Heal the World: Michael Jackson as the King of Charity

Michael Jackson was not only the King where music was concerned, but he was also the King of charity. The Millennium-Issue of the "Guinness Book of Records" named Michael as the Pop Star that supports the most charities. In all, 39 international organizations were named, but Michael was known to give away anonymously and to local charities often, with an estimated $500 million charity donations made in his lifetime.

His most notable charity work came in the form of a song that he co-wrote with Lionel Ritchie in order to help children who lived in countries that were suffering from poverty and civil unrest. "We are the World" was produced by Quincy Jones and performed by Michael and 45 other musicians, friends and actors. The proceeds of the song were donated to those who were starving in Africa.

This led Michael to create the Heal the World Foundation, which was formed to improve the lives of children and teach them how to help others. The foundation helped international charity organizations fight poverty, hunger, cancer, abuse, AIDS, disease, illiteracy and racism. Michael also wrote the flagship song for the organization called Heal The World.

During the History Tour in Bombay, Michael donated the proceeds of his concerts to local hospitals and charities. This is only one example of the many times where Michael would donate proceeds of his concerts to those that were most in need. He also donated his personal items for auction to UNESCO.

In addition, Michael wrote many of his songs to support charity and noteworthy campaigns. His song Gone Too Soon was written in honor of AIDS victim Ryan White, who received a contaminated blood transfusion early on in life. Ironically, White was from Michael's home state of Indiana. All sales of Man In the Mirror went to the Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times for cancer children.

Other famous charities to which Michael donated were the Make A Wish Foundation, the Minority Aids Project, Angel Food, the American Cancer Society and the Society of Singers. While his voice went Platinum many times over in the record world, his heart was golden.