Full of life, just 2 days from death

Rehearsals....Michael Jackson performs on stage

HE looks in incredible form strutting his stuff on stage — but two days later Michael Jackson was dead.

These pictures are thought to be the last taken of the tragic superstar.
He was rehearsing for the gigs at London’s O2 starting next month.

This Is It lighting display is behind him as he pulls off an impressive high-energy routine.
A source who watched Jacko’s final rehearsal in LA said: “Michael was in better form than for years.
"He was preparing for what would have been an absolutely incredible show.
“He was laughing and joking with his dancers. He seemed to have so much energy — it’s hard to believe that 48 hours later he was dead.”
Photographer Kevin Mazur, who took the shots, said: “When he hit the stage I was thrilled that the magical Michael Jackson was back.”

Billion dollar beggar

Michael Jackson

MICHAEL Jackson owed at least $300million when he died... and had been begging banks to lend him more money.
On paper, Jacko had assets worth $1.3billion - almost all tied up in his 50 per cent ownership of The Beatles' back catalogue with Sony Records.
But he was unable - or unwilling - to sell his share.
Financial papers seen by The Sun show Jacko was desperately seeking to borrow $43million in late 2007.
And we can reveal he signed his deal with O2 concert promoter AEG at that time in a bid to persuade the bankers he was good for the cash.

Black and White ... Jacko's assets and debts

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Jacko had been having difficulty getting a loan because a series of defaults on previous lending had left him with a disastrous credit rating.
The King of Pop's score was 447 - among the worst two per cent of all Americans.
One expert said: "Below 500 is pretty disastrous."
Royalties
The documents reveal the 50-year-old's moneymen claimed his comeback gigs at London's O2 Arena would generate a "guaranteed" $38.5million.
But they added there was the potential for the star to earn another $300million.
A source said: "He signed up for the live comeback about 18 months ago and told lenders he could make $300million.
"But the pressure of knowing what it would take to fulfil his promise could have helped kill him."
The documents seen by The Sun were produced to support a loan application for his Neverland ranch.
He also had a mortgage on his parents' home in Encino.
The papers also reveal Jacko was pulling in $33million a year in royalties.
In 2006 he pocketed $9million from his own songs and a staggering $24million from the Beatles hits.
As well as the back catalogue - worth around $1.15billion - Jacko valued his personal collection of cars, antiques and other collectibles at $20million.


He also had $668,215 in cash, $10.6million held in reserve to pay interest on his loan on Neverland, other property assets of £73million, including the Neverland ranch and parents' home in Encino, archive material worth $20million, song rights worth $85,000,000 and professional equipment worth $1million.
But he owed almost $300million to a private New York hedge fund, Fortress Investment Group.
There was also an outstanding mortgage on Neverland of $23million, one on the Encino home of $4million and another loan of $4million.
It gave him a net worth - on paper - of just over $1billion.
Jacko's business expertise had been hailed back in 1985 when he picked up the back catalogue - along with thousands of other songs - for $46million.
But just a decade later Michael was forced to sell half to Sony as his lavish lifestyle - and litigation - caught up with him. In 1994 he had been forced to settle a child molestation suit for $20million.

Legendary
Jacko's spending was legendary - he was dubbed "a millionaire who lived like a billionaire".
He became famous for blowing millions on glitzy videos.
For his 1995 album HIStory he shot a video in Hungary that featured real Hungarian soldiers.
A 35-minute film called Ghosts cost a reported $15million. He spent $8million a year on plane charters and hired Hollywood star Marlon Brando for a video for $1million.
His personal expenses were put at an amazing $7million.
The deal with AEG was supposed to mark the comeback and leave Jacko back in the black.
But the promise proved too much - and contributed to the superstar's death.
Jackson's $1billion fortune will now be the subject of a bitter legal tug-of-war.