They were America’s musical royalty. From the moment the Jackson 5 burst onto the scene with their infectious energy and pitch-perfect harmonies, they captured the heart of a nation. They built a dynasty that produced the single greatest entertainer the world has ever known, Michael Jackson. Yet, behind the platinum records, the sold-out stadiums, and the legendary name lies a deeply fractured and tragic story—a tale of financial ruin, bitter jealousy, and a family that, despite its incredible legacy, has been plagued by hardship and dysfunction.

While Michael ascended to a level of superstardom that remains unmatched, many of his siblings were left struggling in his shadow. Their lives became a cautionary tale of faded fame, marked by bankruptcy, legal troubles, and humiliating falls from grace. How did a family that reached the pinnacle of success find itself so broken? For many, the answer lies in the complex dynamics that defined them from the start, a web of rivalry and resentment that only intensified after they lost their biggest star.

The passing of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, was a global event, a moment of collective grief for a talent lost too soon. But for his family, it was the loss of their center of gravity. In the years since, while his estate has generated immense wealth, the lives of his brothers have often told a very different story—one of struggle, dependence, and the constant, crushing weight of living up to an impossible standard.

For the oldest siblings, Jackie and Marlon, the post-Jackson 5 era has been a mixed bag of modest success and humbling reality. Jackie, a founding member of the group, dabbled in a solo career and later transitioned into producing and running small record labels. While he continues to perform with his brothers and engages in quiet philanthropy, his life is a far cry from the superstardom of his youth. His wealth is described as relatively modest, a stable but quiet existence outside the blinding spotlight that once defined his family.

Marlon’s journey has been even more precarious. Known as the group’s primary choreographer, his attempt at a solo career with the album Baby Tonight failed to make an impact. Though he found some success in the 1990s as a co-founder of the minority-owned Major Broadcasting Cable (MBC) Network, the venture was eventually sold. The harsh reality of his financial situation became painfully public in 2008, when reports surfaced that he was seen working as a shelf-stocker in a San Diego supermarket. The image was a shocking symbol of how far a Jackson had fallen, a stark reminder that a famous last name is no guarantee of lasting fortune.

If Jackie and Marlon’s stories represent the slow fade of stardom, the lives of Jermaine and Randy are a testament to a far more dramatic and destructive collapse. Jermaine, who for a time was the other lead singer of the Jackson 5, had the most solo success of any brother besides Michael. Yet his life has been a relentless cycle of financial catastrophe, largely fueled by personal turmoil.

His bitter divorce from Alejandra Genevieve Oaida—the former partner of his own younger brother, Randy—unleashed a torrent of legal and financial woes. Despite earning a reported $450,000 for an appearance on the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother, Jermaine repeatedly claimed he had no income when faced with child support obligations. At one point, he was ordered to pay $80,000 in overdue payments and famously expressed his frustration by declaring, “I’m not rich like Michael.”

The hypocrisy reached a peak when he faced potential jail time for failing to pay $12,000 in child support, all while having recently spent $160,000 on a new Ferrari. His financial irresponsibility became so severe that his mother, Katherine Jackson, reportedly began providing him with a monthly allowance of $12,000, sourced directly from her stake in Michael’s estate. He was, in effect, being supported by the ghost of the brother he often seemed to resent.

Randy, the youngest brother, has had a life marked by even darker chapters. After a serious car accident derailed his solo ambitions, his life spiraled into a series of legal and personal crises. In 1991, he was charged with battery for assaulting his wife and their infant daughter, leading to a probation sentence he failed to complete. He was later sentenced to 30 days in a mental hospital. By 1996, his financial situation was so dire that he was forced to file for bankruptcy. His troubles didn’t end there; in 2001, he pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud for failing to disclose a $21,000 sports car as an asset.

But the financial and legal struggles are only one part of the family’s tragic story. The true source of their dysfunction lies in the deep, unhealed wounds of sibling rivalry and betrayal. The most explosive chapter is the love triangle that tore Jermaine and Randy apart. Randy had been in a long-term relationship with Alejandra Oaida, and they had two children together. But in 1995, in an act of staggering betrayal, Jermaine secretly married her.

The decision devastated Randy and created a rift between the brothers that has never fully healed. The family matriarch, Katherine, reportedly never warmed to Alejandra, treating her more like hired help than family. The animosity ran so deep that when the Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jermaine was openly distressed at the thought of having to share a stage with the brother he had so profoundly wronged.

Even Michael’s relationship with his beloved younger sister, Janet, was not immune to this toxicity. Though they were incredibly close as children, Janet revealed in a recent documentary that as they grew older, Michael could be cruel, often fat-shaming her and making hurtful comments about her appearance. It was a heartbreaking admission that showed that even the most cherished bonds in the Jackson family were susceptible to the pressures of fame and insecurity.

Today, the Jackson legacy is a kingdom divided. While Michael’s music and influence remain eternal, the family he left behind continues to grapple with the consequences of their fractured past. As one fan aptly put it, “No wonder Michael distanced himself a little from his brothers. It sounded like too much drama.” The story of the Jacksons is a poignant reminder that fame is not a shield from pain, and fortune cannot buy unity. It is the story of a dynasty that gave the world so much joy, yet could never seem to find lasting peace for itself.