Michael Jackson is dead

Jackson's death, aged 50, was broadcast to the world from TMZ.com

Michael Jackson was rushed to hospital on Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles and pronounced dead at 2:26 pm local time. The King of Pop suffered a cardiac arrest in his Holmby Hills home where paramedics found him collapsed and not breathing.

This death has come as Jackson was embarking on a comeback in London. Concert promoters stated that a recent medical had shown ‘no issues whatsoever’. However aides to the singer have said that he collapsed after injecting Demerol, a synthetic opiate.

Jackson had a career lasting 40 years with many significant moments such as his participation in the Jackson 5, and having the bigget selling pop album of all time, ‘Thriller’. However he has gained notoriety in other ways: notably his physical transformation, medical issues and several allegations of child abuse.

The singer’s constantly changing skin colour and face shape was also constantly under media scrutiny. He was eventually diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus making him sensitive to light. He also had a myriad of plastic surgery operations, especially on his face.

The most recent and overshadowing event was the court case regarding allegations of child abuse on his Neverland ranch. He was acquitted but took a lot of damage to his reputation, financial situation and health.

Jackson leaves behind three children, a substantial musical legacy and millions of devoted fans. His life was entertainment. He is one of the most important figures in popular music whose legacy will outlive the scandals within his life. Unfortunately but inevitable he was a victim of his own success. From a very early age until his death he was prey to those who wanted a part of his wealth and fame. He paid the toll with drug abuse and mental illness. He was 50 years old.

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