Dubbed the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, and philanthropist. Over a career spanning 45 years, he broke racial barriers in popular music, revolutionized the music video medium with landmark works like “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” and popularized dance moves—most notably the moonwalk—that reshaped live performance. His albums Off the Wall, Thriller (the best-selling album of all time), Bad, Dangerous, HIStory, and Invincible set new commercial and artistic standards. Jackson’s humanitarian work included founding the Heal the World Foundation and donating hundreds of millions to charity. His sudden death on June 25, 2009, in Los Angeles triggered a global outpouring, cementing his legacy as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.