Music world mourns as Michael Jackson dies
Michael Jackson has died
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By James Christie. |  |
Friday, 26, Jun 2009 05:48
Pop star Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50 of a suspected heart attack.
The singer was rushed to hospital in Los Angeles at around midday local time (20:00 BST) on Thursday after being discovered at his Bel-Air home not breathing.
Despite performing CPR on the star at the property and on the way to the hospital, paramedics were unable to revive him and Jackson was later pronounced dead.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside the UCLA Medical Centre, where Jackson was taken desperate to hear any news.
Click here to read tributes to Michael Jackson
The LA coroner's office eventually confirmed his death and his brother Jermaine Jackson made a public statement that the doctors had tried in vain to resuscitate him for more than an hour.
"The family request that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time," he said.
"And Allah be with you Michael always. I love you."
Jackson had been due to start a sold-out run of 50 concerts at the O2 in London next month and some reports suggest he had been placed under severe physical pressure in preparing for the shows.
A post-mortem is expected later today to confirm his cause of death.
The 'king of pop' shot to fame in the 1960s with the Jackson Five, a pop band formed with his brothers, before going on to launch arguably the greatest solo career of all time.
The 1980s saw Jackson become one of the most recognisable faces on the planet and in 1982 he released Thriller, the highest-selling album ever.
The iconic album sold around 65 million copies and produced seven separate number one singles including the legendary Billie Jean and the signature track - Thriller.
Click here to see Michael Jackson's greatest moments
Later in his career though, Jackson's behaviour and appearance became increasingly more erratic and bizarre.
He would later admit having a number of operations on his face, as his skin colour became dramatically more pale.
Fans and friends also became concerned as he became more and more reclusive, retreating to his legendary Neverland ranch and eventually he stopped performing.
In 1994 Jackson married the daughter of Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, in a short-lived relationship.
His personal life and finances though remained troubled and he was finally forced to sell his home after a series of costly court cases involving allegations of child abuse left him apparently in serious financial difficulties.
Click here to read a comment piece on what Michael Jackson's life says about us
He is survived by his three children, Prince Michael, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II.
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