Media both in the US and here in Spain are reporting the death from cardia carrest of pop icon, Michael Jackson, at the age of 50.  The news has now been confirmed by CNN, CBS and the BBC, after receiving information from the LosAngeles coroner's office. 

Emergency services were called to his home in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, wherethe 'King of Pop' had apparently suffered a heart attack and was not breathing. 

Emergency CPR was performed and he was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, but was allegedly in a coma when he arrived.  US newspapers report that attempts to save his life failed and he was pronounced dead before he could be taken into an operating theatre. 
 
Born in 1958 in Gary, Indiana, Michael Jackson was quickly pushed into the limelight as the obvious star of the Jackson Five, the singing group put together by his father, Joseph, with five of the Jackson sons.

The Jacksons quickly graduated from local talent shows to the national stage. They signed to Motown Records and enjoyed a string of hits that included "ABC" and "I'll Be There." But life under their hard-charging father and manager took its toll, and Michael had anything but a normal childhood.

After striking out on his own, Michael Jackson's fame grew. His 1982 solo album 'Thriller' is one of the best-selling albums in history, with estimated worldwide sales of over 50 million copies.

He is survived by three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II.