Michael Jackson, age 50, collapsed in his Los Angeles rental mansion on June 25, 2009 and unexpectedly passed away at approximately 2:25p.m. local time. When the paramedics arrived, Jackson was reportedly not breathing and unresponsive. A 911 call was placed at 12:22p.m. that afternoon, which informed police that Jackson was in need of medical assistance. Paramedics were unable to resuscitate the Motown musical genius in route and at the hospital. Fans and followers were left bewildered as they gathered in front of Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center to morn the loss of the legend. Despite multiple rumors and claims concerning prescription drug use, the official autopsy from the coroner stated that Jackson suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.

Born August 29, 1958, Jackson was the seventh child of nine children. Jackson openly spoke about physical and emotional abuse from his father, Joe Jackson, as a child. However, the overly strict male figure was responsible for putting together one of the most famous Motown family groups in history with the Jackson 5. Jackson joined his four brothers in 1964. The group set a musical record when their first four singles peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Jackson eventually emerged as the lead song writer and singer of the Jackson 5, before later breaking away from his brothers to pursue a solo carrier. With initial commercial success as a solo artist during the seventies, fans had yet to discover Jackson’s full potential. That point came in 1982 when Jackson, then with the record label Epic, released his mega album “Thriller”. The album set countless records including remaining in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. Also, seven concurrent singles from the album hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 10.

“Thriller” earned Jackson five Grammy Awards, which made it the most successful selling album of all time. Jackson also revolutionized the music video business with the most expensive, short-film video also titled “Thriller.” With the video, Jackson became the first African American artist to appear on MTV. Not only did the album and video catapult Jackson into an American popular-culture figurehead, but it also forever changed the direction of music in general. Virtually every pop, rock, and soul artist from Prince to Madonna was influenced by Jackson’s musical talent.

Jackson continued to produce innovative musical pieces including the release of the album “Bad” in 1987, which included seven hit singles, five of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Jackson’s never seen before success made him a likely target for rumors and accusations by media tabloid outlets and critics. Having undergone multiple plastic surgeries, Jackson was said to have slept in a hyperbaric chamber, which Jackson adamantly denied. The rumors of odd behavior became more frequent when it was written that he bought the bones of the Elephant Man, that he had been bleaching his skin, and that he had excessive weight-loss issues. Jackson’s intriguing personality and random spending habits fueled the fire with the purchase of his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, and the construction of his Neverland Ranch ($17 million) on his property near Santa Ynez, California in 1988.

Jackson’s public image took a major hit in 1993 when he was accused of sexually abusing a 13 year-old boy. The case was shrouded in controversy concerning the motives of the accusers, which made it difficult to connect Jackson to any misconduct. “I am not guilty of these allegations,” said Jackson. “But if I am guilty of anything, it is of giving all that I have to give to help children all over the world. It is of loving children of all ages and races. It is of gaining sheer joy from seeing children with their innocent and smiling faces. It is of enjoying through them the childhood that I missed myself.”

The case was settled out of court and Jackson was never charged. The accusations however, forever tarnished Jackson’s public image. Jackson attempted to repair his appearance in the public eye with his short 1994 marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley. He also released the album “HIStory”, which again set multiple records. Jackson also purchased the Beatles catalog – an asset worth $500 million.

In the late 90’s, Jackson was listed in the book Guinness World Records for his notable affiliation to 39 charities; more than any other entertainer in history. Graciously giving to charities throughout his career was something that Jackson was adamant about. Jackson released his album “Invincible” in 2001; however the artist had a highly publicized dispute with his recording label, Sony. The dispute arguably caused a decrease in sales for the album with reports of a lack of promotion and a tour. Although the record was not as commercially successful as his previous releases, the album debuted on the top charts in 13 countries. The album was also certified as double-platinum in the U.S.

The American culture icon had three children as of 2002. Jackson did not release the name of the segregate mother of his third child, Prince Michael Jackson II (a.k.a. Blanket). While mostly staying out of the public eye, Jackson once again found himself in more trouble regarding inappropriate contact with a child in 2003. He was charged with seven counts of child sexual abuse and two (felony) counts of administering an intoxicating agent. Jackson denied the allegations, however he admitted to having sleepovers with children. The shocking admission was extremely detrimental to his public image, although he was acquitted on all counts.

Jackson announced his plan to perform 50 sold-out concerts in 2009 scheduled to take place in London, England. His untimely passing prevented the “King of Pop” from making his biggest comeback ever. Ironically, Jackson spent the last hours of his life in the place he felt most comfortable; the stage. “I hate to admit it, but I feel strange around everyday people,” he said on one occasion. “See, my whole life has been onstage, and the impression I get of people is applause, standing ovations and running after you. In a crowd, I'm afraid. Onstage, I feel safe. If I could, I would sleep on the stage. I'm serious.”

He reportedly conducted a stage rehearsal for the London shows just hours before fatally collapsing at his California rental mansion. Jackson’s monumental music career spanned across four decades. Despite his controversial lifestyle and complex life-story, Michael Joseph Jackson was undoubtedly the greatest entertainer of all time.

Jackson is survived by his children; his parents; and siblings Maureen, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, LaToya and Janet.