TMZ: Michael Jackson Dead At Age 50
Pop Star Reportedly Suffered Cardiac Arrest, Was Rushed To UCLA Medical Center
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―-
Click to enlarge - Michael Jackson is shown here delivering a speech during "Fan Appreciation Day" in Tokyo on March 9, 2007.
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King of Pop Michael Jackson died Thursday at a Los Angeles hospital where he was rushed around 1 p.m. PT by paramedics, according to celebrity Web site
TMZ.
Jackson had reportedly suffered cardiac arrest.
Capt. Steve Ruda told the
Los Angeles Timesearlier Thursday that paramedics responded to a call at Jackson's home around 12:26 p.m. Ruda said Jackson was not breathing when they arrived.
Jackson had announced months ago that he would be doing a comeback tour, but his representatives announced in May that the the star would postpone several of his London shows scheduled for this summer.
Jackson, who has sold more than 750 million albums and won 13 Grammys, hasn't undertaken a a major tour since 1997 or released an album of new material since 2001.
The 50-year-old singer has been seen in public infrequently since he was acquitted of child molestation in California in 2005. He has struggled to pay his debts, and was forced last year to give up the deed to Neverland, his 2,500-acre ranch and miniature amusement park in California.
On May 20, Jackson's representatives announced several postponments to his London comeback shows scheduled for this summer. The opening night at the 02 Arena had been set for July 8 but was be moved back to July 13, promoters said. In addition, other shows scheduled for July were moved to 2010.