In death as in life Michael Jackson remained a high profile, if highly private and enigmatic artist.
While questions about what contributed to his death and what will become of his three children and legally complicated estate could take from weeks to years to answer.
It's clear that "the man in the mirror," as he referred to himself in one song was sometimes as much a mystery to those closest to him as, perhaps, to himself.
A secret library of more than 100 songs recorded by Jackson will be released after his death on Friday, according to his biographer and the same guy who said Jackson was diagnosed with what could be a fatal disease last year.
Ian Halperin, author of Jackson's biography "Unmasked, the Michael Jackson Story," said before his unexpected death, "I was astonished by the number of songs which have been held back. I was told that he will not let them come out now but wants to leave them for his kids, a very personal legacy to them."
In a September 1984 interview with Jackson's brother Jermaine in Denver, Colorado for the 55-concert Jackson 5 "Victory Tour," the King of Pop was described as "very, very private – even with his brothers."
"We all grew up performing in public," Jermaine said at the time. "None of us had what you would call normal childhoods. But it has affected Michael a lot differently, I think. He is very, very private, even with us. I like to go out and mix. So do (other brothers) Tito, Jackie, Randy and Marlon."
Jermaine also admitted that Jackson's talent was what ultimately drove the Jacksons to success and because of his higher profile he was perhaps paying a higher price.
"He is the star," said Jermaine. "The rest of us can go anywhere without many problems. I think he wishes sometimes he could too."
It is rumored that Jackson was over US$400 million in debt when he died, and some believe the true figure may be much higher.
(Global Times June 29, 2009)
