by When people think of Michael Jackson, they immediately associate him with his iconic music, legendary dance moves, and status as the undisputed “King of Pop.” However, Jackson was far more than just a musical artist – he had a wide array of personal interests that demonstrated his curious, creative mind. Beyond his immense talents in music and dance, Jackson pursued passions in art, business, education, games, health and fitness, technology, animals, and more. He approached each new subject with boundless enthusiasm, constantly seeking to expand his knowledge and express himself through diverse avenues. This well-roundedness is what truly defined Jackson as the renaissance man that he was.
Art & Craft
Jackson had a deep appreciation for art from a young age. He would often visit art museums and study masterworks by great painters. This nurtured his natural artistic talents, which he channeled into designing elaborate costumes, choreography, album covers, and music videos. Jackson was known to personally sketch concepts for his iconic looks, ensuring each detail was perfectly realized. He collected sculptures and paintings by renowned artists like Andy Warhol. Jackson even tried his hand at creating sculptures himself, molding clay figures in his Neverland Ranch art studio. His artistry extended beyond the visual – he wrote poetry and composed music in his free time as well. Crafting was another hobby, as Jackson enjoyed model making, woodworking, and other hands-on projects. Through art, he found creative outlets beyond his core career in music.
Business & Finance
While Jackson may not have had formal business education, he was undoubtedly a shrewd businessman and top-tier dealmaker. From a young age, he negotiated contracts for himself and his brothers in the Jackson 5. As a solo artist, Jackson took full control of his business affairs. He founded his own production company, MJJ Productions, allowing him independence and ownership of his work. Jackson negotiated record-breaking deals with Sony for album releases. Through savvy investments, he amassed a personal fortune estimated at over $500 million at one point. Beyond music, Jackson also founded the successful record label MJJ Music. He understood the financial side of the entertainment industry inside and out. This business acumen, combined with his artistic talents, made Jackson a true mogul and pioneer who left an indelible mark on the music business model.
Education & Knowledge
Despite not finishing high school, Jackson had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and self-education. He surrounded himself with books on diverse topics like science, history, art, religion and more. Jackson was known to immerse himself in reading for hours at a time. He studied different languages to better understand global cultures. Jackson conducted in-depth research for his music, performances, and philanthropy. He even took college-level science courses later in life to fuel his interests. Jackson believed education should be accessible to all, and he financially supported educational charities. He saw learning as a lifelong pursuit that enriched one’s mind and broadened their worldview. With his natural intellect and dedication to self-improvement, Jackson was always expanding his mind regardless of formal schooling.
Games & Technology
As a child, Jackson loved playing arcade and video games in his free time. This interest carried into adulthood as he installed an elaborate arcade at Neverland Ranch. Jackson was an early adopter of gaming consoles and stayed up-to-date with the latest releases. He immersed himself in games for hours to unwind. Jackson’s fascination extended to technology as well. He was intrigued by innovations in robotics, computers, virtual reality, and more. He accurately predicted trends like music videos, online shopping, virtual assistants and the mobile revolution in interviews decades before they emerged. Jackson believed technology could enhance entertainment and connect people globally. His enthusiasm for gaming and futuristic concepts positioned him at the forefront of digital culture well before most recognized its potential impact.
Health & Fitness
To achieve superhuman feats on stage, Jackson dedicated himself to a rigorous health and fitness regimen. He trained daily with martial arts, stretching, cardio, and weightlifting. Jackson followed a largely vegetarian, low-sodium, high-protein diet. He avoided alcohol and drugs, instead fueling his body with nutrition. Jackson practiced meditation for mental clarity. He studied anatomy, biomechanics, and the limits of the human body. Jackson pushed himself to new physical thresholds, but did so in a sustainable way by balancing exercise with rest and recovery. His commitment to wellness was unparalleled. Even in his final years, Jackson maintained a fit physique through discipline. His health-focused lifestyle allowed him to perform at the peak of human ability well into his 40s.
Animals & Conservation
Jackson had a deep love and respect for animals since childhood. He kept many exotic pets at Neverland Ranch, including elephants, giraffes, snakes, and his beloved chimpanzee Bubbles. Jackson treated all animals with utmost care and affection. He educated himself on proper habitat requirements and veterinary care. Jackson advocated for animal welfare, donating millions to conservation efforts. He spoke out against poaching and the exotic pet trade. In later life, Jackson adopted a plant-based diet partly due to his compassion for animals. Some of his best friends were animals he bonded with. Jackson saw humanity in all creatures great and small. His dedication to animal rights ahead of his time demonstrated his big heart and commitment to environmental protection.
Future Vision & Philanthropy
Jackson was fascinated by futuristic concepts and constantly envisioned the emerging technologies that could reshape society. He accurately predicted innovations we take for granted today in interviews during the 80s and 90s. Jackson dreamed of a more united, equitable world. He financed medical facilities, schools, orphanages and disaster relief in impoverished regions through his Heal the World Foundation. Jackson believed in using his platform to uplift humanity. He advocated for environmental sustainability, diversity, and children’s rights. In his final years, Jackson worked to build a sprawling complex called “Jacksonland” to be an amusement park, hospital, and wildlife sanctuary – a vision of the future that sadly remained unrealized. Even so, Jackson left his philanthropic mark by donating hundreds of millions to charitable causes throughout his career. He exemplified using one’s gifts and fame to better the lives of others.
In Summary
While Michael Jackson redefined pop music and dance globally, his true brilliance stemmed from being a Renaissance man with boundless curiosity and creativity across diverse fields. He pursued knowledge through self-education, immersed himself in hobbies like art and gaming, built a business empire, pushed his health to superhuman levels, cared deeply for animals, accurately predicted technologies, and financially supported humanitarian causes. Jackson approached each new interest with passion, dedication and visionary thinking that positioned him far ahead of his time. He leaves a legacy as one of the most gifted, curious and multi-faceted creative geniuses of all time whose influence spanned well beyond the music industry. Through his diverse passions, Jackson demonstrated how one person can excel and leave their mark through continual learning, big dreams and using their platform to uplift others. He was truly one of a kind.
