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The Humanitarian
Oxford languages defines a HUMANITARIAN as someone that is “concerned with, or seeking to promote human welfare” and after researching Michael Jackson’s life for more than 3 decades, I found no word that was more fitting for him than “Humanitarian.”
In the year 2000, he was listed into the Guinness book of world records for breaking the world record for the “Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star.“ An achievement that was accomplished by a lifetime of tireless dedication, yet a little-known fact that has been overshadowed by years of fiction.
Rising from humble beginnings, the importance of kindness and giving back to one’s community was a value instilled in Michael Jackson and his siblings at a very young age by their parents, whilst growing up in Gary, Indiana in the 1960’s.
As his profile rose to becoming the world’s most successful entertainer in the 1980’s, so too, did Michael Jackson’s humanitarian endeavors.
He toured the world many times over and visited hospitals, orphanages and schools in the poorest communities more often than performing concerts. As corporate sponsors were offering millions of dollars to Michael for his time, he opted instead to spend his time visiting these hospitals, orphanages and schools and from accounts from those that were there at the time, he patiently and authentically took his time to learn about the illnesses, lifted spirits and made numerous donations, both monetary, toys and gifts and initiated renovations and upgrades to many of the poorer facilities.
In the 1990’s Michael Jackson created the “Heal the World Foundation.”
The purpose of the charity was to provide medicine to children and fight world hunger, homelessness, child exploitation and abuse all around the world.
While Michael continued to spend his time in the 1990’s touring the world, visiting hospitals, orphanages and schools, his Heal the world foundation was also working to provide food, medicines and essential survival items to the poorest and war-torn areas of the world that he couldn’t visit personally.
At the same time, Michael’s home; Neverland Valley Ranch was also being utilized by many charities and underprivileged groups, both when he was home and when he was away. Neverland staff have spoken of many, many not-for-profit groups and underprivileged families visiting the grounds and enjoying free rides, feasts and barbeques, even more often than Michael himself.
Evidence of Michael Jackson’s humanitarian endeavors are not just isolated to charity donations, hospital, orphanage and school visits, exporting of food and essential items to poor and war-torn countries or even opening the gates to his home to anyone in need.
Within my thirty years of research, I found countless stories of general acts of kindness extended to everyone that Michael came into contact with. This wasn’t a phase and was ingrained in to Michael’s values throughout his life, right up until his passing.
Although some reports might suggest that Michael Jackson donated over $500 million to charities during his lifetime, I am more inclined to estimate his monetary donations to be well over $5billion, with 20% of his posthumous earnings still going to charity to this day.
But what’s more important is the intangible effects Michael’s humanitarian efforts had on the world.
The hope he gave to the terminally ill, so they would hang on just a little longer.
The smiles he gave to seniors and soldiers and guests that enjoyed his Neverland ranch.
The joy in a sick or underprivileged child’s eyes, when the biggest star in the world held their hand and listened to their story.
Many of Michael’s acts of humanitarianism will never be known publicly, as he never publicized the acts in the belief that they were worth more if done in private, but I have done my best to document and will continue to document these acts in my book and podcast “Humanitarian – The Real Michael Jackson.”
– Paul Dwyer
HumanitarianMJ.com