‘Sleepovers’ with child pals and that recipe for Jesus Juice: The scandals that dogged Michael Jackson’s life
MICHAEL Jackson lived a controversial life and he remains a divisive figure today, years after his death in 2009.
The 'King of Pop' was associated with serious child abuse allegations in his later life, and his family were recently forced to defend the legendary singer's memory after details emerged of the disturbing items found in his Neverland mansion.
New footage revealed that Michael Jackson had a secret closet at the back of his bedroom which contained a signed photograph of Macaulay Culkin, stuffed animals and naked photos of young boys.
Here, we take a look at a timeline of the controversial moments which defined Michael Jackson's life - from the moments which shaped his career to the abuse allegations which continue to taint his memory.
Changing appearance
The former child star, born in 1958 in Indiana, stunned his fans after it became apparent that his skin was changing colour throughout the late 80s.
The Jackson 5 icon had a medium-brown skin colour throughout his youth, which became paler over time - prompting rumours that the singer was bleaching his body.
However, Jackson denied that he had surgically altered his skin, and would later claim he was suffering from a skin condition which was making him paler.
Monkey business
Jackson made more headlines throughout the 80s after he forked out for a chimpanzee called Bubbles, which he bought from a Texan lab.
The animal used to travel around and live with the singer, and is still alive in a Florida animal sanctuary today.
Chamber slumber
In 1986, it was alleged in the press that Jackson slept in an oxygen chamber to prevent the ageing process.
It later emerged the story was untrue, although it was claimed at the time that Jackson had created and spread the rumours about the chamber himself.
Buying Neverland
The singer became a global icon in the 80s, and by the end of the decade he was well established as a controversial figure.
He spent $17m (£11.5m) building his home, the Neverland Ranch, after snapping up the land in 1988.
The property, named after the world in Peter Pan where children don't age, featured a Ferris wheel, a carousel and a zoo, and was patrolled by a 40-strong security team at all times.
First sexual abuse allegations
In 1993 the iconic star was rocked by a sex abuse claim made by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, whose father demanded payment from Jackson as compensation.
Jackson denied the allegations, but police raided the singers home later that year and discovered books and photographs in his bedroom featuring young boys with little or no clothing.
An inconclusive police investigation led to Jackson settling the claim out of court for $22m (£15m).
Jesus Juice
After the initial abuse claims emerged, a bizarre detail reared its head.
The singer allegedly referred to white wine as "Jesus Juice" and red wine as "Jesus Blood", and apparently drank both out of cans.
He reportedly gave the "juice" to 13-year-old Jordan Chandler at a sleepover, where he was accused of showing the boy and his brother pornography, before Jackson gave sleeping pills to the boy's sister.
Blanket on the balcony
In 2002 Jackson's third child, Prince Michael Jackson II, was born to an unknown mother.
Jackson sparked a media storm later that year when he brought the infant onto the balcony of his Berlin hotel and held the baby, wrapped in a blanket, over his fourth-storey balcony.
Second sexual abuse allegation
A documentary entitled Living With Michael Jackson was broadcast in 2003, after the singer allowed a film crew to follow him nearly everywhere he went for a year.
In the film, Jackson was seen holding hands and discussing sleeping arrangements with Gavin Arvizo, a 13-year-old boy.
After the documentary's release and a police raid, Jackson was arrested and charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent in an attempt to drug the child.
The trial of Michael Jackson
Following the 2003 abuse allegations, Jackson was tried in 2005 and found not guilty on 14 charges, which related to child molestation, attempts to drug 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo and an attempt to hold him and his family captive.
Jackson argued that any sleepovers with the boy, who he claimed was his friend, were never sexual in nature.
After being acquitted, Jackson closed his Neverland Ranch and moved abroad to Bahrain.
Jackson's death
Jackson died on June 25, 2009, from an overdose of medical drugs.
His personal doctor was convicted for involuntary manslaughter in 2011, and served a two year prison sentence for his part in the singer's death.
Jackson's sex closet
On June 22, 2016, footage emerged giving an insight into Jackson's final years before his death after a video from the 2003 police raid went public.
A signed photograph of Macaulay Culkin with the message 'Don’t leave me alone in the house', stuffed animals and naked photos were found hidden in a closet kept closed with three locks in Jackson’s Neverland mansion, the footage revealed.