Michael Jackson's musical career peaked in 1982, with Thriller...The album went platinum a record-breaking 28 times.
But when the king of pop failed to outdo that success, his personal life began to nosedive.
In 1988, the precocious child star turned childlike adult bought a 2,600 acre ranch he called Neverland for 17 million dollars. The name refered to the magical place in the legend of Peter Pan where children never grow up.
Michael Jackson's pronounced affection for children raised questions. In the early 1990s it was revealed Jackson allowed children to sleepover at the ranch..soon, allegations emerged that the star slept with them in the same bed.
Throughout the years Jackson was plagued by a number of sexual molestation allegations, and is suspected of having inappropriately touched several children. The majority of those children repeatedly denied being abused by the performer, though in one case in 1993 Jackson settled a suit out of court for 22 million dollars.
The rumors culminated in a 14 week trial in 2005. By then the star's image was thoroughly tainted, and the media frenzy focused as much on his appearance as on the allegations. In the end the accuser was not considered credible, and Jackson was acquitted on all 14 charges.
After the trial the King of pop left Neverland...never to return.