Michael, the humanitarian

“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.”  Michael Jackson

Heal the world performance at Super Bowl XXVII 1993

Michael Jackson: The Philanthropist Behind the Icon

Michael Jackson is often remembered as the King of Pop, but beyond his revolutionary music and legendary performances, he was one of the most dedicated humanitarians the world has ever known. While his visits to hospitals and orphanages are well known, little is said about how he pioneered the use of fame as a tool for humanitarian efforts. His philanthropy was not a side project, it was a lifelong mission. Rather than listing every act of generosity (because there are too many to count), I want to highlight the most significant ways in which Michael used his platform to help the world.

When discussing Michael’s humanitarian work, it is essential to understand who he was as a person. Beyond his desire to help others, he possessed a rare and profound sensitivity to suffering. Despite his global fame, he never detached himself from the struggles of ordinary people.

“I realise that many of our world’s problems today, from the inner city crime, to large scale wars and terrorism, and our over-crowded prisons, are a result of the fact that children have had their childhood stolen from them. The magic, the wonder, the mystery and the innocence of a child’s heart are the seeds of creativity that will heal the world. I really believe that.”

From an early age, Michael demonstrated immense empathy. Growing up in a poor neighbourhood, he witnessed difficulties firsthand. Even as a child, he used his earnings with the Jackson 5 to buy food, toys, and candy for underprivileged kids in his community. As his fame grew, he visited orphanages and hospitals, performing free shows and offering support without media attention. These were early signs of a lifelong commitment to philanthropy.

Music as a Force for Change

Michael’s greatest contribution to the world was his music. He didn’t just create hits, he wrote songs with the power to inspire social change. We Are the World became a global anthem to fight hunger in Africa, while Man in the Mirror, Heal the World, and Earth Song carried messages of unity, environmental awareness, and justice. He even donated all profits from these projects to charity, using his music as both a voice and a vehicle for change.

Beyond these anthems, he sought to use his art to shed light on injustices. In They Don’t Care About Us, he directly addressed social and systemic inequalities, filming one version of the music video in a Brazilian favela to highlight the realities of poverty. Every song with a message was an act of philanthropy in itself, because Michael believed in the power of art to transform society.

Large-Scale Philanthropy

Michael’s charitable efforts extended far beyond music. After suffering burns during a Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984, he donated his $1.5 million settlement to fund a burn unit at Brotman Medical Center. That same year, he gave up the rights to Beat It for an anti-drunk driving campaign without accepting payment. In the late ‘80s, he actively supported Camp Good Times for children with cancer, not only donating money but also dedicating entire days to personally spending time with them.

During the Bad Tour, he visited hospitals worldwide, making donations and personally comforting sick children. In 1992, for the Dangerous Tour, he insisted that all proceeds go to charity, leading to the creation of the Heal the World Foundation. Through this initiative, he funded vaccines, education, and disaster relief efforts. He also provided direct aid in Africa, financing schools, hospitals, and housing. On top of that, during the Bosnian War, he arranged a massive shipment of food, medicine, and clothing to Sarajevo, making sure to include toys for children affected by the conflict.

Jackson's visit to a children's hospital in Australia, 1987.

Despite devoting his life to helping others, Michael Jackson was unjustly hounded by the tabloid media, dehumanised, ridiculed, and falsely accused, all in the name of profit and sensationalism. The media’s endless appetite for stories about this extraordinary yet often misunderstood man led to his unfair treatment and defamation. An innocent soul, who spent his life spreading joy, healing, and hope, was subjected to unimaginable scrutiny. Still, he never fought back. He persevered. He kept giving. He kept loving. But why?

Because Michael’s faith never wavered. He always expressed gratitude to God for his talents and achievements, relying on his faith during life’s toughest times, even when the world turned its back on him.

Despite facing immense challenges in the 2000s, Michael never abandoned his humanitarian work. After the 9/11 attacks, he organised the United We Stand concert and recorded What More Can I Give to support victims’ families. He funded HIV/AIDS programs in Africa, contributed to tsunami relief efforts in 2004, and donated to those affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Despite constant media scrutiny, he still set a Guinness World Record as the pop artist who donated the most to charity, over $300 million, excluding his private contributions to families and individuals.

The Personal Impact

What made Michael truly exceptional was not just the scale of his giving but the personal connections he formed with those he helped. He supported Ryan White, a young boy with AIDS, covering medical expenses and dedicating Gone Too Soon to him after his passing. In Hungary, he saved the life of Bela Farkas, an orphan in need of a liver transplant, funding his treatment for nearly a decade. One of the most heartbreaking cases he was involved in was that of Craig Fleming, a toddler whose mother threw him off a bridge. Michael attended the funeral, brought awareness to the tragedy, and ensured financial support for the surviving child.

Michael Jackson with Ryan White.

Even when he faced financial struggles later in life, his desire to help never faded. A former bodyguard shared how Michael once drove through a poor neighbourhood in Los Angeles, anonymously handing out money to people from his car. When he ran out of cash, he regretted not having more to give. Years after his passing, it was revealed that he had planned to create the Michael Jackson Children’s Hospital, designed as a space where sick children could heal in a joyful environment. He also dreamed of establishing music schools in Africa to give children artistic opportunities.

A Legacy of Kindness

Philanthropy is often associated with grand gestures, but Michael showed it through both large contributions and countless acts of kindness. His compassion was as immense as his talent. While many artists use their influence for personal gain, Michael consistently used his for the benefit of others, often at great personal cost.

Michael Jackson showed us that true greatness is not measured by wealth or fame, but by the impact we have on others. His legacy is not just that of an extraordinary musician, but of a man whose greatest gift was his unwavering desire to heal the world.

If we take anything from his life, let it be this: that we all have the power to make a difference. Whether through music, philanthropy, or simple acts of kindness, we can continue his mission of making the world a better place.

I encourage you to look deeper into his humanitarian work. Learn from it. Be inspired by it. And most importantly, carry it forward. Because the world still needs healing, and we all have a part to play.

Michael taught us that true greatness is not measured by what we have, but by what we give. His light still shines. Now, it’s up to us to carry his legacy forward.

Thank you, Michael.