an enormous amount of fame. Michael was beloved for his philanthropy, donated an estimated over $500 million to charity over during his life to organizations like Make A Wish and the United Negro College Fund.