Michael Jackson

== Philanthropy and humanitarian work ==
{{Main|Philanthropy of Michael Jackson}}
[[File:President_Ronald_Reagan_Hosts_Michael_Jackson_at_the_White_House.ogv|thumb|[[President Ronald Reagan]] rewarding Jackson in 1984 for his support of alcohol and drug abuse charities]]
Jackson is widely regarded as having been a prolific philanthropist and humanitarian.<ref name="Daunt">Tina Daunt, "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jul-08-et-cause8-story.html Giving in spirit and deed]", ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' (July 8, 2009), p. D6.</ref><ref name="Jackson Lee">{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/600/text |title=H. RES. 600: Honoring an American legend and musical icon |first=Sheila |last=Jackson-Lee |date=June 26, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Cafarelli">Brad Cafarelli, "Superstar's musical career had the classic humble start", ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' (November 7, 1988), Section VIII, p. 1, 5.</ref><ref>Joseph Vogel, [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michael-jacksons-forgotten-humanitarian-legacy_b_59c7c8d3e4b08d661550436a Michael Jackson's Forgotten Humanitarian Legacy], ''HuffPost'' (September 24, 2017).</ref> Jackson's early charitable work has been described by ''[[The Chronicle of Philanthropy]]'' as having "paved the way for the current surge in celebrity philanthropy",<ref name="Philanthropy">{{cite web |url=https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Michael-Jackson-and/193257 |title=Michael Jackson and Philanthropy |first=Ian |last=Wilhelm |publisher=[[The Chronicle of Philanthropy]] |date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> and by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' as having "set the standard for generosity for other entertainers".<ref name="Daunt" />

By some estimates, he donated over $500&nbsp;million, not accounting for inflation, to various charities over the course of his life.<ref name="Daunt" /> In 1992, Jackson established his [[Heal the World Foundation]], to which he donated several million dollars in revenue from his [[Dangerous World Tour]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/jacksons-foundation-now-virtually-defunct-wbna4601265 |title=Jackson's foundation now virtually defunct |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=March 25, 2004 |access-date=November 10, 2023}}</ref>

Jackson's philanthropic activities went beyond just monetary donations. He also performed at [[benefit concert]]s, some of which he arranged. He gifted tickets for his regular concert performances to groups that assist underprivileged children. He visited sick children in hospitals around the world. He opened his own home for visits by underprivileged or sick children and provided special facilities and nurses if the children needed that level of care.

Jackson donated valuable, personal and professional paraphernalia for numerous charity auctions. He received various awards and accolades for his philanthropic work, including two bestowed by [[President of the United States|presidents of the United States]]. The vast breadth of Jackson's philanthropic work has earned recognition in the [[Guinness World Records]].<ref name="Daunt" /><ref name="Telegraph-2001">{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399932/He-wont-stop-til-they-get-enough.html |title=He won't stop 'til they get enough |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=January 1, 2001}}</ref><ref name="Guinness">{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/105188-most-charities-supported-by-a-pop-star/ |title=Most charities supported by a pop star |publisher=Guinness World Records |year=2000}}</ref>

On May 14, 1984, President [[Ronald Reagan]] gave Jackson an award recognizing his support of alcohol and drug abuse charities,{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2009|pp=304–307}} and in recognition of his support for the [[Ad Council]]'s and the [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]]'s Drunk Driving Prevention campaign. Jackson allowed the campaign to use "Beat It" for its public service announcements.<ref>{{cite web |year=2003 |title=Drunk Driving Prevention (1983–Present) |url=https://www.aef.com/exhibits/social_responsibility/ad_council/2399/:pf_printable |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509144426/https://www.aef.com/exhibits/social_responsibility/ad_council/2399/%3Apf_printable |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |publisher=Advertising Education Foundation}}</ref>
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