Katherine Jackson: The Matriarch Behind the King of Pop and a Music Dynasty

Katherine Jackson is more than just the mother of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. She is the heart and soul of the Jackson family, the quiet yet powerful matriarch whose strength, faith, and unwavering support helped shape one of the most influential families in music history.

Early Life and Marriage

Born Kattie B. Screws on May 4, 1930, in Clayton, Alabama, she later changed her name to Katherine Esther Scruse. As a child, she contracted polio, leaving her with a permanent limp, a condition she never allowed to limit her resilience.

Her family relocated to East Chicago, Indiana, where she met Joseph “Joe” Jackson. The couple married in 1949 and would go on to have ten children, nine of whom survived: Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Michael, Randy, and Janet.

Building the Jackson Legacy

In the modest home at 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana, Katherine was the center of a bustling household. While Joe pushed the children to pursue music professionally, Katherine was the nurturer, sewing costumes, harmonizing with the kids, and providing emotional balance in a household driven by ambition.

When the Jackson 5 exploded onto the Motown scene in the late 1960s, Katherine remained the family’s steady anchor. As Michael Jackson’s fame skyrocketed in the ’80s, and as Janet Jackson carved out her own legacy, Katherine continued to support her children from the sidelines, rarely seeking the spotlight.

A Devoted Mother and Jehovah’s Witness

A devout Jehovah’s Witness, Katherine instilled discipline, humility, and faith into her children, even as they were thrust into global superstardom. Her quiet strength became a refuge for her children amid the pressures of fame, public scrutiny, and family tensions.

Despite the controversies that occasionally rocked the Jackson family, including allegations and legal battles involving Michael and rifts among the siblings, Katherine remained the peacemaker, someone her children and grandchildren continued to turn to for wisdom and stability.

Following Michael Jackson’s sudden death in 2009, Katherine stepped in as the legal guardian of his three children, Prince, Paris, and Blanket (now known as Bigi). Even in her later years, she remained committed to preserving her son’s legacy and ensuring the well-being of his children.

Over the decades, Katherine has filed lawsuits defending her family’s name and legacy, including legal action against AEG Live after Michael’s death. Her public appearances are rare, but when they happen, they are treated with deep reverence, a reflection of her role not only within her family but in pop culture history.