Ten children. One two-bedroom house in Gary, Indiana. Two parents with big dreams and a strict father with a plan. That’s where it all started for the most famous musical family in American history.
Most people know Michael Jackson — the King of Pop, the moonwalker, the man behind Thriller. But Michael didn’t arrive fully formed. He grew up surrounded by nine siblings, several of whom became stars in their own right. The Jackson family produced one of music’s greatest boy bands, multiple solo careers, and a cultural legacy that still echoes today.
This is the full story of all of Michael’s brothers and sisters — who they are, what they built, and where they are now.
The Jackson Family: A Quick Overview
Before getting into each sibling, here’s the full family at a glance.
| Name | Born | Status | Known For |
| Rebbie Jackson | May 29, 1950 | Alive | Solo music career, Centipede |
| Jackie Jackson | May 4, 1951 | Alive | Jackson 5 founding member |
| Tito Jackson | Oct 15, 1953 | Died Sep 15, 2024 | Jackson 5, solo blues career |
| Jermaine Jackson | Dec 11, 1954 | Alive | Jackson 5 lead singer, solo career |
| La Toya Jackson | May 29, 1956 | Alive | Solo music, reality TV, author |
| Marlon Jackson | Mar 12, 1957 | Alive | Jackson 5, media ventures |
| Brandon Jackson | Mar 12, 1957 | Died at birth | Marlon’s twin |
| Michael Jackson | Aug 29, 1958 | Died Jun 25, 2009 | King of Pop |
| Randy Jackson | Oct 29, 1961 | Alive | Jackson 5, business ventures |
| Janet Jackson | May 16, 1966 | Alive | Global pop icon |
| Joh’Vonnie Jackson | Aug 30, 1974 | Alive | Half-sister (Joe’s affair) |
Parents: Joe Jackson (1928–2018) and Katherine Jackson (born 1930, now 95)
Where It All Started: Gary, Indiana
Joe and Katherine Jackson raised their family in a small house on Jackson Street — yes, that was actually the street name — in Gary, Indiana. Ten children in a two-bedroom home. Money was tight.
Joe worked as a crane operator at US Steel by day and played guitar in a local blues band called the Falcons at night. He was a strict man. Demanding. Sometimes frightening. But he also recognised something early: his kids had talent, and he was going to use it.
Katherine was the softer force. She played piano and clarinet and had dreamed of her own music career. She raised her children in the Jehovah’s Witness faith and kept the household grounded while Joe kept the pressure on.
The family eventually moved to a mansion in Encino, California, after the Jackson 5’s success exploded. But those Gary years shaped everyone. Including Michael.
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Rebbie Jackson — The Eldest Who Did It Her Own Way
Maureen Reillette Jackson, known as Rebbie, was born on May 29, 1950. She’s the eldest of all the Michael Jackson Siblings and, in some ways, the most independent.
She didn’t join her brothers on stage until the 1970s, years after the Jackson 5 had already become famous. Her father initially opposed her career entirely — particularly her marriage. At just 18, she wed her childhood sweetheart Nathaniel Brown in 1968, against Joe’s wishes. They stayed married until Nathaniel’s death in 2013. Together they had three children, including musician Austin Brown.
Rebbie eventually launched her solo career in 1984 with the album Centipede. The title track — written by Michael — hit the top of the Billboard R&B chart. She followed it with two more albums, Reaction (1986) and R U Tuff Enuff (1988). None matched that first success, but she’d already proven she could stand on her own.
She’s now 75 years old and largely out of the public eye. She’s believed to live quietly in the US, occasionally mentioned in family news but rarely seeking media attention herself.
Jackie Jackson — a Founding Member and the Eldest Brother
Sigmund Esco Jackson, known as Jackie, was born on May 4, 1951. He was the first of Joe’s sons to show real musical promise and became a founding member of what would become the Jackson 5.
Jackie’s smooth vocals helped define the group’s early sound. When the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, he was right there with his brothers to accept the honour.
His solo career was modest by comparison. He released his debut album in 1973 and a follow-up in 1989, but neither generated the commercial traction of his siblings’ solo work. Behind the scenes, he co-wrote songs for sisters Rebbie and La Toya, and produced film soundtracks in the 1980s.
After Tito Jackson’s death in September 2024, Jackie has continued to represent the family name. He’s 73 years old now and still performs occasionally with the surviving Jacksons.
Tito Jackson — The Quiet Backbone of the Band
On October 15, 1953, Toriano Adaryll Jackson—always referred to as Tito—was born. He was actually the one who accidentally sparked the family’s musical career. He’d secretly been playing Joe’s guitar, and when Joe caught him, instead of punishing him, he put him to work — forming a band with Jackie and Jermaine.
That band grew into the Jackson 5. Tito’s guitar work was the group’s instrumental foundation, even if he rarely shared the spotlight with Jermaine and Michael.
After the group era ended, Tito built a respected solo career in blues and funk music. He toured with the BB King Blues Band in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and released two solo albums — Tito Time (2016) and Under Your Spell (2021).
He was still performing with his brothers as part of The Jacksons right up until his death. On September 15, 2024, Tito died from a heart attack at the age of 70. He was in Bavaria, Germany, just days before the group was scheduled to perform their only German concert. His three sons — Taj, Taryll, and TJ — confirmed his passing. The Jackson family and the music world were heartbroken.
Jermaine Jackson — The First Lead Voice
On December 11, 1954, Jermaine LaJaune Jackson was born. Before Michael became the face of the Jackson 5, it was Jermaine who held the microphone. He was the original lead singer — charismatic, polished, and comfortable on stage.
Everything shifted when Michael’s voice and talent grew undeniable. Jermaine eventually stepped back into a supporting role, and when the group left Motown for CBS Records in 1976, Jermaine stayed behind. He’d married Hazel Gordy — daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy — and the conflict of interest was too great. His brother Randy replaced him.
He pursued a solo career with moderate success. His 1980 song Let’s Get Serious was a significant R&B hit. Over the decades he released multiple albums, appeared on reality TV, and became one of the family’s most vocal public spokesmen — particularly after Michael’s death in 2009.
Jermaine has faced financial difficulties in recent years. Reports suggest he has received financial support through Katherine Jackson’s share of Michael’s estate. His net worth is estimated at around $1.5 million — a fraction of what one might expect. He’s 71 years old and recently announced plans to create a Jackson Museum to honour Michael and the family’s legacy.
La Toya Jackson — The Complicated Middle Sister
La Toya Yvonne Jackson was born on May 29, 1956 — the same birthday as her oldest sister Rebbie. She’s been one of the family’s most consistently controversial figures, largely because of the public statements she made about Michael during his most difficult years.
She launched her music career in 1980 with a self-titled debut album. Several more albums followed through the 1980s, with Heart Don’t Lie among her bigger moments. She also posed for Playboy — twice — which caused significant family tension.
In the 1990s, La Toya was managed by her then-husband Jack Gordon, a controlling relationship she later described as abusive. During this period, she made public allegations against Michael that she later retracted, saying she had been manipulated into making those statements. Her relationship with Michael was strained for years, though they reconciled before his death.
She’s since rebuilt her career through reality TV — Celebrity Apprentice, Armed & Famous, and her own OWN series Life with La Toya. She co-founded a production company, Ja-Tail Enterprises, with business partner Jeffré Phillips. She’s also a two-time New York Times bestselling author.
Her net worth is estimated at around $1 million — though some sources place it higher. She’s 69 years old and remains active in entertainment and business.
Marlon Jackson — The Twin Who Kept Going
Marlon David Jackson was born on March 12, 1957, with a twin brother named Brandon. Brandon died within hours of being born — a loss the family rarely discussed publicly but one that clearly affected Marlon throughout his life.
As a Jackson 5 member, Marlon started as a percussionist and dancer before taking on more vocal responsibilities when Jermaine left the group. He and Michael were reportedly the closest siblings as children — partners in pranks, inseparable in their younger years. In a 2017 interview, Marlon recalled them putting itching powder on bald men’s heads and setting water buckets above doors. Michael apparently had a mischievous side few people saw.
Don’t Go is an R&B song from Marlon’s 1987 solo album, Baby Tonight. He never released another solo record.
His business life has been more active. In 1999, he co-founded the Major Broadcasting Cable Network — the only African American-owned cable TV network in the US at the time. His estimated net worth today sits around just $100,000, which reflects how business fortunes in the family have varied wildly.
He’s 68 years old and still performs with The Jacksons when they tour.
Brandon Jackson — The Brother Nobody Talks About
Most people don’t know Michael had a brother named Brandon. Born alongside Marlon on March 12, 1957, Brandon died shortly after birth. He’s rarely mentioned in the family’s public history, but he existed — the ninth of Joe and Katherine’s children, briefly.
Randy Jackson — The Youngest Brother
Steven Randall Jackson — Randy — was born on October 29, 1961. He was too young to be part of the original Jackson 5 lineup, but by 1971 he was already performing with them, and by 1976 he officially replaced Jermaine when the group rebranded as The Jacksons.
Randy was musically gifted across multiple instruments. He formed Randy & The Gypsys in the late 1980s, releasing a self-titled album in 1989. After the group dissolved, he moved into music business ventures — co-founding Total Multi-Media Inc. in 1990, becoming president of Modern Records in 1998, and co-founding Rhythm Nation Records with Janet in 2018.
He’s 64 years old now and keeps one of the lower profiles among the brothers. Note: this is not the same Randy Jackson who appeared as a judge on American Idol — that’s a different person entirely, an unrelated American bassist and producer.
Janet Jackson — The One Who Became a Legend
Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966 — the youngest of all ten Jackson children and, by almost any measure, the second most successful member of the family.
She started young. She appeared on The Jacksons variety show as a child, then landed acting roles on Good Times, Diff’rent Strokes, and Fame as a teenager. But her music career didn’t truly explode until 1986, when she released Control — an album she made on her own terms, with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, without her father’s involvement. It announced her as an independent force.
Then came Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) — one of the most important pop albums of the 20th century. Politically charged, musically ambitious, visually groundbreaking. It produced seven top five singles. Seven. From one album.
What followed was decades of dominance — janet. (1993), The Velvet Rope (1997), All for You (2001), and more. She sold over 100 million records worldwide. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
Her personal life has been complex. She married singer James DeBarge briefly in 1984 (annulled). She later had a long marriage to René Elizondo Jr. (1991–2000) and then married Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana in 2012. In January 2017, she gave birth to her son Eissa Al Mana — at age 50. They separated shortly after.
In 2025, she performed at the American Music Awards for the first time in seven years and launched a Las Vegas residency. In early 2026, she announced a concert tour of Japan. At 59 years old, she’s not slowing down.
Her net worth is estimated at $180–190 million.
Joh’Vonnie Jackson — The Half-Sister Left Out
There’s one more sibling in this story, and her experience has been painful. Joh’Vonnie Jackson was born on August 30, 1974 — the daughter of Joe Jackson and a woman named Cheryl Terrell, the product of an extramarital affair.
She has publicly said she was “hidden away” by the family. In a 2018 Daily Mail interview, she described being around her half-siblings but never truly accepted. Calls that didn’t come. Relationships that stayed surface-level. She said it was “really hurtful” and that she still felt rejected.
It’s an uncomfortable thread in the Jackson story. The family’s public image was one of unity. It was more intricate behind the scenes.
The Family’s Relationship With Joe Jackson
No story about the Jackson siblings is complete without confronting Joe Jackson. He was the architect of their careers — and the source of significant trauma.
In 1993, Michael publicly accused his father of physical and emotional abuse during childhood. Some siblings supported the claim. Others denied it. Joe’s disciplinary methods were, by any modern standard, extreme. But several of the siblings have also credited him with their success.
Joe died on June 27, 2018, aged 89. His legacy within the family is genuinely mixed.
What the Siblings Are Doing Now
As of 2026, seven siblings are still alive: Rebbie, Jackie, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy, and Janet. Michael died in 2009. Tito died in 2024.
Janet is the most active — performing in Las Vegas, announcing a Japan tour, and releasing new music. Jermaine is working on the Jackson Museum project. La Toya is still in business and entertainment. The others maintain lower public profiles, appearing occasionally when The Jacksons perform.
The family’s total recorded output across all members includes 27 US number one hits. The Jackson 5 is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Michael was inducted twice — once with the group, once as a solo artist. Janet joined in 2019.
Net Worth Comparison
| Sibling | Estimated Net Worth |
| Janet Jackson | $180–190 million |
| Jermaine Jackson | ~$1.5 million |
| La Toya Jackson | ~$1 million |
| Jackie Jackson | Modest (not publicly confirmed) |
| Marlon Jackson | ~$100,000 |
| Randy Jackson | Not publicly confirmed |
| Rebbie Jackson | Not publicly confirmed |
The gap between Janet and her siblings is striking. A reminder that fame isn’t evenly distributed, even within the same family.
The Jackson story is extraordinary — and messy. Fame arrived fast, discipline was harsh, money flowed unevenly, and personal struggles played out in public. But across nine siblings and several decades, they produced music that genuinely changed the world. Michael was the brightest star. But he didn’t shine alone.
Conclusions
The story of Michael Jackson and his siblings is more than just a story of fame. It is its own family adventure built through skill, discipline, stress and ambition. From a small home booth in Gary, Indiana to international acclaim, the Jackson brothers created a legacy that often changed the song. While Michael was the most famous figure, each sibling played a role in shaping the happiness and unity of the family.
The special thing is how special their paths have become. Some, like Janet Jackson, went on to become global superstars live, while others chose quieter lives or worked behind the scenes. Their research reiterates the opportunities and challenges associated with growing in any high-pressure environment. Reputation contributed to success, and also brought private struggles, complicated relationships, and public scrutiny.
At Stop, Jackson’s legacy to his family isn’t usually sold statistics or winning awards. There is often influence, flexibility and influence that spans generations. Their song continues to build the company, and their story remains an active example of how to leave a long-lasting mark on the global lifestyle.
FAQs
1. How many siblings did Michael Jackson have?
Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Brandon (who passed away at birth), Randy, and Janet were Michael’s nine siblings. He also had a half-sister, Joh’Vonnie, from his father’s extramarital affair.
2. Which of Michael Jackson’s siblings are still alive?
As of 2026, seven siblings are alive: Rebbie, Jackie, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy, and Janet. Michael died in June 2009, and Tito died in September 2024.
3. Who was the most successful Jackson sibling besides Michael?
Janet Jackson is widely considered the second most successful Jackson. She’s sold over 100 million records, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, and has a net worth of approximately $180–190 million.
4. Were all of Michael’s siblings in the Jackson 5?
No. The original Jackson 5 consisted of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. Randy joined later and replaced Jermaine in 1976. Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet were not members of the group.
5. What happened to Tito Jackson?
Tito Jackson died on September 15, 2024, from a heart attack. He was 70 years old and had been scheduled to perform with The Jacksons in Germany just days later.
6. Did Michael Jackson’s siblings have solo careers?
Yes — all of them released music independently. Janet had the most successful solo career. Jermaine had notable R&B hits. La Toya, Rebbie, Jackie, Marlon, and Randy all released solo albums with varying commercial success.
7. Who is Joh’Vonnie Jackson?
Joh’Vonnie is Michael Jackson’s half-sister, born in 1974 from an affair between Joe Jackson and Cheryl Terrell. She has spoken publicly about feeling excluded and rejected by the main Jackson family.
8. How did the Jackson family start their music career?
Joe Jackson discovered his sons were secretly playing his guitar and decided to form a band. He started with Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine, then added Marlon and Michael. The group debuted at the Apollo Theater in 1967, signed with Steeltown Records, and then moved to Motown in 1969 — launching one of the most successful runs in pop history.
9. Who were Michael Jackson’s parents?
His parents were Joe Jackson (1928–2018), a former boxer who became the family’s manager, and Katherine Jackson (born 1930), a musician and Jehovah’s Witness who is still alive at 95.
10. What is Janet Jackson doing in 2026?
Janet is actively performing. She launched a Las Vegas residency in December 2024, won the ICON Award at the 2025 American Music Awards, and announced a Japan concert tour for June 2026. She also signed a global publishing deal with Believe Music in early 2026.
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