Joe Jackson passes away at 89 after battle with terminal cancer

Joe Jackson, famed music manager and father of 11, has passed away at 89.

Joe Jackson has passed away at 89 on Wednesday. The patriarch of the Jackson family music group had been battling terminal pancreatic cancer.

Jackson was born in 1928, married wife Katherine in 1949, and had 11 children. Of his children, Jackson is widely credited for launching the career of son Michael, along with Jackie, Marlon, Tito, and Jermaine, all to become the Jackson 5.

Joe Jackson was hospitalized on June 22 while in the final stages of terminal cancer. A source told Us Weekly that at that point “everyone in the family, from Paris to Janet, is planning to see him. He can still talk and communicate at this point. He’s very weak.”

Son Jermaine Jackson tweeted in early June about his father’s health.

Later this month, a somber post was shared by Joe Jackson’s Twitter account. However, Paris Jackson discounted it, saying in her own tweet: “This is a beautiful tweet. Though it upsets me to see whoever is in charge of this account taking advantage of it. My grandfather did not tweet this. I’m not sure if he’s ever used this account.”

Janet Jackson talked about her father’s impact on the world and music during her speech at the Radio Disney Music Awards in Hollywood on June 22, while being honored with the Impact Award.

"It’s beautiful, it’s humbling to be recognized as someone that has had a positive impact, but if I have been fortunate enough to impact others it is only because I, myself, have been greatly impacted by positive people in my life. My mother nourished me with the most extravagant love imaginable. My father, my incredible father, drove me to be the best that I can."

Joe’s passing comes close to the ninth anniversary of his son’s own death, June 25.

It was reported in May that Jackson was hospitalized following a check-up, and at the time he had a high fever. Jackson also suffered a stroke in Sao Paolo back in August 2015 while celebrating his birthday.

In 2002, Joe Jackson was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Best Entertainment Manager of All Time. Later in 2013, he spoke about the many rumors of his strict methods of raising his children, including physical discipline.

“I’m glad I was tough, because look what I came out with,” Jackson said. “I came out with some kids that everybody loved all over the world. And they treated everybody right.”

Our thoughts are with the Jackson family and their loved ones during this difficult time.