Selling millions of albums, achieving success as one of the greatest Motown musical groups of all time, and even being a sibling to the King of Pop himself, hasn't spared the brothers of the Jackson 5 from plunging to the depths of near poverty.
According to a story in the New York Post, "...one brother is stocking groceries, another repairing cars and others living at home with mom while hoping for sister Janet's next handout."
The Jackson 5 back in the day sold more than 100 million albums (second only to the Beatles) while pioneering a multimedia empire that spanned radio, TV, cartoons and magazines.
Where are the brothers now? According to the Post:
Marlon, 51, stocks shelves at a Vons supermarket in San Diego.
Randy, 46, does odd jobs including fixing cars in a Los Angeles garage owned by a family friend.
Jackie, 56, manages his son Siggy's aspiring rap career.
Jermaine, 54, shuttles back and forth from his girlfriend's home in Ventura County, Calif., to his parents' mansion in Encino, where Jackie and Randy still live.
Tito, 55, is the only brother still making music, but it's a meager living. The guitarist fronts a blues and jazz band that plays small venues and nets him $500 and $1,500 per occasional gig.
Little sister Janet, 41, is the biggest star in the family at the moment. She is still recording albums. In fact, all three sisters are doing well: Janet is said to be worth upward of $150 million, while La Toya, 52, is a millionaire. Rebbie, 57, the oldest, has been married for more than 35 years to a successful businessman she met in Gary, and the two live in an exclusive Las Vegas enclave.
As for what happened to the family fortune, it's speculated that the loss is due to "bad investments, poor advice, bankruptcy, stubborn pride, divorces, IRS debt, child support and a brother, Michael, who would rather give $1 million to Marlon Brando than do a concert tour or record to help make his brothers whole again."
"Michael was not going to work with the family again," said Frank DiLeo, the manager who oversaw Michael Jackson's ultra-successful "Bad" album and tour. "He was concerned only about building his legacy. He had to be bigger than Elvis."
The Post says all the details came from a "series of interviews with three of the nine Jackson children, two relatives and a current and former employee".
For the full story, go to the New York Post.
