What happened to Michael Jackson’s father?

Michael Jackson was one of 10 children born to Joseph “Joe” Jackson and Katherine (née Scruse) Jackson. (One child died shortly after birth.) Joe, who worked at a steel mill, was a musician and was known as a strict disciplinarian. After recognizing his children’s musical abilities, he formed the Jackson 5, a pop group that eventually included Michael and several of his brothers. The group signed with Motown and achieved international success in the 1970s. Joe reportedly had them rehearse for up to five hours daily, and he would use a switch or belt to punish mistakes. He also gave some of his children cruel nicknames, allegedly calling Michael “Big Nose.” (Some biographers claim it was Michael’s brothers who called him by that name.)

By the early 1980s, Joe had founded his own record label, and he was involved in launching the career of his youngest daughter, Janet Jackson. He also played a role in Michael’s early solo career in the 1970s and ’80s. Michael and several of his siblings later claimed that Joe had been physically and emotionally abusive, allegations that Joe denied. Around this time Joe and Katherine separated, though they remained married. Michael reportedly provided his mother with a monthly stipend, and she in turn gave some of the money to Joe.

Michael Jackson died in 2009, and he left nothing to his father in the will. Joe Jackson died in 2018 from pancreatic cancer. He was 89.