LOS ANGELES, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Michael Jackson, one of the most legendary and popular music icons on Earth, died from a heart attack at his rented mansion in LA Thursday afternoon, sending shockwaves throughout the world.

U.S. pop star Michael Jackson performs "We are the World" during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London November 15, 2006.  (Xinhua/Reuters file photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    On August 29, 1958, Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, as the seventh of the nine children in the family. In 1963, Michael with four older brothers made their show business debut as the Jackson Five pop group.

    Motown Founder Berry Gordon signed the group in 1968. But as their popularity grew, some of the Jackson brothers began branching out on their own.

    But it was Michael who became a sensation -- most notably with the 1979 release of the album "Off the Wall."

    His status as a musical superstar was cemented in 1982 after the release of "Thriller," an album that generated seven top-10 hits with sales exceeding 41 million, the top-selling album of all time.

    While performing his hit song "Billie Jean" on a television special, Jackson showed off what later became one of his signature dance moves -- the moonwalk.

    The "Thriller" video, directed by John Landis, became an instant cult favorite, and is continually emulated.

    "Thriller" was followed by "Bad" in 1987 with 20 million copies of sales and "Dangerous" in 1991 with 21 million copies sold, all sensations at that time.

    Jackson was symbolized by flamboyant clothes, trademark sunglasses and sequined glove he wore on one hand.

    Over the course of his career, however, Jackson's personal life came under more and more scrutiny, most notably an obvious change in his skin color and strange appearances. In 1993, Jackson told Oprah Winfrey that the change was caused by a skin disease. He was also rarely seen in public without a surgical mask over his face.

    Also at that time, a 13-year-old boy claimed that Jackson had fondled him during a sleepover at the singer's 2,900-acre Neverland Ranch compound in Los Olivos in Santa Barbara County. Jackson denied any wrongdoing and eventually reached a financial settlement of 23.3 million dollars with the boy's family.

    In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of lewd conduct with a minor in Santa Barbara County.

    After the trial, Jackson moved to Bahrain, far from the constant media scrutiny that dogged him in California.

    Beset by financial difficulties, Jackson sold Neverland Ranch in 2008.

    He stunned the public by marrying Lisa Marie Presley, the 26-year-old daughter of Elvis Presley, another legendary music idol, in 1994, but they divorced after only two years.

    He then married a nurse named Debbie Rowe, who -- through artificial insemination -- gave birth to two children, Prince Michael and Paris Michael Katherine. Jackson had another son, Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II, with an unknown woman. Jackson and Rowe divorced in 1999.