There are not many artists in the music business who have made a mark as indelible as Michael Jackson. Dubbed around the world the “King of Pop”, Jackson changed the worldwide music business through his spectacular music, iconic performances and innovative music videos. Even after dying, his influence is still strong on the music business today as his songs collect millions of dollars every year.
Michael Jackson’s music career began in 1964 as a member of the family band, The Jackson 5. Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, where he was the most impressive performer in the band, because of his brilliant singing and dancing talent. His solo career began in the early 1970s while Jackson was still performing with his brothers. Jackson’s career in the music industry lasted for 45 years from 1964 to 2009, when he died.
During his career, Jackson released ten major studio albums, from Off the Wall to Thriller, Bad, Dangerous and HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. Thriller, with sales of over 70 million copies, remains the best-selling album ever. Hundreds of songs were recorded in Jackson’s career. Music historians estimate that over 200 songs were officially released, with many more unreleased tracks still stored in archives.
Jackson turned music videos into cinema. With videos such as Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller and Smooth Criminal, Jackson completely transformed the entertainment industry for good. He appeared in dozens of official music videos during his career, many of which are still watched by millions of fans every year.
Financially, Michael Jackson is considered one of the most successful entertainers ever. It is estimated that during his life he earned more than $1 billion from album sales, concert tours, merchandise, endorsements, publishing rights, and other business investments. Among his most notable investments was a purchase in 1985 of the ATV Music Publishing catalogue, which contained the rights to thousands of songs, including many by members of The Beatles. This later became one of the most valuable assets in the music business.
Jackson also spent a great amount of his fortune on real estate, business investments, charitable contributions, entertainment projects, and his celebrated Neverland Ranch. He was also known as a patron of many humanitarian causes and charities worldwide.
The great Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. Had he lived into 2026, he would have been 67. His death shocked millions of fans and was widely reported in the media worldwide.
Image: AI-generated illustration of Michael Jackson for editorial concept purposes.
Yet Jackson’s financial success didn’t end when he died. In fact, his estate has been described as the most lucrative celebrity estate ever. Since 2009, Jackson’s estate has earned roughly $3.5 billion through: music sales, music streaming, licensing deals, dance productions, documentaries, action figures, jewellery lines, and large portion deals. Forbes has consistently listed him as one of the highest-earning CEOs after death.
Jackson’s music still makes billions today. Millions of listeners each month stream his music across digital platforms, and his albums and compilations sell worldwide. In the months after his death, over 75 million units of music were sold worldwide, underlining the continued demand for his music.
Michael Jackson’s music and business interests are managed by the Estate of Michael Jackson. Co-executors John Branca and John McClain manage licensing deals, music rights, business deals, and projects to help preserve and maintain Michael Jackson’s legacy. The estate has also completed large portions of deals of parts of Michael Jackson’s album catalog as well as managing Michael Jackson’s intellectual property.
Michael Jackson’s Greatest-Selling Songs and Commercial Success
Michael Jackson’s career success can largely be attributed to his global hits. Michael Jackson’s catalogue contains an assortment of hit singles that dominated charts, shattered records and helped define contemporary pop music. Billie Jean, Thriller, Beat It/Benet, Black or White, Smooth Criminal, Bad, and Man in the Mirror were among a long list of Michael Jackson’s worldwide hits and continue to receive millions of listeners even decades after they first made their appearances.
Among his many accomplishments, Thriller is considered his greatest commercial success. Thriller’s 1982 release became the best-selling album in music history and its title track became one of the most iconic works ever recorded. Paul and Beat It also helped cement his status as a global superstar and still resonates as among his most-streamed songs.
Hearts to his hits have endured even after his passing. Michael Jackson’s music can still be found streamed on music platforms, plays on radio stations or featured on television shows, movies, or advertising campaigns and continues to generate money for his legacy. New generations of audiences still find his greatest hits relevant today and often find their way into the modern music landscape.
Although achieving huge success, not every Michael Jackson song charted as highly as the other. Some songs such as “Girlfriend”, “Cry”, “One More Chance”, and a number of promotional releases didn’t get the same level of attention as his biggest chart-toppers. Yet even those songs had a faithful fanbase and added depth to his expansive musical catalogue.
The Most Popular Songs by Michael Jacks
- Billie Jean
- Thriller
- Beat It
- Smooth Criminal
- Black or White
- Bad
- Man in the Mirror
- The Way You Make Me Feel
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
- Remember the Time
These are still among the best-selling recordings in the history of popular music and they continue to generate revenue from sales and usage through streaming licensing and public performance worldwide.
Even more than half a century after he first came onto the music scene, and seventeen years after his death, it is no exaggeration to say that Michael Jackson is one of the most iconic entertainment figures in history. His music transcends age, his music videos have become cultural touchstones, and his estate continues to generate massive revenue.
No artist has combined his range of artistic brilliance, commercial triumphs, and worldwide influence so effectively. The Michael Jackson story is both the story of an entertainer and the story of a cultural luminary whose global influence endures long after his last performance.