Joe Jackson, Father of the Jackson 5, has Died

The patriarch of the Jackson family, Joe Jackson has died. According to TMZ, Jackson was 89-years-old and had been hospitalized with terminal cancer. Claims that Jackson’s health had been fading were speculated when the former manager of the boy band featuring his five children, the Jackson 5, had several heart attacks and a stroke back in 2015.

Joe Jackson was regarded as one of the most successful managers in music history, catapulting his children into the limelight at young ages. The Jackson 5 was comprised of Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, Marlon, and Michael Jackson. The family’s fame made them one of the biggest acts out of the Motown era. Michael Jackson went on to achieve superstardom until his untimely death in 2009.

Although Joe was the mastermind behind the band, he was also accused of being extremely ruthless and physically and emotionally abusive by his children. Much of these claims went on to be depicted in the movie about the band, The Jacksons: An American Dream that was released in 1992.

It’s said that Jackon’s wife Katherine was by his side when he passed. The couple’s rocky relationship was also a theme in the movie, Joe Jackson was a subject of infidelity regarding his marriage to Katherine.

The couple had 10 children in all – including superstar Janet Jackson.

RIP.