Katherine Jackson

Katherine Esther Jackson (born Kattie B. Screws) is the matriarch of the Jackson family, including pop sensations Michael and Janet Jackson. She spent her childhood in East Chicago, Indiana, where she attended Washington High School and developed an early interest in music.

Katherine first met future spouse Joe Jackson in 1947, and the two wed in 1949. The pair worked together to guide their children into entertainment, first supporting the formation of The Jackson 5 and later continuing to nurture the solo careers of her kids, including Michael and Janet.

Katherine helped craft stage costumes in the early days of The Jackson 5 and remained closely involved with the group after they signed with the acclaimed Motown Records. She later revealed the inner workings of her family’s dynamic in her 1990 memoir, My Family, the Jacksons.

Katherine married Joe in 1949. They shared 10 children: Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Brandon (died in 1957), Michael, Randy and Janet. After Michael died in 2009, Katherine became the legal guardian of his children, Prince, Paris and Bigi. Joe died from cancer in 2018.