‘Sleepovers’ with child pals and recipes for 'Jesus Juice': The scandals that dogged Michael Jackson’s life (2024)

MICHAELJackson lived a controversial life and he remains a divisive figure today, years after his death in 2009.

The 'King of Pop' was associated with serious child abuse allegationsinhis later life, and his family were recently forced to defend the legendary singer's memory after details emerged of the disturbing items found in his Neverlandmansion.

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New footage revealed that Michael Jackson had a secret closet at the back of his bedroom which contained a signedphotograph of Macaulay Culkin, stuffed animals and naked photos of young boys.

Here, we take a look at a timeline of the controversial moments which defined Michael Jackson's life - from the moments which shaped his careertothe abuse allegations which continue to taint his memory.

Changing appearance

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The former child star, born in 1958 in Indiana,stunned his fans after it became apparent that his skin was changing colour throughout the late 80s.

The Jackson 5icon had a medium-brown skin colour throughout his youth, which became paler over time - prompting rumours that the singer was bleaching his body.

However, Jackson denied that he had surgically altered his skin, and would later claim he was suffering from a skin condition which was making him paler.

Monkey business

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Jackson made more headlines throughoutthe 80s after he forked out for a chimpanzee called Bubbles, which he bought from a Texan lab.

The animal used to travel around and live with the singer, and is still alive in a Florida animal sanctuary today.

Chamber slumber

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In 1986, it was alleged in the press that Jackson slept in an oxygen chamber to prevent the ageing process.

It later emerged the story was untrue, although it was claimedat the time thatJackson had created and spread the rumours about the chamber himself.

Buying Neverland

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The singer became a global icon in the 80s, and by the end of the decade hewas well established as a controversial figure.

He spent $17m (£11.5m) buildinghis home, the Neverland Ranch, after snapping up the land in 1988.

The property, named after the worldin Peter Pan where children don't age, featured a Ferris wheel, a carousel and a zoo, and was patrolled by a 40-strong security team at all times.

First sexual abuse allegations

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In 1993 the iconic star was rocked by a sex abuse claim made by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, whose father demanded payment from Jackson as compensation.

Jackson denied the allegations,butpolice raided the singers home later that year anddiscovered books and photographs in his bedroom featuring young boys with little or no clothing.

An inconclusive police investigation led to Jackson settling the claim out of court for $22m (£15m).

Jesus Juice

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After the initial abuse claims emerged, a bizarre detail reared its head.

The singer allegedly referred to white wine as "Jesus Juice" and red wine as "Jesus Blood", and apparently drank both out of cans.

He reportedlygave the "juice" to 13-year-old Jordan Chandler at a sleepover, where he was accused of showing the boy and his brother p*rnography, before Jackson gavesleeping pills to the boy's sister.

Blanket on the balcony

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In 2002 Jackson's third child, Prince Michael Jackson II, was born to an unknown mother.

Jackson sparked a media storm later that year when he brought the infant onto the balcony of his Berlin hotel and held the baby, wrapped in a blanket, over his fourth-storey balcony.

Second sexual abuse allegation

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A documentary entitled Living With Michael Jackson was broadcast in 2003, after the singer allowed a film crew to follow him nearly everywhere he went for a year.

In the film, Jackson was seenholding hands and discussing sleeping arrangements with Gavin Arvizo, a13-year-old boy.

After thedocumentary's release and a police raid, Jackson was arrested and charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent in an attempt to drug the child.

The trial of Michael Jackson

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Following the 2003 abuse allegations, Jackson was tried in 2005 and found not guilty on 14charges, which related to child molestation, attempts to drug 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo and an attempt to hold him and his family captive.

Jackson arguedthat anysleepovers with the boy, who he claimed was his friend, were never sexual in nature.

After being acquitted, Jackson closed his Neverland Ranch and moved abroad to Bahrain.

Jackson's death

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Jackson died on June 25, 2009, from an overdose of medical drugs.

His personal doctor was convicted forinvoluntary manslaughter in 2011, and served a two year prison sentence for his part in the singer's death.

Jackson's sex closet

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On June 22, 2016, footage emerged giving an insight into Jackson'sfinal years before his death after a video from the 2003 police raid went public.

A signedphotograph of Macaulay Culkin with the message 'Don’t leave me alone in the house', stuffed animals and naked photos were found hidden in a closet kept closed with three locks in Jackson’s Neverland mansion, the footage revealed.

‘Sleepovers’ with child pals and recipes for 'Jesus Juice': The scandals that dogged Michael Jackson’s life (2024)

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