It’s been 12 years since the King of Pop Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50. His musical influence still reigns supreme throughout the industry, with dozens of his songs still carrying a heavy presence in the collective consciousness.
Today, on the anniversary of his death, we look back at some images of the pop icon, and remember his complicated and troubled past.
Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: The stage is set with an empty space for the casket at the Michael Jackson public memorial service at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
2002 MTV Video Music Awards – Show
ShareBritney Spears and Michael Jackson at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards - August 29, 2002. Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect.
American Bandstand’s 50th..A Celebration – Day 2
ShareMichael Jackson performs at the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration", April 20, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
GettyImages-708621
ShareMichael Jackson performs at the taping of 'American Bandstands 50th...A Celebration' television special honoring the music show April 20, 2002 (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XXVII: Dallas Cowboys v Buffalo Bills
ShareMichael Jackson performs during the Halftime show 1993. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Michael Jackson
ShareMichael Jackson sings at half-time during the Super Bowl X XVII game Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
Michael Jackson Arraignment on Child Molestation Charges
ShareMichael Jackson leaves the courthouse after his arraignment April 30, 2004. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
The World Music Awards – Show
ShareMichael Jackson performs on stage during the 2006 World Music Awards (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images)
Michael Jackson Visits Camp Zama U.S. Army Base
ShareMichael Jackson visits a U.S. Army base, Camp Zama on March 10, 2007 (Photo by U.S. Army/Getty Images)
Michael Jackson In ‘Bad’
ShareMichael Jackson smiles as he steps of the a subway car during the filming of the long-form music video for his song 'Bad,' directed by Martin Scorcese, New York, New York, 1987. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Jackson Five
ShareSoul pop group the Jackson Five, comprising of the Jackson brothers (left to right) Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, Michael, Marlon and at the back, Randy. (Photo by William Milsom/Getty Images)
Portrait Of The Jacksons
SharePortrait of the Jacksons, early 1980s. From left, Jackie, Tito, Michael, Randy, and Marlon Jackson. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Michael Jackson Demonstration At Sony HQ
ShareMichael Jackson arrives for his demonstration outside Sony Music Entertainment Headquarters on July 6, 2002 (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
2006 MTV Video Music Awards Japan ? Awards Ceremony
ShareMichael Jackson poses with his award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)
Siegfried & Roy Pose With Darren Romeo
ShareWorld-renowned illusionists Siegfried & Roy pose with singer Michael Jackson 2002 (Photo courtesy of Siegfried & Roy/The Mirage via Getty Images)
Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: In this handout provided by Harrison Funk and Kevin Mazur, Michael Jackson's casket is brought out during public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MJ Memorial via Getty Images)
Michael Jackson Funeral
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: In this handout photo provided by Harrison Funk/The Jackson Family, Michael Jackson's casket rests during the funeral service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009 in Glendale, California. Jackson, 50, the king of pop, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harrison Funk/The Jackson Family via Getty Images)
Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Michael Jackson's casket is displayed at the public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Michael Jackson's casket is brought out during public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: The stage is set with an empty space for the casket at the Michael Jackson public memorial service at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
2002 MTV Video Music Awards – Show
ShareBritney Spears and Michael Jackson at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards - August 29, 2002. Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect.
American Bandstand’s 50th..A Celebration – Day 2
ShareMichael Jackson performs at the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration", April 20, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect.
GettyImages-708621
ShareMichael Jackson performs at the taping of 'American Bandstands 50th...A Celebration' television special honoring the music show April 20, 2002 (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XXVII: Dallas Cowboys v Buffalo Bills
ShareMichael Jackson performs during the Halftime show 1993. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Michael Jackson
ShareMichael Jackson sings at half-time during the Super Bowl X XVII game Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
Michael Jackson Arraignment on Child Molestation Charges
ShareMichael Jackson leaves the courthouse after his arraignment April 30, 2004. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
The World Music Awards – Show
ShareMichael Jackson performs on stage during the 2006 World Music Awards (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images)
Michael Jackson Visits Camp Zama U.S. Army Base
ShareMichael Jackson visits a U.S. Army base, Camp Zama on March 10, 2007 (Photo by U.S. Army/Getty Images)
Michael Jackson In ‘Bad’
ShareMichael Jackson smiles as he steps of the a subway car during the filming of the long-form music video for his song 'Bad,' directed by Martin Scorcese, New York, New York, 1987. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Jackson Five
ShareSoul pop group the Jackson Five, comprising of the Jackson brothers (left to right) Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, Michael, Marlon and at the back, Randy. (Photo by William Milsom/Getty Images)
Portrait Of The Jacksons
SharePortrait of the Jacksons, early 1980s. From left, Jackie, Tito, Michael, Randy, and Marlon Jackson. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Michael Jackson Demonstration At Sony HQ
ShareMichael Jackson arrives for his demonstration outside Sony Music Entertainment Headquarters on July 6, 2002 (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
2006 MTV Video Music Awards Japan ? Awards Ceremony
ShareMichael Jackson poses with his award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)
Siegfried & Roy Pose With Darren Romeo
ShareWorld-renowned illusionists Siegfried & Roy pose with singer Michael Jackson 2002 (Photo courtesy of Siegfried & Roy/The Mirage via Getty Images)
Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: In this handout provided by Harrison Funk and Kevin Mazur, Michael Jackson's casket is brought out during public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MJ Memorial via Getty Images)
Michael Jackson Funeral
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: In this handout photo provided by Harrison Funk/The Jackson Family, Michael Jackson's casket rests during the funeral service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009 in Glendale, California. Jackson, 50, the king of pop, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harrison Funk/The Jackson Family via Getty Images)
Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Michael Jackson's casket is displayed at the public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Memorial Service For Michael Jackson Draws Thousands Of Fans And Mourners
ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Michael Jackson's casket is brought out during public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
