What Happened To Michael Jackson's 9 Siblings?
Rebbie Jackson
Born Maureen Reillette Jackson on May 29, 1950, in Gary, Indiana, Rebbie was Joe and Katherine Jackson’s eldest child. That gave her a different role from the start. Before the Jackson 5 became a Motown phenomenon, Rebbie was already helping hold the family together. She’s often been described as a second mother figure in the crowded Jackson household. While her younger brothers were pushed toward show business, Rebbie first chose a quieter path. Rebbie did enter entertainment, but on her own timeline. She performed with her siblings in Las Vegas in the 1970s. She also appeared on the CBS variety series “The Jacksons,” which premiered in 1976. Her debut album, “Centipede,” didn’t arrive until 1984, when she was 34. The Michael-written title track became her signature hit.
Jackie Jackson
Jackie Jackson’s story is less about taking center stage than helping hold the stage together. Born Sigmund Esco Jackson on May 4, 1951, Jackie was the oldest Jackson brother. The earliest version of the group started with Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine. Marlon and Michael joined later, turning the act into the Jackson 5. Jackie was never the flashiest Jackson, but he was crucial nonetheless, possessing the highest and lightest natural singing voice among the brothers. He contributed lead parts to early hits like “I Want You Back” and “ABC.” After the group left Motown for CBS/Epic in 1976, they became The Jacksons. A knee injury kept him from part of the Victory Tour. Still, he returned for the final Los Angeles shows in December 1984.
Tito Jackson
The life of the man born Toriano Adaryll Jackson can be traced through the guitar: the instrument that helped launch the family, and later gave him a voice of his own. As a child, he was caught playing Joe Jackson’s guitar after breaking a string. Tito fixed it, played for his father, and impressed him. Soon, Joe bought him his own guitar. During the Motown years, he reportedly wasn’t allowed to play guitar on the group’s recordings. So the brother known as the guitarist didn’t truly get heard on record until after the group left Motown in 1976. Later, he leaned into blues and built a more individual identity. Tito died on September 15, 2024, in Gallup, New Mexico, after suffering a heart attack during a road trip.
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine was originally the lead singer of the early Jackson Brothers. Then Michael emerged as the Jackson 5’s frontman. When the Jackson 5 decided to leave Motown and sign with Epic in 1975, Jermaine stayed behind at Motown — he had married Hazel Gordy, daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Randy replaced him, and the group became The Jacksons. Jermaine still found solo success. His 1972 cover of “Daddy’s Home” sold over a million copies. He rejoined his brothers for “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” in 1983, then took part in the “Victory” era. In later years, he remained one of the most visible Jackson siblings. He was also the brother who announced Michael’s death to the press at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on June 25, 2009.
La Toya Jackson
Born La Toya Yvonne Jackson on May 29, 1956, she shared a birthday with Rebbie, exactly six years apart. As a child, La Toya was shy, religious, and close to Michael. Her solo career began in 1980. But even that came with a fight over identity. La Toya wanted to be billed simply as “La Toya.” Joe Jackson insisted she use the family name. Her biggest U.S. Hot 100 hit was “Heart Don’t Lie,” which peaked at number 56 in 1984. But her public image later became tied to her tumultuous marriage to manager Jack Gordon. After leaving Gordon and later divorcing him in 1997, La Toya spent years rebuilding. She did interviews, reality TV, music, and released her 2011 memoir and EP “Starting Over.”
Marlon Jackson & Brandon Jackson
Marlon arrived as a twin. His brother, Brandon David Jackson, died the next day, on March 13, 1957. That loss gave his bond with Michael extra weight. He reportedly saw Michael as a kind of substitute for the twin brother he lost. Marlon joined the family group in 1964, along with Michael. Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine had already started performing. In the Jackson 5, Marlon sang background vocals, along with playing conga and tambourine. After the group’s biggest years, he released one solo album, “Baby Tonight,” in 1987. It reached number 22 on the U.S. Top R&B Albums chart. At Michael’s public memorial on July 7, 2009, Marlon delivered one of the day’s most emotional moments. He told Michael to give “my twin brother, Brandon, a hug for me.”
Randy Jackson
Randy was only three when the Jackson 5 first formed, too young for the original Motown lineup. But he still grew up inside the family machine. His first live appearance with his brothers came in 1971, during a Christmas show for blind children. By 1972, he was touring with them, mainly on congas and other instruments. Randy officially joined after the brothers left Motown and Jermaine stayed behind. His biggest creative contribution came early: at just 16, he co-wrote “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” with Michael. Randy also faced a major setback. On March 3, 1980, he was seriously injured in a car crash in Hollywood. His later life also included serious legal and financial problems, including a 1991 battery case and a 1996 bankruptcy filing.
Janet Jackson
It seems like the youngest Jackson was always meant for something bigger. After releasing two albums under Joe Jackson’s supervision, Janet ended her business relationship with her family. That independence led to “Control,” released in February 1986 with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. “Control” went to number one on the Billboard 200 and produced major singles like “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” “Nasty,” “Control,” and “When I Think of You.” Then “Rhythm Nation 1814,” released in 1989, expanded her reach. From there, Janet became one of the defining pop artists of the 1990s and early 2000s. But the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show controversy badly damaged her career momentum. Nevertheless, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, and her Together Again Tour later became the highest-grossing tour of her career.
Which Jackson sibling do you think has the most fascinating journey? And who deserves a deeper dive of their own? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
