15 Years Later: The Definitive Timeline Of Michael Jackson's Death, The Propofol Tragedy, And His Children's Ongoing $600M Estate Battle

The death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, remains one of the most shocking and scrutinized events in modern music history, permanently etching the date into the global consciousness. As of today, December 12, 2025, the legacy of the King of Pop endures, but the circumstances surrounding his passing—an acute Propofol intoxication administered by his personal physician—continue to fuel discussions about accountability, celebrity isolation, and the immense pressure of his final comeback attempt, the 'This Is It' concert series. His passing at the age of 50 not only silenced a global icon but also triggered a decade-and-a-half of legal battles, including a major wrongful death lawsuit against concert promoter AEG Live and, most recently, ongoing disputes over his multi-million dollar estate involving his three children.

This article provides a definitive, updated look at the final hours of the legendary performer, the legal and medical fallout that followed, and the very latest developments concerning his children and the complex financial empire he left behind, offering a fresh perspective on a tragedy that is now more than 15 years in the past.

Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Complete Biography and Key Dates

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Dubbed the "King of Pop," his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure for four decades.

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• Full Name: Michael Joseph Jackson
• Born: August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, U.S.
• Parents: Joseph Walter Jackson and Katherine Esther Jackson
• Siblings: Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy, and Janet
• Career Start: Began performing professionally in 1964 with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5.
• Solo Career Debut: Released his first solo album, Got to Be There, in 1972.
• Groundbreaking Albums: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995).
• Signature Moves: The Moonwalk, the Anti-Gravity Lean.
• Marriages: Lisa Marie Presley (1994–1996) and Debbie Rowe (1996–1999).
• Children: Michael Joseph "Prince" Jackson Jr. (b. 1997), Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (b. 1998), and Prince Michael "Bigi" Jackson II (formerly Blanket) (b. 2002).
• Neverland Ranch: His famous property in Santa Barbara County, California, purchased in 1988.
• Death Date: June 25, 2009, in Los Angeles, California.
• Cause of Death: Acute Propofol Intoxication.

The Final Hours: A Tragic Quest for Sleep and The Propofol Overdose

The immediate cause of Michael Jackson's death was ruled by the Los Angeles County Coroner as acute Propofol intoxication, a powerful anesthetic typically used in hospital settings for surgical procedures. This tragic event occurred at his rented mansion in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, just weeks before his highly anticipated 50-show residency, 'This Is It,' was due to begin at the O2 Arena in London.

Jackson had been struggling with chronic insomnia, driven by the intense pressure of rehearsing for the comeback tour. His personal cardiologist, Dr. Conrad Murray, who was hired by the concert promoter AEG Live, had been administering Propofol to Jackson intravenously as a sleep aid—a practice considered a gross violation of medical standards.

On the morning of his death, after a sleepless night, Dr. Murray administered several sedatives, including Lorazepam and Lidocaine, before ultimately giving Jackson a dose of Propofol. Murray left the room briefly and returned to find Jackson not breathing. Despite attempts at CPR and a rush to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the King of Pop was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. Pacific Time.

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The autopsy confirmed Propofol as the primary drug, but also detected other sedatives in his system, underscoring the cocktail of medications Jackson was receiving. The death was officially classified as a homicide, setting the stage for a criminal trial that would captivate the world.

The Legal Fallout: Conrad Murray's Conviction and The AEG Live Verdict

The aftermath of Jackson's death quickly shifted into a high-profile legal battle focused on accountability. Dr. Conrad Murray was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The Trial of Dr. Conrad Murray

In 2011, Dr. Murray was tried and convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The prosecution successfully argued that Murray was criminally negligent in his care of Jackson, specifically for administering Propofol outside a clinical setting and failing to monitor him properly. Murray's defense team attempted to argue that Jackson had self-administered the fatal dose of Propofol, a claim the jury ultimately rejected. Murray was sentenced to four years in county jail, though he was released in 2013 after serving less than two years. In a recent development, Dr. Murray has reportedly opened a medical facility in San Juan, over 14 years after his conviction.

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The Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against AEG Live

The Jackson family filed a massive wrongful death lawsuit against AEG Live, the promoter of the 'This Is It' concert series. The family alleged that AEG Live was negligent in hiring and supervising Dr. Conrad Murray, creating a conflict of interest and pushing Jackson to the brink for the sake of the lucrative tour.

The trial, which lasted five months, was a media spectacle, revealing intimate details about Jackson's final days. Ultimately, in 2013, the Los Angeles jury sided with AEG Live. The jury concluded that while AEG Live did hire Murray, the company was not liable for Jackson's death, finding that Murray was competent to perform the services for which he was hired.

The Michael Jackson Estate and The 2025 Children's Battle

In the 15 years since his passing, the Michael Jackson Estate has become a financial powerhouse, generating hundreds of millions of dollars from music sales, licensing, and landmark deals, including the reported sale of his music catalog to Sony for $600 million. The primary beneficiaries of the estate's trust are his three children: Prince Jackson, Paris Jackson, and Bigi Jackson (formerly Blanket).

However, the management of the estate by executors John Branca and John McClain has been a continuous source of controversy and legal friction. As of late 2025, new legal documents and allegations have surfaced, indicating an ongoing battle between the Jackson children and the estate's administrators.

• The IRS Dispute: A significant portion of the children's inheritance has been tied up due to a long-running dispute between the estate and the IRS over the valuation of Jackson's assets at the time of his death. This battle has reportedly blocked the children from receiving their full trust funds.
• Paris Jackson's Allegations: Paris Jackson has reportedly leveled new charges against the estate executors, accusing them of prioritizing their own financial gain and attempting to block her access to crucial financial information.
• Bigi Jackson's Privacy: Prince Michael "Bigi" Jackson II, the youngest child, has largely maintained a private life, but his interests remain central to the ongoing trust negotiations.

The legacy of Michael Jackson is complex, encompassing unparalleled musical genius and a tragic end. While the world remembers the "This Is It" rehearsals as the final, vibrant performance of the King of Pop, the ongoing legal and financial battles serve as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities and profound consequences that followed the fateful date of June 25, 2009.