Michael Jackson Memorial Service
The memorial service for Michael Jackson took place at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles, California. That was exactly the place where the talented entertainer, dance, singer, producer and actor rehearsed on 23 June 2009, just two days before his death.
Michael Jackson, born in 1958 in Indiana, became the lead singer of the Jackson 5, launching his solo career at the age of 13. Jackson experimented with plastic surgery and altered his entire image over the years. In 1994, he married Lisa Marie Presley and they parted ways in 1996. He married Debbie Rowe, and the couple had two children, ‘Prince’ Jackson and Paris Jackson.
There was another child, ‘Blanket’ born from an unknown surrogate. After a series of accusations and a stormy period in his life, the ‘King of Pop’ said he would hold a series of ‘final curtain call’ concerts. They would take place at the O2 Arena in London, England, starting in July 2009.
All tickets sold out in 4 hours.
Michael Jackson never got to experience this comeback tour because on 25 June 2009; the multi-talented star suffered cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home. In spite of CPR attempts, he died on the same day at the age of 50.
The Jackson family held a private funeral on September 3, 2009, in California. Some of the celebrity mourners were his ex-wife, Lisa Marie Presley, and actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Michael Jackson Memorial Service – A Host of Shining Stars
The casket was of solid bronze and with 14-carat gold plate. Inside it had pure blue velvet. This casket was in front of the stage. The memorial service for Michael Jackson started with music and then followed with a eulogy from the pastor, Lucious Smith. On the stage were beautiful flower arrangements and plenty of photographs. There was music and also videos paying tribute to his life.
Right in the front, Michael’s brothers sat, each one of them wearing one white sequined glove. This was in tribute to Michael. Famous celebrities such as Stevie Wonder, Usher, Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey sang some songs. Friends of Michael Jackson such as Brooke Shields and Smokey Robinson paid tribute with eulogies, and Queen Latifah read a poem that she wrote for the funeral.
Michael Jackson Memorial Service – Millions Showed their Adoration
Fans of up to a million were expected to gather outside the Staples Centre, with the largest security contingent effort since the 19894 Olympics planned to be on duty. That cost the city over $1.4 million. This funeral service was broadcast across the world, live. Berry Gordy’s eulogy stated, ‘I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.’ Those words were met with the longest standing ovation for the whole night’s events. The family went out with the casket 
with ‘Man in the Mirror’ playing. The memorial service for Michael Jackson came to an end at 12.48 pm. It was the original plan to bury Jackson on his 51st birthday, but the services were postponed. He was interred at the Forest Lawn Cemetery on 3 September 2009.
Michael Jackson Memorial Service – Millions made even after death
According to recorded figures, over 31 million people from the USA watched the live service on their televisions compared to the 35 million that watched the state funeral of Ronald Reagan, former USA president in 2004. 38 million viewers watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama while over 34 million watched the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in 2008, these figures from the US alone. Jackson’s memorial service was the most watched online streaming event regarding online streaming history.
Michael Jackson had debts when he passed away, but the King of Pop is still raking in millions today. His debt is cleared. In the last six years, he earned a cool £653m. According to Forbes, Michael Jackson is at the top of the Deceased Famous Figures list. But not everyone thinks her is dead. There is a movement in America that believes he is alive and living secretly somewhere.
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All info was correct at time of publishing