~Michael Joseph Jackson (1958-2009)~

Celebrity Career Highlights

Legendary icon Michael Jackson created magic on stage, in the recording studio, and in the hearts of many millions of people worldwide.

At 11 years young—Michael Jackson was the main performer of the wildly successful Motown family-act the Jackson 5—and already a star.

Later in time—now a solo artist, Michael Jackson, phenomenal entertainer, singer, songwriter, and dancer—became a superstar.

Here are just a few of this celebrity’s many monumental accomplishments:

• He received numerous prestigious awards from Grammys to MTV Music Video Awards.
• 47 of his solo singles charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
• 13 of his singles hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• He was a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jackson was inducted in 1997 as part of the Jackson 5 and again in 2001 as a Solo Artist.
• His album Thriller became one of the most celebrated biggest NW albums in pop history, selling more than 40 million copies worldwide and earning a record eight Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and more than 150 gold and platinum awards. In 1985 Thriller was proclaimed the Best Selling Album of All Time by the Guinness Book of Records.

Yet, beyond his fame, there was another contribution that ‘made a difference’ which was his charitable contributions for the many philanthropic causes close to his heart.

And this was the King of Pop Michael Jackson’s best -kept secret.

A Loving Legacy To Heal The World

Michael Jackson had a personal quest to heal the world.

The 2000 book of Guinness World Records— stated that Michael Jackson supported more charities than any other entertainer or personality—Michael Jackson supported 39 charities through sponsorships and cash donations.

Not only did he donate millions of dollars to the charities he supported, he raised millions more through the charity he founded in 1992 the Heal the World Foundation .

In 1985 Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the humanitarian anthem ‘We Are The World’ a charity single that raised millions of dollars towards famine relief.

Look To The Stars a website on ‘The World of Celebrity Giving’ reports on more of the results of Michael Jackson’s altruism:

• Jackson donated tickets to shows in is 1989 Bad Tour to underprivileged children. The proceeds from one of his shows in Los Angeles were donated to Childhelp USA, the biggest charity-organization against child-abuse. Childhelp of Southern California then established the “Michael Jackson International Institute for Research On Child Abuse”

• In 1986, he set up the “Michael Jackson United Negro College Fund Endowed Scholarship Fund”. This $1.5 million fund is aimed towards students majoring in performance art and communications, with money given each year to students attending a UNCF member college or university.

• In 1984, Jackson equipped a 19-bed-unit at Mount Senai New York Medical Center. This center is part of the T.J. Martell-Foundation for leukemia and cancer research. Later in the year, he visited the Brotman Memorial Hospital, where he had been treated when he was burned very badly during the producing of a Pepsi commercial. He donated all the money he received from Pepsi, $1.5 million, to the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children.

Paying Tribute To His Generous Spirit

When the news of Michael Jackson’s death reverberated throughout the world Mel Wilson (Vice President, Heal the World Foundation) posted a letter on the HTWF website, here is a passage:

‘To all those who love him,

The death of Michael Jackson is a great American tragedy.  His heart had been battered on all fronts, but he believed in humanity and wanted to change the world.

People are now remembering his music legacy, but behind the scenes, unknown to all but a small handful of people, during these last 7 years he authorized that tens of thousands be spent on preserving his charity organization Heal the World Foundation (HTWF).’

Unparalleled Contributions

The memory of the famous entertainer Michael Jackson’s gifts to mankind—his stellar contributions to the world of music and his astounding philanthropy—are everlasting.

Dear Readers: For more information on Michael Jackson’s philanthropy visit JacksonAction which recorded an extensive timeline of Jackson’s charity work.

[Photos By Catias, Richard Pflaume, Msmelva, Venison, N06, and Nyki_m via Flickr]