King of Pop - Michael Jackson has left the World

Principal dates in the life of pop star Michael Jackson, who died in Los Angeles on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Pop icon Michael Jackson's death, was confirmed by a Los Angeles County Coroner's office spokesman, today.

Lieutenant Fred Corral said Jackson, 50, was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm (2126 GMT) local time after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest. According to him, medics administered CPR en-route to L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai hospital to try and keep him alive, but he was totally unresponsive.After just a few hours in a coma, Jackson died as his family members, including his mother and brothers, rushed to be at his bedside.

Pop legend Michael Jackson is dead.

Jackson was preparing to make a keenly anticipated concert comeback in London, his first series of shows in more than a decade and the first since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges.

However those concerts -- billed as the "final curtain" -- had been thrown into doubt after Jackson pushed back the opening dates last month. Organizers of the concerts at the time stressed the delay was not linked to Jackson's health.

In a press conference from the United States broadcast over the Internet, AEG Live president Randy Phillips was asked about Jackson's health and said: "I would trade my body for his tomorrow. He's in fantastic shape."

While Jackson reigned as the "King of Pop" in the 1980s, his once-stellar career had been overshadowed by his colourful public behaviour, his startling physical transformation and multiple allegations of child abuse.

August 29, 1958: Born in Gary, Indiana.

August 1962: Singing debut with his brothers, The Jackson Five.

March 1969: First Jackson Five contract with Tamla Motown, Detroit's black-owned record label. Michael's voice propels the group onto the hit parade with "ABC" and "I'll Be There".

1970: Launch of solo career alongside that of the Jackson Five.

August 1979: Release of "Off The Wall" album, produced by Quincy Jones, which sold 11 million copies.

December 1982: release of "Thriller" album, whose seven hits included "Billie Jean" and "Beat It," pushing sales to 50 million copies worldwide.

1984: Jackson's face gets burnt during filming for a Pepsi ad.

1985: Buys ATV Music -- a company with rights to John Lennon and Paul McCartney songs -- for 47.5 million dollars.

1985: Jackson writes "We Are The World," which benefited the fight against hunger in Africa.

1987: Release of "Bad," which sold 26 million copies and marked the end of his collaboration with Quincy Jones.

1988: His autobiography "Moonwalk" comes out.

1990: Michael Jackson is seen for the first time wearing a surgical mask in public/

1992: Release of "Dangerous," which sold 22 million copies/

August 1993: A father accuses Jackson of molesting his 13-year-old son, but settles out of court/

May 1994: February 1996: marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis/

June 1995: Release of "History" album/

November 1996-October 1999: Marriage to Debbie Rowe, a 37-year-old nurse with whom he has two children, Prince Michael and Paris Michael Katherine
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October 2001: Release of "Invincible".

July 2002: Jackson accuses record labels of exploiting artists, especially African-Americans.

November 19, 2002: Scandal after Jackson dangles his third son, nine-month-old Prince Michael II, from a Berlin hotel balcony.

January 31, 2003: Sotheby's auction house sues for non-payment of 1.7 million dollars for two paintings.

February 3: In documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" broadcast on ITV, Jackson claims never to have abused a child, merely to have shared his bed.

February: The singer's manager brings a 13-million-dollar lawsuit for back salary, which is settled out of court in June.

November 18: Police raid Jackson's Neverland ranch in California as "Number Ones" album is released.

November 19: Warrant issued for Jackson's arrest on several counts of child molestation.

November 20: Jackson is arrested and handcuffed after surrendering to police, held briefly then released on bail.

December 18: Michael Jackson is formally charged with child molestation.

January 16, 2004: Jackson pleads not guilty during his first appearance amid a media circus.

January 31, 2005: Michael Jackson trial begins with jury selection.

February 28, 2005: Opening arguments begin in trial.

June 4, 2005: Jurors begin considering their verdict.

June 13, 2005: Jackson acquitted on all charges against him.

March 5, 2009: Jackson announces series of comeback concerts in London -- billed as the "final curtain" -- his first major shows for more than a decade.

May 20, 2009: Jackson delays comeback shows. Concert organizers say singer's health is "fantastic".

June 25, 2009: Jackson dies in Los Angeles.