Joe Jackson, the father of Michael and Janet Jackson as well as their famous siblings, died on Wednesday, June 27, at the age of 89. After the news broke, many of the former talent manager’s relatives took to social media to pay tribute to the man who jumpstarted the mega-successful careers of the musical family.
The Jackson family also reacted to the news in a statement to Us Weekly on Thursday, June 28. “We want to thank you for all the support you have shown us as we grieve for the patriarch of our family,” the statement read. “We mourn the loss of our father and celebrate the life of a man who sacrificed so much to give us the life and success we have today. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this time.”
Joe’s daughter La Toya Jackson tweeted, “I will always love you! You gave us strength, you made us one of the most famous families in the world. I am extremely appreciative of that, I will never forget our moments together and how you told me how much you cared. #RIP Joe Jackson.”
I will always love you! You gave us strength, you made us one of the most famous families in the world. I am extremely appreciative of that, I will never forget our moments together and how you told me how much you cared. #RIP Joe Jacksonhttps://t.co/F5UfYjEgYx
— La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) June 27, 2018
Randy Jackson Jr. posted an old black-and-white photo of his grandfather standing next to a framed copy of Michael’s 1979 album, Off the Wall. “RIP to the king that made everything possible!!! I love you grandpa,” the 26-year-old tweeted alongside two black heart emojis.
Another grandson, Taj Jackson (whose father is Joe’s son Tito Jackson), tweeted, “We feel all the love and support from you guys and are extremely thankful.”
We feel all the love and support from you guys and are extremely thankful 🙏🏽
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) June 27, 2018
In a second post, the 3T singer, 44, fought back against the trolls who criticized Joe in the wake of his death for being a strict disciplinarian when the Jackson kids were young. “Disgusted by some of the comments I’m reading about my grandpa Joe by those who didn’t even know him,” he tweeted. “Please don’t just regurgitate what you were spoon fed by the press. Joe was loved by our ENTIRE family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve without the nastiness. #ripthehawk.”
Disgusted by some of the comments I’m reading about my grandpa Joe by those who didn’t even know him. Please don’t just regurgitate what you were spoon fed by the press. Joe was loved by our ENTIRE family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve without the nastiness.#ripthehawk
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) June 27, 2018
Michael’s son Prince Jackson posted a touching message on Instagram: “This man is and always will be an example of sheer willpower and dedication. He didn’t choose the path that was the easiest but he choose the path that was best for his family. You taught me to take pride in the Jackson name and what it really means, you taught me dedication in the face of adversity and most of all you showed me strength and fearlessness. There is and never will be someone like you. Fly free and until we meet again The Hawk.”
A rep for John McClain and John Branca, the co-executors of Michael’s estate, confirmed the news of Joe’s death in a statement to Us on Wednesday morning: “We are deeply saddened by Mr. Jackson’s passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Katherine Jackson and the family. Joe was a strong man who acknowledged his own imperfections and heroically delivered his sons and daughters from the steel mills of Gary, Indiana, to worldwide pop superstardom. … We had developed a warm relationship with Joe in recent years and will miss him tremendously.”
A source told Us earlier in the week that Joe had been battling cancer for some time, but took a turn for the worse in the past few days. “Everyone in the family, from Paris to Janet, is planning to see him,” the insider said at the time. “He can still talk and communicate at this point. He’s very weak.”
Us Weekly will update this story with more tributes from the family as they become available.
