Michael Jackson's Dad Joe Jackson Died And People Are Conflicted

Joe Jackson, the controversial father figure known as "Papa Joe" who allegedly abused Michael Jackson and his famous siblings on their way to superstardom, has died. He was 89. He died early this morning in Los Angeles, following a battle with cancer.

Michael Jackson's estate confirmed Joe Jackson's death in a statement.

"We had developed a warm relationship with Joe in recent years and will miss him tremendously," the statement said. "Joe was a strong man who acknowledged his own imperfections and heroically delivered his sons and daughters from the steel mills of Gary, Indiana, to worldwide pop superstardom."

The legendary talent manager seemed to acknowledge his poor health in a final tweet on Sunday.

Jackson family members and others who knew him paid tribute to the patriarch on social media.

Janet Jackson also sent love to her dad at the Radio Disney Awards last Friday.

Jackson was born in Arkansas, but spent time in Oakland and Chicago before ending up in East Chicago suburb Gary, Indiana. That's where the Jackson Five was born, literally and metaphorically. After their careers took off, Joe moved the family to California.

The family saw huge success both together, with Michael's solo career and with Janet Jackson's own independent career.

However, Joe was allegedly both physically and emotionally abusive, as he also pushed them professionally. Their sister La Toya also accused Joe of sexual abuse, before later recanting. Michael Jackson spoke about the abuse he experienced in a 1993 Oprah Winfrey interview.

"There’s been times when he’d come to see me, and I would get sick. I’d start to regurgitate," Michael said. In his biography Moonwalk, Jackson wrote, "We'd perform for him and he'd critique us. If you messed up, you got hit, sometimes with a belt, sometimes with a switch. My father was real strict with us — real strict."

Michael later spoke more favorably of Joe, quoted by the Associated Press as saying, "I have begun to see that even my father's harshness was a kind of love, an imperfect love, to be sure, but love nonetheless. He pushed me because he loved me."

Joe spoke about whipping Michael in a 2003 BBC interview. Despite the alleged abuse, the family has still shown love publicly for Joe.

Fans also tweeted support while wrestling with the man's legacy, acknowledging his contributions to R&B and pop music.

Jackson was named Best Entertainment Manager of All Time by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Michael Jackson died nine years and two days ago. Joe is survived by his wife Katherine and eight of his children, including the rest of the Jackson 5.

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