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Joe Jackson “Not Out of the Woods” After His Heart Stopped Three Times, Publicist Says

Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson

On Sunday, July 26, Joe Jackson was hospitalized after a serious health scare. A publicist for the famed Jackson family patriarch, whose children include Janet Jackson and the late Michael Jackson, spoke to Us Weekly about the incident, which occurred on Joe's 87th birthday. 

"Yesterday in Sao Paolo Joe had a stroke and then his heart stopped," the publicist says. He was at an event and he was "feeling light-headed and dizzy," so he went to the hospital to be checked out. "They found out there was something wrong with his eye," the publicist tells Us. "There was an artery that burst behind it." Doctors kept him to run some tests, during which time his heart stopped. 

According to the publicist, Joe's heart stopped for 10 seconds before he was revived. He never made it to his birthday party. 

"He had one stroke and then his heart stopped three times," the publicist notes. "I don’t know if they’re calling that a heart attack, but officially they said one stroke and his heart stopped three times."

Joe had a temporary pacemaker inserted on Sunday night, before a permanent pacemaker was inserted on Monday. 

After the scare, he released a statement on his website, writing, “To my family, friends, acquaintances and fans all over the world. I want to thank you all for your prayers, unwavering support and kind well wishes during these trying times. Through God’s intervention the wonderful Doctors, Nurses and caretakers at the Albert Einstein Sao Paulo hospital have taken great care of me. God willing, I should be able to make a quick recovery and travel back home soon. Thank you all once again for your prayers and support.” He did not mention the heart problems that landed him in the hospital. 

Related: PHOTOS: Michael Jackson's most unforgettable moments

"So far he’s doing okay, but he’s not out of the woods yet,” the publicist adds, noting that the family wants to move Joe back to the States for treatment as soon as possible. 

Related: PHOTOS: Recent celeb deaths

Joe has suffered three previous strokes, including one in November 2012. 

“He started having symptoms two days before [on Friday], and they were like, 'You should see somebody,'" the publicist said. "A doctor came and said, 'You’re okay, just get some rest,' and then he started feeling dizzy again, and that’s when they said, 'Nope, you need to go to the hospital.'"

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