While Michael Jackson is celebrated worldwide as the King of Pop, his personal life reveals a lesser-known yet deeply held value: family above all else.

Close collaborator and sound engineer Matt Forger, who worked extensively with Jackson from the Thriller era through Bad, Dangerous, and HIStory, offers poignant insight into the superstar’s true priorities.

In a revealing anecdote shared in a Lifetime article titled The Untold Story of Michael Jackson’s Devotion to His Children, Forger recalls a moment when he needed to cancel a professional commitment to care for his own child.

Jackson’s response was emphatic and heartfelt: “Matt, the most important thing is family.” This simple but powerful statement encapsulates how Jackson viewed life beyond the glare of the spotlight.

Forger’s experience is particularly credible given his long tenure alongside Jackson during some of the artist’s most prolific creative periods. His reflections paint a picture of a man who fiercely protected his family’s privacy, deliberately shielding his children from the intrusive media attention that surrounded his public persona.

Jackson rarely brought his children into the studio, reinforcing the boundary between his professional and private worlds.

Further underscoring this separation, Forger explained, “Part of how Michael viewed his children was that he wanted them to be part of the private life as opposed to part of the other life that is out there.” This protective stance highlights a core value Jackson held—keeping his family’s well-being insulated from fame’s often harsh realities.

Additional sources, including the Michael Jackson Wiki and The MJCast, affirm Forger’s close relationship with Jackson and corroborate his observations.

Together, these accounts form a comprehensive picture of a man whose devotion to family was foundational, often guiding his choices amid the pressures of global superstardom.

In conclusion, Michael Jackson’s legacy is not only defined by groundbreaking music and unparalleled performances but also by a profound commitment to family.

Matt Forger’s testimony offers a touching glimpse into how Jackson navigated his towering fame while keeping those he loved closest to his heart—and always first.

— Article based on firsthand accounts by Matt Forger and supporting sources including Lifetime, Michael Jackson Wiki, and The MJCast.