World mourns pop star Michael Jackson

Things to Do

World mourns pop star Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is dead

Bernadette Gillies, of Salt Lake City, cries while browsing through Michael Jackson 45s at Randy's Records & CDs in Salt Lake City on Thursday.

Jermaine Jackson, brother of Michael Jackson, speaks during a news conference held at the UCLA Medical Center. Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 1:07 p.m. Pacific Time. He had been rushed to the hospital, a six-minute drive from the rented mansion in which he was living, shortly after noon by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics. A hospital spokesman would not confirm reports of cardiac arrest.

Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, pauses for a moment before the news conference.

Women embrace outside UCLA Medical Center after learning of the death of Michael Jackson on Thursday.

A Los Angeles Police Department detective, left, and an unidentified man walk out from Michael Jackson's rented home. As with Elvis Presley or the Beatles, it is impossible to calculate the full effect Jackson had on the world of music. At his peak, he was indisputably the biggest star in the world and has sold more than 750 million albums.

A lookalike fan of Michael Jackson brought flowers to a vigil for the performer Thursday night in Mexico City.

TJ Thomas and Marie Bouchard remember Michael Jackson at the star they believe belongs to pop star Michael Jackson but that belongs to a radio personality of the same name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dedrick Weathersby of Longview, Texas, front, dances outside Hitsville U.S.A., the Motown museum in Detroit, to honor Michael Jackson.

The circumstances of Michael Jackson's death Thursday were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center (above), Ruda told the newspaper.

In the past few months, Jackson had been rehearsing for the 50 concerts he was to play at London's O2 Arena. They were supposed to have served as a turning point in Jackson's career, helping him get out from under his debt and returning him to the stage.

A view of UCLA Medical Plaza as media gathers on the news that Michael Jackson has passed away.

People watch the news and video about Michael Jackson in New York's Times Square.

A woman cries outside the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after learning of the death of Michael Jackson on Thursday.

Terry Tarrant carries a memorial to honor Michael Jackson to Hitsville U.S.A., the Motown museum in Detroit.

Eddie Oliver displays a photo of The Jackson Five as a crowd gathers at the old family home of Michael Jackson in Gary, Ind., Thursday.

In Times Square, Valli Hogan, left, of the Bronx, Regina Singleton, center, of Brooklyn, and Lourdes Camacho of Brooklyn react to the news that Michael Jackson died Thursday in Los Angeles.

Shayla Ivy cries as she holds a wax replica of Michael Jackson outside of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum at The Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Pamela Wilbert, right, hugs Dorothy Ellis as they look at a wax figure of Michael Jackson at the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.

Police block the entrance of the emergency room at the UCLA Medical Center after the reported death of pop superstar Michael Jackson.

Mourners gather outside the boyhood home of Michael Jackson in Gary, Ind. Radio stations across America reacted to his death with marathon sessions of his songs. MTV, which was born in part as a result of Jackson's groundbreaking videos, reprised its early days as a music channel by showing his biggest hits.

The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks to the media about the death of Michael Jackson in front of the Apollo Theater in New York.

A display of Michael Jackson memorabilia rests at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. Jim Henke, the curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, says Michael Jackson had an amazing body of work that few people have matched in their careers.

Fans hold pictures of singer Michael Jackson outside the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles Thursday. For his legions of fans, he was the Peter Pan of pop music: the little boy who refused to grow up.

Rick Witsoe, who says he has been a Michael Jackson impersonator for 29 years, performs on the street

A fan yells out Michael Jackson's name in front of the Apollo Theater in Harlem..

1/25

Bernadette Gillies, of Salt Lake City, cries while browsing through Michael Jackson 45s at Randy's Records & CDs in Salt Lake City on Thursday.

Today's Gallery Headlines

The Center tour

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

Wayfair Tour

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store

Atlanta Hawks host the Boston Celtics

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Celtics in key East battle

People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 'No Kings' rally at Bishop Park in Athens, Ga.

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park

4th Annual Rick Ross Car Show

PHOTOS: Rapper Rick Ross holds 4th annual car show in Fayetteville