The Jackson family tree centers on patriarch Joe Jackson and matriarch Katherine Jackson, whose nine children include global pop icon Michael Jackson (1958–2009) and his sister Janet Jackson. The family’s musical dynasty began with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s and expanded through solo careers, marriages, and a third generation of performers.
Background: The Jackson Family of Gary, Indiana
Joe Jackson (1928–2018) and Katherine Scruse (born 1930) married in 1949 and settled in Gary, Indiana. Joe worked in a steel mill while Katherine raised their children. The family was deeply rooted in Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, which influenced their upbringing. In the mid-1960s, Joe organized his sons into a singing group, initially called the Jackson Brothers, which later became the Jackson 5. The family moved to Los Angeles in 1969 after signing with Motown Records.
The Nine Siblings: Birth Order and Roles
The Jackson siblings, in order of birth, are:
- Rebbie (born 1950) – the eldest, pursued a solo R&B career in the 1980s.
- Jackie (born 1951) – a member of the Jackson 5, later a solo artist.
- Tito (born 1953) – guitarist of the Jackson 5, father of 3T members.
- Jermaine (born 1954) – bassist and co-lead vocalist, stayed with Motown when brothers left.
- La Toya (born 1956) – singer and television personality.
- Marlon (born 1957) – member of the Jackson 5, later a background vocalist.
- Michael (1958–2009) – the “King of Pop,” lead singer of the Jackson 5, solo superstar.
- Randy (born 1961) – joined the family group in the 1970s, played multiple instruments.
- Janet (born 1966) – youngest, a hugely successful solo artist in her own right.
All nine siblings survived into adulthood. The family’s musical success is often attributed to Joe’s strict management, though his methods have been described as harsh in later accounts.
Michael Jackson’s Immediate Family
Michael Jackson married twice. His first marriage was to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, from 1994 to 1996; they had no children. His second marriage was to Debbie Rowe, a dermatology nurse, from 1996 to 1999. They had two children:
- Michael Joseph “Prince” Jackson Jr. (born 1997)
- Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (born 1998)
Michael’s third child, Prince Michael “Blanket” Jackson II (born 2002), was born via surrogacy; his biological mother is not publicly identified. After Michael’s death in 2009, Katherine Jackson was granted permanent custody of the three children, with Tito’s son TJ Jackson serving as co-guardian since 2012.
The Jackson 5 and the Family’s Musical Legacy
The Jackson 5 originally consisted of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. They released hit singles like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “The Love You Save” on Motown. In 1976, the group left Motown for Epic Records and rebranded as the Jacksons, with Randy replacing Jermaine. The brothers continued to record and tour through the 1980s. Michael’s solo career, beginning with 1979’s Off the Wall and culminating in 1982’s Thriller, made him a global icon. Janet Jackson’s 1986 album Control established her as a major pop and R&B star.
Third Generation: The Next Jackson Performers
Several of Michael’s nieces and nephews have continued the family’s musical tradition:
- 3T – a vocal group formed by Tito’s sons Taj, Taryll, and TJ in the 1990s.
- Jermaine’s children – Jermaine Jr., Jeremy, and Jaafar have performed in various projects; Jaafar played Michael in the 2025 biopic Michael.
- Prince and Paris Jackson – both have pursued entertainment careers; Paris is a model and singer-songwriter.
- Bigi (Blanket) Jackson – has appeared at family events but is not publicly active in music.
The family’s influence extends beyond music into reality television, with shows like The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty (2009).
Common Misconceptions About the Family Tree
One frequent mistake is thinking that Michael and Janet were the only performers. In fact, all nine siblings had some musical involvement. Another misconception is that Lisa Marie Presley was the mother of Michael’s children; she was not. Also, some fans confuse the Jackson 5 with the Jacksons, but the latter was the group after the Motown era. Finally, the family is sometimes said to have a tenth child, but there were only nine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Michael Jackson’s parents?
His parents are Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson (née Scruse). They married in 1949 and had nine children.
How many children did Michael Jackson have?
He had three children: Prince, Paris, and Bigi (Blanket). Prince and Paris are from his marriage to Debbie Rowe; Bigi was born via surrogacy.
Who are Michael Jackson’s siblings?
He had eight siblings: Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy, and Janet. All are alive as of 2025.
Are the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons the same group?
No. The Jackson 5 was the original Motown group with five brothers. After leaving Motown in 1976, they became the Jacksons, with Randy replacing Jermaine.
Who is the mother of Michael Jackson’s children?
Debbie Rowe is the biological mother of Prince and Paris. The surrogate mother of Bigi has never been publicly named.
Who has custody of Michael Jackson’s children now?
Katherine Jackson had permanent custody until 2012, when she stepped back due to health issues. TJ Jackson (Tito’s son) has been co-guardian since then.
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