Michael Jackson, the enigmatic, legendary and irreplaceable King Of Pop, has died. He was 50 years old.

Jackson is reported to have died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home. Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times that paramedics responded to a 911 call at 12:26 p.m. He wasn't breathing when paramedics arrived, and was pronounced dead after being rushed to the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The star had been rehearsing for a massive comeback tour that was planned to kick off with a sold-out, 50-show stint at London's O2 Arena.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, the seventh child born into a family of six boys and three girls. He started performing at 11 as a member of The Jackson 5, and would grow up to become one of the biggest selling solo artists of all time and the undisputed King of Pop. His legacy was tarnished by child abuse claims later in his career, and his ever changing appearance and odd behavior made him something of an alien being to the rest of us. But he was always Michael, always head and shoulders above the rest. He was, and will remain, the standard - the highwater mark for superstar performers.

He recorded what still stands as the biggest-selling album of all time, Thriller, but Jackson had faced serious financial problems in recent years as sales withered. He recently faced foreclosure on his famed Neverland Ranch until he managed to refinance the mortgage on the 270-acre estate. Analysts said he could've made more than $200 million from this summer's concerts in London.

Michael Jackson leaves behind three children and a musical legacy our grandchildren's children will know about. And if we're lucky, the brilliant art will overshadow the struggles of the artist. There will only ever be one Michael Jackson. Long live the King.