Michael Jackson fans around the world quietly celebrated the 12th death anniversary of the King of Pop on June 25. Fans mostly shared their good wishes for the biggest pop star in history on social media due to the ongoing pandemic. In some countries, his name was trending on several social media platforms that day. Some fans even visited his birthplace in Indiana to show their respects.
But no official formalities were made marking his 12th death anniversary in Los Angeles at his grave. Jackson's legacy has been under scrutiny since the release of the 2019 documentary titled ‘Leaving Neverland’ about alleged child sex abuse that has been met with outrage by the singer's family and fans. Major US television and radio channels have stopped playing MJ tracks after the release of the HBO original documentary.
Jackson, a child TV star turned King of Pop, set the world alight with his infectious songs and music videos. But his musical genius was overshadowed at times by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals.
Singer, dancer, songwriter, and one of the biggest global entertainment icons, Jackson died of cardiac arrest, age 50, on June 25, 2009, at his rented mansion in Los Angeles, as he was rehearsing for a series of London concerts aimed at reviving a career shattered by strange events as an adult and acquittal on charges of molestation.
Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician at the time of his 2009 death, was sentenced to four years for involuntary manslaughter by a Los Angeles court in 2011 over the singer's death.
He is survived by three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II. The youngest was dangled by his father over the railing of a hotel balcony during his childhood, which drew widespread criticism back then.
Born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, Michael Joseph Jackson is remembered for tracks like 'Beat It,' 'Billie Jean,' 'Smooth Criminal,' among others. His album 'Thriller' remains by far the best-selling album of all time with almost 50 million sales. The musician received a total of 13 Grammy awards in his career.
'Billie Jean' recently reached the billion view club on Youtube marking his 12th death anniversary.