Biographies: Michael Jackson

Starting in 1993, with many scandals in the future, “...after he performed during the Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show, in which 91 million viewers had watched and appeared in the Oprah Winfrey Show”(Biographies: Michael Jackson), Michael Jackson’s legacy and reputation would soon start to break. In the years following, there were many rumors surrounding Michael Jackson and Neverland Ranch. The rumors: “...his light skin, a supposed purchase of the bones of the Elephant Man, and plastic surgery, a real scandal erupted in August when a 13-year-old boy accused Jackson of molesting him” (Biographies: Michael Jackson).

After the police got involved on the alleged molestation, Michael settled a civil lawsuit for $15 million with the boy. In 1994 Michael also lost his sponsorship with Pepsi. In May 1994, Michael married Lisa Marie Presley (Elvis Presley’s daughter). The married couple later divorced in 1996, after the divorce, within a year got married to longtime friend Debbie Rowe. Michael and Debbie had a son the following year, named Prince. A year later, had another child, named Paris. Michael and Debbie later divorced in 1999. Michael Jackson lived a low-key life the next couple years and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2002, he had another child, naming him Price II, with an unknown woman. By the end of the year, there was speculation of how well he was doing parenting his children. Later in 2002, Michael Jackson held out his youngest child over a balcony in Berlin to show fans; he ultimately he was alleged of child endangerment.

After that, in 2003 in an interview with Martin Bashir, fans and witnesses were shocked to discover that Michael slept with his children. In November of 2003, Michael was arrested for many counts of child molestation. Jackson was released on $3 million bonds. All of the charges against Michael were brought to him, and after a lengthy, 14-week trial he was found not guilty of all charges, including one of conspiracy to commit child abduction.

After all the scandals and controversies Michael Jackson died on June 25th, 2009, paramedics arrived at his house and found him in cardiac arrest. He was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead at the age of 50. The scandals didn’t stop when did died, for his death, the doctor who lived with him was investigated, “Dr. Conrad Murray, was charged with involuntary manslaughter; in which he pleaded not guilty. He was later found guilty and got four years in prison” (Michael Jackson dies of Drug Overdose, June 25, 2009).

In the years since his death, Michael Jackson has since stayed in the shadows of his accused child molestation. In a documentary film released in 2019 called “Leaving Neverland”, Michael Jackson’s accusers are telling of the brutal and devastating story of how Michael treated them. For many it’s hard to believe and also hard to watch. People's idea about Michael Jackson has soon changed, and his legacy has since been shot.

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