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- Michael Jackson first rose to fame as a child at just 8 years old with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy
- His sisters Rebbie, LaToya, and Janet also pursued solo singing careers, with Janet achieving the most success of the three.
- Tito passed away at the age of 70 on Sunday, Sept. 15, becoming the second sibling of Michael’s to have died. Their brother Brandon passed away in 1957 shortly after birth, while Michael died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009.
Michael Jackson was one of the most influential figures in pop music history. At just six-years-old, he burst onto the scene as a member of The Jackson Five, where he rose to stardom with hits like “ABC” and “I Want You Back.” He started a solo career in 1971 and skyrocketed into superstardom on his own with his 1982 bestselling album Thriller — which went on to become a timeless classic (along with his other music) all of which are the basis for the current Broadway show MJ: The Musical. After Thriller, Michael scored many more hits on his own, but the foundation was laid alongside his brothers in The Jackson Five, and many of his other siblings went on to successful careers in their own rights.
Coming from the show-biz family, Michael had a strong bond with his siblings growing up, especially in the intensely busy musical group. “Well, you don’t get to do things that other children get to do, having friends and slumber parties and buddies. There were none of that for me. I didn’t have friends when I was little. My brothers were my friends,” he once said, via BrainyQuote. While Michael died in 2009 at age 50 almost of all of his siblings are still alive to continue his legacy, as well as his children Prince, 27, Paris, 26, and Blanket, 22, who all speak of him often.
In her 2021 documentary series, Janet Jackson passionately defended her older brother against sexual assault allegations, reigniting debate about the controversial case. She asserted, “My brother would never do something like that, but I’m still guilty by association — because that’s what they call it, right?” Janet also expressed her firm belief in his innocence, stating, “I could never see him commit that sort of crime. I know my brother. He didn’t have that in him.”
On social media, the “Go Deep” singer has also remembered her brother with sweet throwback photos showing their deep bond and close connection. On the 13th anniversary of his death in 2022, she shared a sweet photo of the two when they were both in their 20s, seemingly posing on a hotel or building balcony. No caption was necessary as she left a white heart as the caption, sending love to him above. LaToya Jackson posted a similar sentiment on the 8th anniversary of his death, writing, “We all love and miss you.”
Find out more about all of his brothers and sisters here.
Maureen Reillette “Rebbie” Jackson
Joe and Katherine Jackson’s eldest child Rebbie, 74, was born in 1950. Even though she’s the oldest of her siblings, she wasn’t the first to start performing publicly. She didn’t join her siblings onstage until the 1970s, when she’d join her brothers onstage in Las Vegas, via Biography. Under the name Rebbie Jackson, she started a solo career in the 1980s, with her debut album Centipede dropping in 1984 featuring a title track of the same name. Notably, the song “Centipede” — her biggest hit to date — was also written by Michael. She then released Reaction in 1986 and and R U Tuff Enuff in 1988.
In 1968, she married Nathaniel Brown, whom she’d been childhood sweethearts with. Unfortunately, Nathaniel died in 2013, but the pair had three children together, including Austin Brown, who’s a successful musician himself. Austin has performed on songs with major artists like Jojo and Ariana Grande.
Sigmund Esco “Jackie” Jackson
The eldest of the Jackson brothers Sigmund (better known as Jackie Jackson), 73, was born in 1951. He was one of the founding members of the Jackson Five, and he was also one of the band’s lead singers, due to his high-pitched, tenor singing voice. Jackie later released two solo albums, first a self-titled album in 1973 and a sophomore album in 1989, called Be The One. Most recently, he dropped a collaboration with the musician Brezz titled Big City After Dark in 2007. He’s also produced film soundtracks for movies like Touch and Go and The Running Man, according to his bio. He’s also stayed in the music industry as a producer.
Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson
Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, Tito Jackson was the third son in the Jackson family. The renowned singer and guitarist from The Jackson 5 and later The Jacksons sadly passed away at the age of 70 on Sunday, September 15. According to Entertainment Tonight., he suffered an apparent heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.
As detailed in his bio, Tito was encouraged by his father, Joe, to form a band with his brothers after a performance mishap. This led him to embark on a musical career that spanned several decades. While his siblings pursued solo careers, Tito also ventured into a solo career, performing and touring blues and funk music worldwide. He toured with the BB King Blues Band on notable tours in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Tito released two solo albums: Tito Time in 2016, which featured R&B and soul music, and Under Your Spell in 2021, which focused on blues.
Tito remained active with The Jacksons, touring this summer alongside his brothers Jackie and Marlon, as well as his son Taryll Adren Jackson.
Earlier this week, while in Munich, Germany, Tito and The Jacksons visited a memorial dedicated to their late brother Michael. Tito shared on Facebook, “We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”
Tito is survived by his three sons—Taj, Taryll, and TJ—who were part of the R&B group 3T, formed in 1994 and managed by their father. He is also survived by his numerous grandchildren.
His ex-wife, Delores “Dee Dee” Martes, passed away in 1994.
Jermaine La Juane Jackson
Katherine gave birth to Jermaine, 69, in 1954. While Michael is probably the best-known member of the Jackson Five, Jermaine had significant singing contributions to some of the group’s biggest hits. He controversially left the band in 1976, when his brothers signed with CBS, and he remained with Motown Records, according to his bio. He went back to the band in 1984. Still relatively early in the Jacksons’ career, he released a self-titled solo album in 1972, and he’s released numerous albums under his own name since then, with the most recent being 2012’s I Wish You Love.
LaToya Yvonne Jackson
The second Jackson daughter LaToya, 68, was born in May 1956. Like her siblings, her career started with backup vocals for The Jackson Five, but she’s also been one of the most outspoken critics of her family. She accused her father of abuse in her 1991 memoir La Toya: Growing Up In The Jackson Family, via AllMusic. LaToya and her family’s disputes came in the midst of her marriage to her former manager Jack Gordon, via The New York Times. LaToya claimed that her ex was abusive in a 2013 interview with HuffPost.
Like her siblings, LaToya also embarked on a solo career outside of The Jackson Five, starting with a self-titled album in 1980. Her most recent release was an EP titled Starting Over in 2011. Even more recently, LaToya was one of the contestants in the first season of The Masked Singer, where she was the Alien, via IMDb.
Marlon David Jackson
Marlon, 67, and his twin brother Brandon were born in 1957. Marlon was incredibly close with his brother Michael. During the Thriller singer’s funeral in 2009, Marlon gave a tearful eulogy, where he said that Michael was the “soul” of the family. While Marlon was a member of the Jackson Five, he only released one solo album, 1987’s Baby Tonight. Marlon pursued more business-oriented ventures, founding the Major Broadcasting Cable Network in 1999, which later became the Black Family Channel, which was sold in 2007, via his bio.
Brandon Jackson
Brandon, Marlon’s twin, died very shortly after birth due to respiratory failure. When Michael passed away, Marlon mentioned Brandon in his eulogy, saying, “I would like for you to give our brother, my twin brother, Brandon, a hug for me.”
Steven Randall “Randy” Jackson
The youngest Jackson brother Randy, 62, was born in 1961, and he didn’t join his brothers in the Jackson Five until 1971, when he played congas with the band. He became an official member in 1976, when the group left Motown for CBS, per his bio. He started a band called Randy & The Gypsys, which released a self-titled album in 1989, but then broke up. Randy has stayed in the industry, but mostly on the business side, after the Jacksons broke up. He co-founded Total Multi-Media Inc. in 1990, with the goal of improving education and entertainment technology. He also bought and became president of Modern Records in 1998. In 2018, he co-founded Rhythm Nation Records with his sister Janet, which was focused on independent releases, per his website.
Janet Damita Jo Jackson
The youngest Jackson sibling, Janet, 58, was born in 1966. Aside from Michael, she may be the most well-known of her siblings. She released several beloved albums in the 1980s and 90s, including Control, Rhythm Nation 1814, and Janet, which are now regarded as classics. She has continued to release music consistently over the years, with her most recent album being Unbreakable in 2015.
In January 2022, Janet was featured in the high-profile documentary series Janet Jackson, which provided an in-depth look at her life, career, and challenges. The series was well-received by both fans and critics. In 2023, Janet embarked on her Together Again Tour, marking her first major tour in over a decade. The tour celebrated her extensive catalog of hits and connected her with fans worldwide.
Joh’Vonnie Jackson
Outside of his siblings, Michael also had a half-sister Joh’Vonnie, 50, whom Joe had with a woman he had an affair with named Cheryl Terrell in 1974. While she’s technically Michael’s half sister, Joh’Vonnie revealed that she didn’t have a strong relationship with the Jackson family in a 2018 interview with DailyMail, where she claimed she was “hidden away” and “kept secret” and never fully accepted. “I have met every single last one of them, but for some reason there has always been something stopping them from accepting me, from being close to me,” she said at the time. “Of course when I was around them there was a show of love, but once I was gone there was no phone calls asking how I’m doing or how is my daughter doing, it’s upsetting, real hurtful and I still feel rejected.”