The Heartbreaking Final Moments: Jermaine Jackson Reflects on Michael’s Last Words

On June 25, 2009, the world was shaken by the untimely death of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. But for his family, the devastation was far more personal. Jermaine Jackson, Michael’s older brother, recently shared a deeply emotional recollection of their final family gathering and the haunting moments that followed his passing.

The family had come together for a special gathering, a rare occasion when Michael, accompanied by his children, Prince and Paris, joined the rest of the Jackson clan. Jermaine fondly recalls complimenting Michael on a recent performance of his song, “Baby Don’t Make Me Fly Away.” “I told him, I really love your performance on that song,” Jermaine remembers, his voice thick with emotion. Michael’s response, “Jermaine, that means a lot to me coming from you,” highlighted the deep bond between the two brothers.

That evening was filled with laughter, music, and love, as they sang together in harmony. But little did Jermaine know, this would be the last time he would see his brother alive. Michael left for the U.K. to prepare for his highly anticipated O2 concerts, a series of 50 shows that marked his return to the stage. Jermaine, along with the rest of the family, was excited about Michael’s comeback.

Tragically, that excitement turned to horror just days later. Jermaine and his wife, Halima, were on the other side of town when they received the gut-wrenching news from Larry King: Michael had been rushed to the hospital. “I didn’t know anything,” Jermaine recalls. But soon, Janet called, and then an attorney named Joe Katz confirmed the severity of the situation. Jermaine’s world crumbled when he received the devastating news from his mother that Michael was gone.

The emptiness Jermaine felt upon hearing his mother’s voice tremble with grief is something no one should ever experience. Rushing to the hospital, Jermaine and his wife saw the helicopters hovering above and the area around UCLA Hospital blocked off. When he finally entered the building, he went straight to his mother, who was sitting there, lost in her sorrow. “I consoled her and hugged her,” Jermaine shares, “and then I went to see my baby, Michael.”

In the sterile, quiet room, Michael lay lifeless. Jermaine’s voice quivers as he recalls touching Michael’s soft face, kissing his brother’s forehead, and gently pulling back his eyelids to look into his eyes. “I just told him how much I love him, and I’m going to miss you so much.” There, in that room, Jermaine confronted an unimaginable loss, questioning why his brother had to leave, why Michael was taken too soon. “What do you do at a moment like that? What do you say?” Jermaine wonders, grappling with the overwhelming pain of losing a sibling who meant more than just family—he was his closest companion.

As the family faced the harsh reality of Michael’s death, Jermaine reflected on the deep connection he shared with his brother, one forged through years of working side by side in their musical journey. “It’s a different love,” he says, expressing how his bond with Michael transcended that of an ordinary sibling relationship. “I just felt a special connection with him.”

The pain of Michael’s passing was further compounded when Jermaine had to read the official time of death, a task that felt impossible. The legend, the global icon, was gone, but to Jermaine, Michael was more than just a superstar—he was his brother. And no amount of global fame could change the familial love that remained in his heart.

Michael’s legacy, according to Jermaine, was not simply about being a musical genius, but about the profound humanity he exhibited. “He was a person who saw good in everyone,” Jermaine says, his voice filled with admiration. The world witnessed Michael’s devotion to making a difference—whether it was through songs like “We Are the World” and “Heal the World,” or his advocacy for the planet and the most vulnerable members of society. “He was the voice for children,” Jermaine continues, remembering Michael’s tireless efforts to bring attention to issues like hunger and environmental degradation long before they were mainstream concerns.

For Jermaine, Michael’s death wasn’t just a loss to the music world, it was a profound, personal grief. “Whatever about him being Michael Jackson superstar, he’s your brother,” he states, unable to hide the emotional weight of those words. As a family, they grieve not only for the brother they lost but for the larger-than-life figure that belonged to the world, one whose influence and kindness touched billions.

But even in the midst of this unimaginable loss, Jermaine sees Michael’s gift to the world as something irreplaceable. “The joy to make someone happy, to make someone smile through your actions, through what you’re doing, there’s no price for that,” he says, reflecting on the joy Michael spread through his music and generosity. Despite the pain, Jermaine believes Michael’s true legacy lies in the happiness he brought to people’s lives, transcending borders, cultures, and generations.

As Jermaine continues to grapple with his brother’s death, he admits that the pain is ever-present. “It’s very hard because I feel I’ve lost a part of me,” he says quietly. “He belonged to the world.” But amidst the heartache, Jermaine finds solace in knowing that Michael’s message of love, care, and unity will live on forever. Michael Jackson may have been taken from this world too soon, but his spirit continues to inspire, his legacy forever etched in the hearts of millions.

Jermaine’s reflections leave us with a bittersweet reminder that true greatness is not measured by fame or fortune, but by the love and compassion one shares with the world. Michael Jackson’s life, though tragically short, was a testament to that. And as Jermaine so poignantly puts it, “Michael, you’re supposed to be here. You have so many more years left in your life.” Yet, even in his absence, Michael’s presence remains—a beacon of light, love, and hope for all who were touched by him.