Michael Jackson, the entertainer who went from childhood superstardom to the so-called "King of Pop" before his life and career deteriorated in a series of scandals, has died at the age of 50 after a reported heart attack.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home and CPR was performed. He was then rushed to the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was reportedly comatose. According to CBS News, paramedics worked to resuscitate Jackson for 42 minutes.

Jackson's troubled life included unimaginable success and wealth. His "Thriller" album sold more than 25 million copies and is the best-selling album of all time. His record sales total is estimated to be around 750 million. He earned 13 Grammy Awards.

But his health had been a source of worry for his fans for years, he faced a huge legal battle over accusations of child abuse and his fortune disintegrated later in his career with the threat of him losing his California estate.

He had been attempting a comeback after years of tabloid headlines and was rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out shows in London beginning next month. Jackson had won the backing of two billionaires for his return to the stage, according to the Los Angeles Times. Jackson, a strict vegetarian, was using a wheelchair a year ago but was exercising with a trainer and participating in daylong rehearsals with dancers half his age in preparation for the tour, reports the Times. Promoters of the shows said in March that he had passed a lengthy physical examination.

"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news," said Quincy Jones, a longtime friend of Jackson's and producer of his "Thriller" album. "For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. ... I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

Jackson had lived a reclusive lifestyle since his 2005 acquittal on allegations he molested children while they were staying at his "Neverland" ranch. He lived for a time in Bahrain.

Born August 1958 in Gary, Ind., with his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito, he started performing when he was a child and spent years with the "Jackson Five."

His first solo album arrived in 1972 and in 1982 came his "Thriller" work, which eventually produced seven Top 10 singles.

He was married in 1994 to Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis's only child, but it ended in divorce two years later. It took him only months to remarry, choosing Debbie Rowe, a doctor's assistant. They never lived together but had two children before splitting in 1999.

He later had a third child, Prince Michael II, who joined Prince Michael I and Paris Michael.

Twitter, the social network engine, was ablaze with Jackson "Tweets." An hour after his death, seven of the top 10 trending topics were about him.

He was adored by fans for his music, his dancing and his personality – besides "Thriller," his blockbuster productions included "Off the Wall," "Billie Jean" and "Bad."

But he was studied by others for his bizarre behavior, including his routine entertaining of children overnight.

That behavior was ratcheted up in his later years, when his eccentricities and personal life grew to be obstacles to his career.

According to USA Today, his life apparently turned when he was filming a Pepsi ad and a fireworks accident set his hair on fire.

His health became an increasing subject of reports, especially as his obvious fascination with plastic surgery grew. He had several surgeries on his nose, his lips and even his chin.

At the same time, his skin grew significantly lighter, and rumors attributed this to skin bleaching. Those rumors, however, were laid to rest later when he was diagnosed with vitiligo, a skin disorder.

While he was acquitted of the sexual abuse charges brought by a 13-year-old boy, he settled a civil case with the family for $22 million.

He turned the title to his 2,500-acre Neverland, which had an amusement park and zoo of exotic animals, over to a company when he went into default on the $24.5 million owed, but he later was bailed out by an investment company that bought the debt.

He's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as part of the Jackson 5 and as a solo performing. He's had 13 solo No. 1 hits and four more with his brothers.

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