The Inspirational Michael Jackson Story Continues

Again these were stories that Jackson disseminated to the media. These incredible stories inspired the nickname "Wacko Jacko" although Michael would eventually despise the nickname. Realizing his mistake, he stopped leaking untruths to the press. However due to the profits raking in from these sensational stories, the media and they began making up their own stories.

Michael was born with medium-brown skin, but from early 1980s, his skin gradually grew paler. This change gained widespread media coverage, including rumors that Jackson was bleaching his skin.

Then in the mid 1980s, Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus, the latter was in remission in Jackson's case, and both illnesses made him sensitive to sunlight. The treatments he used for his condition further lightened his skin color and with the application of pancake makeup to even out blotches, he could appear very pale.

The structure of his face changed as well with many surgeons speculating that Jackson had undergone multiple nose surgeries, a forehead lift, thinned lips and a cheekbone surgeries.

Changes to his face were also partly, due to periods of significant weight loss. Jackson lost weight in the early 1980s because of a change in diet and a desire for "a dancer's body". Some of his colleagues also reported that Jackson was often dizzy and speculated that he was suffering from anorexia nervosa.

Some medical professionals even have publicly stated their belief that the singer had body dysmorphic disorder, a psychological condition whereby the sufferer has no concept of how he is perceived by others.

MJ dismissed the rumor mongers by saying, "Why not just tell people I'm an alien from Mars. Tell them I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight. They'll believe anything you say, because you're a reporter. But if I, Michael Jackson, were to say, 'I'm an alien from Mars and I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight, people would say that Michael Jackson is nuts. He's cracked up. You can't believe a damn word that comes out of his mouth."

In 1992, MJ founded the "Heal the World Foundation". The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's ranch, to go on theme park rides that Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it. The foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease. The Dangerous World Tour began on June 27, 1992, and finished on November 11, 1993.

The entertainer with the compassionate heart performed to 3.5 million people in 67 concerts. All profits from the concerts went to the "Heal the World Foundation", raising millions of dollars in relief.

In a high-profile visit to several African countries, his first stop to Gabon was greeted with a reception of more than 100,000 people in "spiritual bedlam", some of them carrying signs that read, "Welcome Home Michael".

In the Ivory Coast, Michael was crowned "King Sani" by a tribal chief. He then thanked the dignitaries in French and English, signed official documents formalizing his kingship and sat on a golden throne while presiding over ceremonial dances.

One of MJ's most acclaimed performances came during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII. As the performances began, Jackson was catapulted onto the stage as fireworks went off behind him. As he landed on the canvass, he maintained a motionless "clenched fist, standing statue stance", dressed in a gold and black military outfit and sunglasses, he remained completely motionless for several minutes while the crowd cheered.

The entertainer then slowly removed his sunglasses, threw them away and began to sing and dance. His routine included four songs - Jam, Billie Jean, Black or White and Heal the World. It was the first Super Bowl where the audience figures increased during the half-time show, and was viewed by 135 million Americans alone.

In May 1994, Jackson married singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of the other "King", Elvis Presley. They had first met in 1975 during one of Jackson's family engagements at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, and were reconnected through a mutual friend in early 1993.

As child molestation accusations became public, Jackson became dependent on Lisa Marie for emotional support. She was concerned about his faltering health and addiction to drugs. Lisa Marie explained, "I believed he didn't do anything wrong and that he was wrongly accused and yes I started falling for him. I wanted to save him. I felt that I could do it."

Jackson finally proposed to Lisa over the phone towards the late part of 1993, "If I asked you to marry me, would you do it?" Lisa Marie Presley and Jackson were subsequently married in the Dominican Republic in secrecy. At the time, the tabloid media speculated that the wedding was a ploy to prop up Jackson's public image in light of prior sexual abuse allegations.

Their marriage felled through when Jackson and Lisa divorced less than two years later. However, they remained as good friends.

Michael then kept a low profile in most of 1990s and pleasantly surprised the world with the released of Invincible in October 2001. To promote the new album, a special 30th Anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden occurred in September 2001 to mark the Jackson's 30th year as a solo artist.

Michael appeared onstage alongside his siblings for the first time since 1984. The mega celebration also featured performances by Mya, Usher, Whitney Houston, 'N Sync, and Slash, alongside other celebrities.

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Michael helped organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The concert was aired on October 21st October 2001, and included performances from dozens of celebrity entertainers, including Michael himself who performed his song "What More Can I Give" as the finale.

His album, Invincible was a huge commercial success, debuting at the top the charts in 13 countries and going on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide. This album also received double-platinum certification in the US.

However, the sales for Invincible were notably lower as in comparison to his previous releases, due in part to a diminishing pop music industry, the lack of promotion, no supporting world tour because of a commercial dispute.