Michael Jackson, widely regarded as the “King of Pop,” lived a life that was both fascinating and complex. Beyond his musical genius, Jackson’s personal life had many intriguing aspects that even dedicated fans might not know. Here are 10 surprising facts about Michael Jackson:

Forced into Music by His Father Michael Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, was determined to make his children music superstars. Joe often enforced harsh discipline, including physical punishments, to keep his children focused on music, isolating them from typical childhood experiences. This intense upbringing profoundly affected Michael’s social interactions throughout his life.
Unknown Mother of His Youngest Child Jackson had three children—Prince, Paris, and Bigi (formerly known as Blanket). While Prince and Paris’s mother, Debbie Rowe, is publicly known, the identity of Bigi’s surrogate mother remains undisclosed, a mystery still speculated about today.
Gifted a 5,000-Pound Elephant In 1991, actress Elizabeth Taylor gifted Jackson an Asian elephant named Gypsy as gratitude for allowing her wedding at his Neverland Ranch. Jackson actually had two elephants, Gypsy and Ali. Ali famously wandered into a giraffe enclosure but was safely recovered.
Marriage to Elvis Presley’s Daughter In 1994, Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley. They had initially met when Lisa Marie was seven years old, reconnecting as adults in 1992. The marriage ended after only 20 months but remains a notable moment in celebrity history.
Medical Center Named After Him After Jackson suffered severe burns filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984, Pepsi compensated him with $1.5 million. Jackson donated the entire amount to the Brotman Medical Center in California, which subsequently named its burns department the “Michael Jackson Burn Center.”
Reason Behind Jackson’s Changing Skin Color Michael Jackson faced widespread scrutiny for his dramatically altered skin tone. Contrary to accusations of deliberate skin bleaching, Jackson had vitiligo, a medical condition causing loss of pigmentation. An autopsy after his death confirmed this condition, along with other mental health struggles like body dysmorphia.
Crowned King in Africa In 1992, during his African tour, Jackson was crowned King Sonni in a village on the Ivory Coast. The village held an elaborate ceremony, complete with traditional attire and celebrations. Jackson remained a ceremonial king until his death, with the villagers even requesting to bury him officially—a request that was ultimately denied.
Attempted to Purchase Marvel Comics During the 1990s, Jackson tried buying Marvel Comics, which had filed for bankruptcy. He envisioned portraying himself as superhero characters like Spider-Man or Professor X. However, his efforts to acquire Marvel were unsuccessful, and he never played these iconic roles.
Conspiracy Theories Around His Death Michael Jackson’s death in 2009 sparked conspiracy theories suggesting his assassination was motivated by financial interests, particularly due to his lucrative ownership of The Beatles’ catalog and substantial stake in Sony Records. Though officially ruled as cardiac arrest, theories persist alleging his death involved deliberate corporate sabotage to reclaim valuable music rights.
Financial Struggles Despite Massive Earnings Despite earning roughly $100 million annually at his career’s peak, Michael Jackson experienced significant financial turmoil, owing largely to extravagant spending habits. His investments, like the Neverland Ranch and legal battles, notably the costly 2005 trial, plunged him into debt exceeding $300 million at the time of his death. Nevertheless, posthumously, his estate rebounded significantly, making him the highest-earning deceased celebrity with an estate valued over $500 million.

Michael Jackson’s life was full of complexities, marked by both extraordinary achievements and profound struggles. These surprising details highlight just how multifaceted the King of Pop truly was.