What Happened to Michael Jackson’s Monkey?

Michael Jackson’s Chimpanzee Bubbles Was Long One of the World’s Most Famous Pets Photo: Getty Images

Even though it has been quiet around chimpanzee “Bubbles” for a long time, the primate is probably the most famous ape in the world. Bubbles owes his fame to his former owner, Michael Jackson, who kept the animal since the 1980s and traveled the world with him.

Chimpanzee Bubbles was like a child to Michael Jackson

For nearly two decades, chimpanzee “Bubbles” lived with Michael Jackson and traveled the world with him. When the “Thriller” singer wasn’t on tour, he lived with the primate on his legendary Neverland Ranch. The ape is even said to have mastered the legendary “Moonwalk,” one of the trademarks of the “King of Pop.” “Bubbles was like a first child to Michael when he didn’t have his own yet,” a longtime friend of Jackson told the BILD newspaper (part of Axel Springer, like PETBOOK).¹

Bubbles is said to have been present even at important business meetings, providing much amusement, at least for his owner Michael Jackson. Former “Bravo” chief Alex Gernandt recalls a bizarre situation. “In 1988, two top Pepsi managers were sitting with Michael in a hotel when Bubbles pelted them with kiwis and mandarins. Millions were being negotiated. Michael found it all amusing.”

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Michael Jackson gave up the chimpanzee in 2003

The cohabitation of Bubbles and Michael Jackson came to an abrupt end in 2003. After the singer became a father, situations reportedly arose where the animal no longer listened to his owner. Out of concern that the ape might attack the children or otherwise become a danger, the chimpanzee was given away. Since 2005, Bubbles has lived at the “Center for Great Apes” in Florida, described by the BILD newspaper as a “retirement home for Hollywood apes.”

Now, at 42 years old, Bubbles is a mature male ape in his prime, weighing about 185 pounds. In his “new” home, he is the leader of his chimpanzee group. Although he is generally described by the caretakers as rather shy and reserved, he continually surprises with his very playful nature. He is now known for gently splashing visitors with water or playfully throwing a handful of sand at them to tease.²

The Picasso among apes

But that’s not his only hobby. Bubbles is considered a talented painter. Some even go so far as to call him the Picasso among apes. This is partly due to his colorful artworks, which are considered surprisingly expressive, and partly because he only gives up the canvas when he is truly finished. But where does his enthusiasm for painting come from? “Apes are very capable of learning and very strong in imitation,” explains animal psychologist and behavior therapist Michael Benke in an interview with BILD.

“In some ways, they are superior to us in terms of reflexes and what they can perceive with their senses.” He continues, “Let’s assume the ape had a trainer, or Michael Jackson himself had an interest in painting. Then it’s quite possible that the ape picked up painting if they did it together often.”

Wherever Bubbles’ love for painting may come from, there’s one thing the chimpanzee doesn’t have to worry about. His canvases and food are provided for life from Michael Jackson’s estate. This is truly a blessing, as the care of a chimpanzee alone costs over $30,000 a year.