Michael Jackson: Humanitarian

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There is no denying that Michael Jackson’s music left an indelible mark on several generations, not to mention the music industry as a whole. What is often overlooked amid the scandals and controversies that surrounded his life however, is the positive impact Michael Jackson had on our world. So let’s recap.

In 1984 while filming a commercial for PepsiCola, Jackson’s hair was accidentally set on fire. He donated his entire $1.5 million settlement from the lawsuit which was settled out of court to the “Michael Jackson Burn Center”. Then in 1985, with Lionel Ritchie, he wrote the single “We Are the World” to help the poor in Africa and the US.

But perhaps his greatest contribution was the Heal the World Foundation, which he founded in 1992. Through the foundation, millions of dollars have been raised which airlifted supplies to Sarajevo and paid for a Hungarian child’s badly needed liver transplant, among other things.

In addition to his work with the charity, Michael Jackson donated to a number of charities himself. These charities include AIDS Project LA, the American Cancer Society, Angel Food, Camp Ronald MacDonald, Dreamstreet Kids, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, and Dreams Come True Charity, among others.

One can only hope once the speculation has died down, his charity work will come out into the open, and that his family and fans will continue his greatest work.