Tito Jackson, brother of the late Michael Jackson and co-founder of the Jackson 5, has died. He was 70 years old.
His family made the stunning announcement Sunday.
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us,” Tito’s sons TJ, Taj and Taryll said in a statement on Instagram. “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken.”
While an official cause of death has yet to be determined, Steve Manning, former Jackson family manager, told Entertainment Tonight, he believed the pop icon died of a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma on Sunday.
Tito, born Toriano Adaryll “Tito” Jackson in October 1953 and the third of 10 children, was the least-heard member of the Jackson 5 as he was a backup singer and played guitar for the group, while his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael were more prominently featured.
During their time as the Jackson 5, the family produced several No. 1 hits in the 1970s including “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There.” They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Tito was last seen in Munich, Germany, on September 9, prior to a scheduled performance with his brothers Jackie and Marlon Jackson. The trio have two more performances left on their 2024 tour, however it’s unclear how The Jacksons will handle the upcoming shows.
“Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as ‘Coach Tito’ or some know him as ‘Poppa T.’ Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another.’ We love you Pops,” his sons wrote on their own music group’s Instagram page.
It is devastating to hear the news about Tito Jackson. May he rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in knowing that so many people are thinking of them during this extremely difficult time.
Emma Heming Shares Emotional Video of Bruce Willis Following Dementia Diagnosis
Following his diagnosis with aphasia, a condition that disrupts communication, actor Bruce Willis has largely stayed out of the public eye. His family has been candid about his condition, revealing that he has frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and continues to keep fans updated on his health journey.
Rumer Willis, Bruce’s daughter, took to social media to express the family’s gratitude: “We want to start by thanking everyone for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and the wonderful stories we have received since sharing Bruce’s initial diagnosis. With that in mind, we wanted to provide an update on our beloved husband, father, and friend, now that we have a clearer understanding of his condition.”
She added, “Since we disclosed Bruce’s aphasia diagnosis in spring 2022, his condition has progressed, leading to a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (FTD).”
As Bruce’s cognitive abilities continue to decline, his medical team is doing all they can to make his life more comfortable. Emma Heming, Willis’ wife, is working closely with a dementia specialist to ensure that the Die Hard star receives the best possible care. “My grief can be paralyzing, but I’m learning to coexist with it. As my stepdaughter, Scout Willis, reminded me, grief is the purest form of love. I hope that brings you some comfort too,” she shared in 2022.
Recently, Emma discovered a new Instagram feature that showcases past photos and videos. She shared a memory of Bruce from a year ago, where he is seen praising her, with the caption: “What’s this new Memory feature on IG!? Omg, my biggest fan. I’m so in love with him.”
In the video, Bruce is heard expressing his admiration for Emma’s skincare brand, Cocobaba.
Before the family publicly disclosed Willis’ diagnosis, his colleagues observed that he was struggling to remember his lines. A crew member from his recent film, White Elephant, remarked: “It wasn’t a matter of annoyance but more about protecting Bruce’s dignity. Someone would feed him a line, and he struggled to grasp its meaning. He was just being guided along.”
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