LAS VEGAS (CelebrityAccess) TMZ is reporting Joe Jackson has passed away.
Jackson, 89, the patriarch of the Jackson family died in Los Angeles on Wednesday at 3:30 A.M., according to TMZ. He had been hospitalized for terminal cancer and his family has been at his bedside constantly, according to the website.
Joe Jackson had been battling health problems for some time. He was hospitalized in 2016 after coming down with a high fever. His health was also fragile after a stroke and three heart attacks in 2015, and doctors had implanted a pacemaker, according to TMZ.
Jackson had 10 kids with wife Katherine, whom he had been married to for more than 60 years.
Jackson was first hospitalized June 22.
“No one knew what was going on – we shouldn’t have to beg, plead, and argue to see our own father, especially at a time like this,” Jermaine Jackson told the Daily Mail.
Joe Jackson played a key role in guiding his sons from challenging life situations in Gary, Ind. to international fame as the Jackson 5, helping to land the group a deal with Motown Records in Detroit and later launching his own label, Ivory Tower International Records.
As well, he underwrote the first professional steps of his daughter Janet, helping to launch her career with a record deal with A&M in 1982.
However, his relationship with Michael Jackson became increasingly strained as the younger Jackson developed a successful solo career and in 1984, Michael left the Jacksons (formerly the Jackson 5) amid allegations physical abuse against the elder Jackson.
Both Joe and Katherine have denied the allegations of abuse, but Joe conceded in an interview with the BBC that he “whipped” Michael “with a switch and a belt. I never beat him. You beat someone with a stick.”
