Michael Jackson Facts!

His crown may have slipped somewhat in recent years, but there's still a lot of love for Jackson around the world.

Skin diseases, child molestation charges, baby dangling and cosmetic surgery aside, there's a lot to celebrate about the man nicknamed Wacko Jacko.

So here's a few facts, stats and figures about Jackson that may have passed you by:

1. Jackson's Billie Jean was the first video by a black artist to air on MTV.

2. Jackson's waxwork features in five Madame Tussauds museums across the world. Only Elvis Presley and Madonna have more Tussaud figures - they have six each.

3. Jackson's total lifetime earnings from royalties, solo recordings and music videos, revenue from concerts and endorsements have been estimated at $500 million (#271 million).

4. Jackson has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one for radio play, located at 1541 Vine Street, and one for recording at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard.

5. Jackson received a Presidential Humanitarian Award from Ronald Reagan in 1984 for his support of charities helping people overcome alcohol and drug abuse.

6. Michael Jackson is the seventh of nine children.

7. Jackson fought fellow 50 year old Madonna on MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch - he lost.

8. Three of Jackson's albums - Bad, Dangerous and Thriller - are among the bestsellers of all time.

9. Thriller remains the biggest-selling album since records began.

10. Jackson has sold more than 300 million records worldwide.

11. Jackson wears his trademark black armband to remind fans of the suffering of children around the world.

12. Jackson's favourite superhero is Morph from the X-Men.

13.Jackson picked up his iconic moonwalk moves, which he debuted at the Motown 25th Anniversary show in 1983, from streetdancers he spotted performing outside a hotel.

14. MC Hammer once challenged Jackson to a dance-off. He was told to Beat It. Jackson reportedly responded, "I've seen your videos and every single dance move you use, you got off of me."

15. Little Richard wanted Jackson to play him in a biopic.

16. Bubbles the chimp and Ben the rat are two of Jackson's most famous pets, but he also befriended a ram called Mr Tibbs, a python called Crusher and Louie the llama.

17. An obsessed French Jackson superfan committed suicide in 1984 after his mother refused to allow him to undergo surgery to look like the star.

18. In 1984, a U.S. library accused Jackson of owing it over $1 million in overdue book fines. Officials said they would scrap the fines if he returned the books autographed.

19. Jackson dedicated his 1997 Blood On The Dancefloor album to Sir Elton John.

20. Jackson is a vegetarian.

Michael Jackson and the number 7 (courtesy of TMZ):

-- Michael Jackson signed his will on 7/7/02.
-- Michael Jackson's memorial was on 7/7/09...exactly 7 years after the will was signed.
-- Michael Jackson's two biggest hits -- "Black & White" and "Billie Jean" -- were each #1 for 7 weeks.
-- Michael Jackson's three biggest albums -- "Thriller," "Bad" and "Dangerous" -- each produced 7 top 40 hits.
-- Michael Jackson was born in 1958 ... 19 + 58 = 77
-- Michael Jackson died on the 25th ... 2 + 5 = 7
-- Michael Jackson has 7 letters in his first and last name.