"Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection", his third greatest hits package in less than ten years, sold 250,000 copies worldwide following its release in October 2004.
"The Essential Michael Jackson", another greatest hits package, debuted at a surprisingly high Number 2 on the UK charts and sold 200,000 copies within five months. In the United States it only reached Number 96 and soon disappeared.
Macaulay Culkin is godfather to his two eldest children.
Moonwalker (1988) was certified as the all-time top selling music video in March 1989.
Tatum O'Neal, was Jackson's first girlfriend and allegedly his first real love. However, she denied this in her book, saying that he only kissed.
The Elephant Man (1980) was one of his favorite movies.
1st May 2001: His video for "Thriller" was voted at #1 by VH1 on their countdown of the Top 100 Greatest Videos Of All Time. At #2 was "Like A Prayer" by Madonna.
A $10 million lawsuit filed by Jackson was dismissed by a US judge. The lawsuit was filed against a man from New Jersey who was allegedly in possession of items and memorabilia that Jackson claims were stolen. (14 January 2006).
A special 25th anniversary edition of his 1982 album "Thriller", entitled "Thriller 25", sold an estimated 3 million copies worldwide.
Achieved the dubious distinction in 2009 of meriting the number three position on Forbes magazine's list of "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities". Jackson's posthumous earnings of $90 million were surpassed only by Yves Saint-Laurent and Richard Rodgers and 'Oscar Hammerstein (II)' (as Rodgers & Hammerstein).
Addressed the Oxford Union on the subject of child welfare and his new initiative "Heal the Kids". (6 March 2001)
An Andy Warhol head-and-shoulders portrait of Jackson made the cover of Time magazine on March 19, 1984.
An Amazon spokesperson said that the website sold out of all of his CDs, and those of the Jackson 5, within minutes of the news of his death breaking.
Announced his intention to record a charity single dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina entitled, "I Have This Dream". Ciara, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Keyshia Cole, James Ingram, Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson, Shanice, the Shirley Caesar and The O'Jays all supposedly lent their voices to the charity song. At the time, Jackson's spokesperson, Raymone K. Bain, said the list of performers included Mary J. Blige, Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott, Jay-Z, James Brown and Lenny Kravitz. All of these artists later appeared to be no longer participating. The Katrina Charity Single remains unreleased.
At his peak, Jackson was reportedly worth around $1 Billion.
At the time of his death Jackson was living in a rented mansion once owned by the actor Sir Sean Connery in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Attended James Brown's funeral in Augusta, Georgia. (30 December 2006).
Attended a memorial service for the late actor Marlon Brando in August 2004, along with Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson and Sean Penn.
Attended the funeral of his close friend Ryan White in April 1990.
Brother of (in this order) Rebbie Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson and Janet Jackson.