Early Life and Education of Michael Jackson: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Michael Jackson. From birth to education, explore key events.
Michael Joseph Jackson, the "King of Pop," was a highly influential American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. His four-decade career broke racial barriers and made him a global icon. He popularized dance moves like the moonwalk, the robot, and the anti-gravity lean, significantly impacting visual performance in popular music. Guinness World Records recognizes him as the most successful entertainer of all time.
August 29, 1958: Michael Jackson's Birth
On August 29, 1958, Michael Joseph Jackson was born. He would later be known as the "King of Pop".
May 1971: Moved to Hayvenhurst Estate
In May 1971, the Jackson family moved into a large house at Hayvenhurst in Encino, California, marking a new chapter in their lives.
1971: Jackson met Choreographer David Winters
In 1971, Choreographer David Winters met Michael Jackson while choreographing the Diana Ross TV special Diana!, during which Winters noted that Jackson watched the musical West Side Story almost every week, his favorite film that he paid tribute to in later works.
1978: Underwent Rhinoplasty
In 1978, Michael Jackson, feeling unsatisfied with his nose, decided to have a rhinoplasty, marking the beginning of changes to his physical appearance.
1983: Vitiligo Observation
In 1983, Michael Jackson's dermatologist observed that he had vitiligo, a skin condition characterized by a loss of pigment in patches.
January 27, 1984: Pepsi Commercial Accident
On January 27, 1984, while filming a Pepsi commercial, pyrotechnics accidentally set Michael Jackson's hair on fire, causing second-degree burns to his scalp.
May 14, 1984: President Reagan Honors Jackson for Support of Charities
On May 14, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented Michael Jackson with an award recognizing his support for alcohol and drug abuse charities and his involvement with the Ad Council's Drunk Driving Prevention campaign. Jackson also allowed the campaign to use his song "Beat It".
1986: Vitiligo Diagnosis
In 1986, Michael Jackson was officially diagnosed with vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment.
1987: Disassociation from Jehovah's Witnesses
In 1987, it was reported that Michael Jackson had disassociated himself from the Jehovah's Witnesses.
March 1988: Purchase of Neverland Ranch
In March 1988, Michael Jackson purchased 2,700 acres of land near Santa Ynez, California, to build Neverland Ranch.
1988: Fisk University Honored Jackson with Honorary Doctorate
In 1988, Fisk University honored Michael Jackson with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
1988: Autobiography Release
In his 1988 autobiography, Michael Jackson said he had two rhinoplasty surgeries and a cleft chin surgery.
1992: Jackson Established Heal the World Foundation
In 1992, Michael Jackson established the Heal the World Foundation and donated millions from his Dangerous World Tour revenues.
1992: Jackson Invested as Titular King of Sanwi
In 1992, Michael Jackson was invested as a titular king of Sanwi, a traditional kingdom in the Ivory Coast.
February 10, 1993: Oprah Winfrey Interview
On February 10, 1993, Michael Jackson gave a 90-minute interview with Oprah Winfrey, discussing his childhood abuse, loneliness, and denying rumors. The interview became the most-watched television interview in United States history to date, with more than 90 million viewers.
November 12, 1993: Cancellation of Dangerous World Tour
On November 12, 1993, Michael Jackson canceled the remainder of the Dangerous World Tour due to health problems, stress from the allegations, and painkiller addiction.
1993: Michael Jackson Grabs His Crotch on Stage
In a 1993 interview, Michael Jackson explained to Winfrey that his crotch-grabbing gestures were spontaneous reactions compelled by the music, particularly during the "Bad" video performances.
1993: Surgery Claims
In a 1993 interview, Michael Jackson stated that he had only had two rhinoplasty surgeries and a cleft chin surgery.
1993: Proposal to Lisa Marie Presley
In late 1993, Michael Jackson proposed to Lisa Marie Presley over the phone.
May 1994: Marriage to Lisa Marie Presley
In May 1994, Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in La Vega, Dominican Republic.
December 1995: Separation from Lisa Marie Presley
In December 1995, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley separated.
February 13, 1997: Birth of Michael Joseph Jackson Jr.
Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., commonly known as Prince, was born on February 13, 1997.
April 3, 1998: Birth of Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson
Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson was born on April 3, 1998.
September 2001: 30th Anniversary Concerts
In September 2001, two concerts were held at Madison Square Garden to celebrate Michael Jackson's 30th anniversary as a solo artist, featuring a reunion performance with his brothers.
October 21, 2001: United We Stand Benefit Concert
On October 21, 2001, Michael Jackson helped organize and performed at the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert in Washington, D.C., following the September 11 attacks.
May 2002: Filming of "Living with Michael Jackson" Begins
Starting in May 2002, a documentary film crew led by Martin Bashir began following Michael Jackson, which would later result in the controversial documentary "Living with Michael Jackson."
June 2005: Move to Bahrain
In June 2005, after the trial, Michael Jackson moved to Bahrain as a guest of Sheikh Abdullah.
April 2006: ATV Catalog Stake as Collateral
In April 2006, Michael Jackson agreed to use a piece of his ATV catalog stake as collateral against his loans from Bank of America.
2006: Move to Ireland and Studio Work
In mid-2006, Michael Jackson moved to Grouse Lodge in Ireland to work on a new album with producers will.i.am and Rodney Jenkins.
2009: Auction Cancellation
In 2009, Michael Jackson arranged to sell a large collection of memorabilia but later canceled the auction in April.
October 2025: Scheduled Release of Biographical Film "Michael"
A biographical film based on Michael Jackson's life, "Michael", directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, is scheduled for release in October 2025.
