• Michael Jackson first rose to fame as a child at just 8 years old with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy
• His sisters Rebbie, LaToya and Janet also all pursued solo singing careers, with Janet the most successful of the three
• Michel sadly passed away at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009 — but his legacy lives on through his family, including his talented siblings and three children

 was one of the most influential figures in pop music history. At just six-years-old, he burst onto the scene as a member of The Jackson Five, where he rose to stardom with hits like “ABC” and “I Want You Back.” He started a solo career in 1971 and skyrocketed into superstardom on his own with his 1982 bestselling album Thriller — which went on to become a timeless classic (along with his other music) all of which are the basis for the current . After Thriller, Michael scored many more hits on his own, but the foundation was laid alongside his brothers in The Jackson Five, and many of his other siblings went on to successful careers in their own rights.

Coming from the show-biz family, Michael had a strong bond with his siblings growing up, especially in the intensely busy musical group. “Well, you don’t get to do things that other children get to do, having friends and slumber parties and buddies. There were none of that for me. I didn’t have friends when I was little. My brothers were my friends,” he once said, via . While Michael died in 2009 at age 50 almost of all of his siblings are still alive to continue his legacy, as well as his children , who all speak of him often.

In her 2021 documentary series, Janet Jackson against sexual assault allegations — reigniting debate about the controversial cases. “My brother would never do something like that, but I’m still guilty by association — because that’s what they call it, right?” she said, adding that she could “never” see him commit that sort of crime. “I know my brother. He didn’t have that in him,” she also said.