The King of Pop is no more with us. As he leaves for a moonwalk to the heavens up above, we present to you a few lesser known facts about the pop icon
1. Through his "Heal the World" Foundation, Jackson spearheaded airlifts of food and medical supplies to war-torn Sarajevo, instituted mentoring, immunization and drug-abuse education programs and paid for a Hungarian child's liver transplant
2. Michael Jackson’s estate contains a child's mini coaster, Zipper, Bumper cars, Merry go round, octopus, Giant slide and rocking dragon. There is also a full size basketball court, water wars section (for water gun fights), 2 Trains, (one steam train) and a zoo where he has various exotic animals including elephants, giraffes, alligators, a tiger and even an Anaconda.
3. Jackson shocked his fans when he dangled his third child, infant Prince Michael II, over a balcony on the fourth floor of a Berlin, Germany hotel for all hovering fans to see. He later stated that he made "a terrible mistake." In 2008 Michael was featured on a list of the world's worst hotel guests on a website due to the incident.
4. Jackson refers to his music videos as "short films"
5. Michael Jackson’s favourite ‘Beatles' song is "Come Together"
6. Tatum O’Neal was Jackson's first girlfriend and allegedly his first real love.
7. Michael once dated Brooke Shields.
8. Copied his moon walk after mime Marcel Marceau in "walk-against-the- wind" pantomime techniques.
9. Michael had a pet chimp named 'Bubbles', a rat that’s called Ben, a ram called Mr. Tibbs, a python called Crusher and Louie the llama.
10. President Ronald Reagan wanted to award a special White House medal to Jackson. However, future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts advised against the proposal, saying the award was too much for a pop singer.
11. Received a Presidential Humanitarian Award from President Reagan at the White House in May 1984, in recognition of Jackson's contribution to the government's campaign against drunk driving
12. Was offered to write and perform the songs for Batman (1989), but had to turn it down due to his concert commitments
13. In January 2000 Jackson announced he was considering retiring from the music industry, citing his weariness at publicity as a reason.
14. Jackson hired film director Martin Scorsese to direct the video for the "Bad" album's title track. When the 18-minute music video debuted on television, it sparked a great deal of controversy as it was apparent that Jackson's appearance had changed dramatically
15. Recorded an anti-war song about the US invasion of Iraq, "We've Had Enough", which was included on his greatest hits package "Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection".
16. Promotional videos of some of his songs have cost more than some motion pictures.
17. Was reported to have attempted suicide in December 2005.
18. Some of his favorite pastimes were water balloon fights and climbing trees. He wrote several songs sitting in his favorite tree at Neverland, which he called Giving Tree, because it was so inspiring.
19. Won a poll of superstars to have his image on a stamp issued by the Virgin Islands in July 1985. He asked the Virgin Islands to donate all revenue generated by the sale of stamps priced between 60 cents and $1.50 to welfare and education.
20. Originally intended to begin his solo career when he turned eighteen in 1976, but financial problems forced him to remain with the Jackson Five, renaming themselves The Jacksons for legal reasons, until 1979.
21. In 1997 a survey declared Jackson the most famous person in the world, ahead of Pope John Paul II and then US President Bill Clinton.
22. Michael once said, “There is a lot of sadness in my past life. My father beat me. It was difficult to take being beaten and then going on stage. He was strict; very hard and stern.”
23. The pop king was once said, “I don't like pop music.”
24. Jackson once said, “I'll always be Peter Pan in my heart.”
25. Eminem in his song ‘Just Lose It’ had poked fun at Michael Jackson to which he reacted, “I think that it's demeaning and disrespectful but I also want to make it clear it's not just about me but a pattern of disrespect that he has shown to our community. He needs to stop it and he needs to stop it now." - MJ
26. Michael's hair caught on fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial in 1984.
27. Michael Jackson is a pure vegetarian
28. Jackson's Billie Jean was the first video by a black artist to air on MTV.
29. Jackson's waxwork features in five Madame Tussauds museums across the world
30. Jackson's favourite superhero is Morph from the X-Men.
31. Jackson picked up his iconic moonwalk moves from street-dancers he spotted performing outside a hotel.
32. One of Jackson’s fans from France committed suicide in 1984. His mother had reportedly refused to allow him to undergo surgery to look like MJ.
33. The Scream music video Jackson made with sister Janet is the most expensive promo ever made, costing more than $7 million
34. Jackson is a King in West Africa - he was given a royal title by villagers in Gabon, Ivory Coast in 1992.
35. Before every concert, Jackson drinks Ricola candy dissolved in hot water. He claims it helps to keep his throat and his voice clear.
36. Jackson owns the patent for a stage shoe device that allows performers to lean forward and appear to defy gravity.
37. Jackson's performance during the 1993 SuperBowl half-time show drew the largest TV audience in American history.
38. Jackson provided a voiceover on The Simpsons - but it remained a secret for 12 years. He voiced a character in a mental institution in the Stark Raving Dad episode, which aired in 1991, but, because of a contractual problem, Jackson had to be credited as John Jay Smith.
39. The book ‘Michael Jackson Was My Lover’ features a picture that – purportedly – depicts Michael Jackson's penis
40. Michael Jackson often carries an umbrella.
41. Artists to have sung Michael's songs include Ian Brown (Billie Jean), Blackstreet (Billie Jean) and the Flying Pickets (Billie Jean), Ashanti (Rock With You), Alien Ant Farm (Smooth Criminal) and Boyzone (Ben).
42. Michael’s father Joseph once donned burglar attire and broke into Michael's bedroom while he was asleep, to teach him a Lesson - about not leaving the window open.
43. Michael cries sometimes. He was quoted as saying, “People think they know me, but they don't. Not really. Actually, I am one of the loneliest people on this earth. I cry sometimes, because it hurts. It does. To be honest, I guess you could say that it hurts to be me.”
44. Michael took to music to music to give the world escapism through the wonder of great music. He also wanted to reach the masses through his music.
45. It was James Brown who inspired Michael to take up dancing. Jackson once said, “When I saw him move I was mesmerized. I've never seen a performer perform like James Brown and right then and there I knew that that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
46. Michael likes to be called The King of Pop.
